The Consumer Protection Approach in Kazakhstan

Abstract

The paper explores current theoretical and practical challenges on the way to improve consumer protection in Kazakhstan in the existing environment. Kazakhstan consistently implements reforms to improve the national consumer protection system, given the growing public demand for better quality services in many areas of life. The entire consumer protection system is now being restructured to secure consumer rights based on here and now principle. Theoretical conclusions and proposals for improving consumer protection legislation and law enforcement practices were based on the research findings. More specifically, new administrative, judicial, blended protection approaches, enhancing consumer protection efficiency, were suggested following generalization of European practice. The study revealed common EU approaches to transition from the conventional administrative approach to a blended consumer legal protection approach. The research findings suggested that consumers may be protected only with the effective cooperation of all state bodies and consumer organizations.

Legal Problems of Mediation as an Alternative Way to Resolve Disputes in the Republic of Kazakhstan

“…In Germany, mediation began to develop rapidly due to the activities of the courts, which were directly involved in the promotion of mediation and the procedure itself. In this regard, such terms appeared as "mediation in court"when mediation is conducted by an independent mediator at the suggestion of the court, "judicial mediation" -when mediation is conducted by a judge, as well as "out-ofcourt mediation"mediation by an independent mediator on the basis of a contract (Sultanova & Ilyassova, 2022).…”