Section 16 in The Consumer Protection Regulations, 2005
16. Appearance of Voluntary Consumer Organisations - (1) Recognised Consumer Organisations have a right of audience before the Consumer Forum.
(2)An authorisation of a Voluntary Consumer Organisation may be by way of special power of attorney executed on a non-judicial paper or even on plain paper duly attested by a Gazetted Officer or a Notary Public.(3)The Power of Attorney holder shall be entitled to engage a counsel, if authorised to do so.(4)A Voluntary Consumer Organisation can engage a counsel or an advocate of its choice or it can itself represent through one of its office bearers as per the rules governing it.(5)In case of a complaint where the Voluntary Consumer Organisation is a complainant alongwith the consumer himself and the dispute affects the complainant individually, he can withdraw the complaint:Provided that if the issue involves unfair trade practice or restrictive trade practice, a Voluntary Consumer Organisation may continue to proceed with the complaint even if the complainant wishes to withdraw the same.(6)A Consumer Forum has to guard itself from touts and busybodies in the garb of power of attorney holders or authorised agents in the proceedings before it.(7)While a Consumer Forum may permit an authorised agent to appear before it, but authorised agent shall not be one who has used this as a profession:Provided that this sub-regulation shall not apply in case of advocates.(8)An authorised agent may be debarred from appearing before a Consumer Forum if he is found guilty of misconduct or any other malpractice at any time.
