11 Bar Of Indian Lawyers Through its President Jasbir Singh Malik vs. D.K. Gandhi PS National Institute of Communicable Diseases
2024 Live Law (SC) 372
14th May, 2024
Advocates — Professionals — Highly skilled — Success depends on various factors — Cannot be compared with business — Cannot be held for deficiency of service. [S. 2(1)(o), Consumer Protection Act, 1986]
FACTS
The Appellant, an advocate was hired by Mr. DK Gandhi (Respondent) for legal services. Disputes arose between them and the Respondent filed a consumer complaint before the district forum for deficiency in services. The District forum decided the complaint in favour of the respondent. The State Commission held that the services of lawyers /advocates did not fall within the ambit of “service” defined under section 2(1)(o) of the CP Act, 1986. The NCDRC, however in the Revision Application preferred by the respondent passed the impugned order holding that if there was any deficiency in service rendered by the Advocates / Lawyers, a complaint under the CP Act would be maintainable.
Being aggrieved by the said impugned order passed by the NCDRC, the