Cross-Border Consumer Disputes in Victoria

In light of Martin’s post about Jonathan Hill’s new book on Cross-Border Consumer Contracts, it’s worth noting a recent decision of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (the main forum for small claims and consumer disputes in Victoria) that VCAT does not have jurisdiction over foreign persons or companies because the VCAT Act does not permit service outside the jurisdiction: Apollo Marble and Granite Imports Pty Ltd v Industry + Commerce (Civil Claims) [2008] VCAT 2298 (14 November 2008).