Arabey, E.A. The definition of “consumer” in the law of the European Union

Abstract: The article on definition of “consumer” in the European Union law concerns analysis of legal norms, judicial practice and legal doctrine concerning this issue. The author provides analysis of a historic aspect of formation of the term “customer” in the EU law. The author then points out plurality of definitions of “customer” in the legislations of the EU, as well as the use of similar terms, such as “passenger”, “patient”. The article analyzes characteristic features of a customer and customer deals, provides examples of the practice of the Court of Justice of the European Union, which influenced the formation of the term “customer” and classification of customer deals. The author also analyzes the differences in the approaches towards the term “customer” in the national legislations of the EU Member States and in the supranational legislation of the European Union. Finally, the author draws a conclusion on the substantial elements of the term “customer” in the EU law and customer deals in the law of the EU.

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