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UBC Theses and Dissertations

Matter or mirage? : The public policy rationale for section 9 of the fair trading act 1986 (N.Z.) Hall, Christopher Brian

Abstract

The two main points of this thesis are; first, that section 9 of the Fair Trading Act 1986 (New Zealand) has a particular public policy rationale; and, secondly, that, because of drafting inadequacies and of improper approach by the courts, that rationale is not being properly advanced. The first of the writer's theses is that the Act is inadequately drafted. The public policy rationale is identified and seen to be four-fold. The two principal elements are; one, to advance efficiency in the marketplace; and, two, protect consumers, especially those who are less able to protect themselves from the effects of misleading or deceptive conduct. It is determined that efficiency and consumer protection are not always consistent goals but that they are in this particular context of provision of information. It is seen that there are at least three deficiencies in the Act that inhibit promotion of those two limbs of the policy rationale. The writer's second thesis is that the courts have failed to recognise and give effect to the policy rationale for section 9 and have, instead, imported principles developed under the tort of passing off. The public policy rationale for passing off is examined. It is concluded that it primarily owes both its existence and its scope to the interests of traders. The approach of the courts in New Zealand, and those in Australia under their virtually identical section 52 of the Trade Practices Act, is examined and it is seen that passing off principles are imported in at least five areas. The practical effects of the deficiencies in the legislation and in the approach of the courts are identified by a law and economics analysis and by considering nine possible variations of a hypothetical fact example. The result is confirmation that the drafting inadequacies and the approach of the courts together cause reduction of efficiency and disadvantaging of consumers.

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