Chapter IV - Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
Section 56
Section 56: Transitional provision
Section 56 preserves the earlier service regime for the President and members appointed immediately before Finance Act, 2017 section 177 commenced.
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This article is for general information. Refer to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 official text for the official provisions. If you need professional advice for your situation, contact Bizeneed.
Statutory text
Bare law
The President and every other member appointed immediately before the commencement of section 177 of the Finance Act, 2017 (7 of 2017) shall continue to be governed by the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 (68 of 1986) and the rules made there under as if this Act had not come into force.
Introduction
For a legacy appointment, obtain the appointment record and compare its date with the Finance Act commencement before applying the 1986 Act and its rules.
Key takeaways
What the section does
Section 56 preserves the earlier service regime for the President and members appointed immediately before Finance Act, 2017 section 177 commenced.
Operational response
For a legacy appointment, obtain the appointment record and compare its date with the Finance Act commencement before applying the 1986 Act and its rules.
Important boundary
This is a narrow transitional rule about office holders. It does not revive the 1986 Act as the general law for new consumer complaints.
When the provision matters
Section 56 preserves the earlier service regime for the President and members appointed immediately before Finance Act, 2017 section 177 commenced.
This is a narrow transitional rule about office holders. It does not revive the 1986 Act as the general law for new consumer complaints.
Practical response
For a legacy appointment, obtain the appointment record and compare its date with the Finance Act commencement before applying the 1986 Act and its rules.
Decision points and records
Place the original appointment instrument and its governing 1986 rules in the case chronology.
Do not use a later complaint date to decide which appointment rules governed the office holder.
Example
A party raises a membership issue involving a person appointed before the 2017 transition; counsel checks the original appointment rather than applying today’s recruitment terms automatically.
Official sources
Practical checklist
Do
- Preserve appointment and continuation records for a legacy office holder.
- Place the original appointment instrument and its governing 1986 rules in the case chronology.
Avoid
- Do not infer that every current National Commission member remains under the 1986 service rules.
- Do not use a later complaint date to decide which appointment rules governed the office holder.
Illustrative example
Section 56 in practice
A party raises a membership issue involving a person appointed before the 2017 transition; counsel checks the original appointment rather than applying today’s recruitment terms automatically.
Identify the statutory trigger
Section 56 preserves the earlier service regime for the President and members appointed immediately before Finance Act, 2017 section 177 commenced.
Preserve the key record
Place the original appointment instrument and its governing 1986 rules in the case chronology.
Apply the limit
This is a narrow transitional rule about office holders. It does not revive the 1986 Act as the general law for new consumer complaints.
Outcome
- For a legacy appointment, obtain the appointment record and compare its date with the Finance Act commencement before applying the 1986 Act and its rules.
Glossary
- National Commission
- The national consumer dispute redressal forum under Chapter IV of the Act.
- Transitional provision
- A rule preserving the prior legal regime for a specified class of pre-existing appointments.
Frequently asked questions
Does this section govern all cases started before the 2019 Act?
No. Its subject is the service conditions of the specified pre-transition President and members, not the filing date of complaints.
What date matters under section 56?
The decisive class is the President and members appointed immediately before Finance Act, 2017 section 177 commenced.
Need help applying this provision to your situation?
Contact BizeneedLast updated 10 October 2026