Cross-Border Consumer Disputes in the Digital Marketplace: Rethinking Jurisdiction and Law in Global E-Commerce Governance
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61978/legalis.v3i4.1122Keywords:
Cross-Border E-Commerce, Jurisdiction, Applicable Law, Consumer Protection, Private International Law, Rome I Regulation, Hague ConventionAbstract
Cross-border e-commerce has created unprecedented opportunities for global trade but also introduced complex legal challenges regarding jurisdiction and applicable law in consumer disputes. This article explores how legal systems particularly those of the European Union (EU), the United States (US), ASEAN, and Indonesia govern jurisdiction and applicable law in business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce transactions. Using a doctrinal and comparative legal method, the study analyzes key instruments such as the Brussels I Recast, Rome I and II Regulations, Hague Conventions of 2005 and 2019, and relevant national laws. Case law from the CJEU and US courts is used to illustrate doctrinal interpretations, with attention to the targeting test, forum-selection enforceability, and protection of consumer rights. Procedural tools such as the Hague Service and Evidence Conventions are also examined. Findings reveal that while the EU offers a harmonized, consumer-focused regime, enforcement across borders remains inconsistent. The Hague 2019 Convention presents a pathway toward enforceability but requires broader ratification. The US system emphasizes contractual freedom, often limiting consumer protections. Regional efforts, particularly in ASEAN and Indonesia, demonstrate varied progress in legal harmonization. Jurisdictional ambiguity, enforcement gaps, and fragmented legal standards continue to affect legal certainty in cross-border e-commerce. The article concludes that harmonized jurisdictional and applicable law standards, coupled with technological and institutional innovation, are necessary to ensure consumer protection and support legal predictability in global digital markets.
References
Andrian, A., & Lie, G. (2024). IUS Constituendum of Cross-Border Insolvency Regulation in Asean (Analysis of the Uncitral Model Law on Cross-Border Insolvency and the European Union Regulation on Insolvency Proceedings). Eduvest - Journal of Universal Studies, 4(6), 4754–4765. https://doi.org/10.59188/eduvest.v4i6.1400 DOI: https://doi.org/10.59188/eduvest.v4i6.1400
Ariyaratna, B. A. R. R. (2021). Consumer Dispute Resolution in B2C E-Commerce in Sri Lanka: A Comparative Legal Analysis. Proceedings of International Conference on Business Management, 17. https://doi.org/10.31357/icbm.v17.5262 DOI: https://doi.org/10.31357/icbm.v17.5262
Ayunda, R. (2022). Personal Data Protection to E-Commerce Consumer: What Are the Legal Challenges and Certainties? Law Reform, 18(2), 144–163. https://doi.org/10.14710/lr.v18i2.43307 DOI: https://doi.org/10.14710/lr.v18i2.43307
Gugava, N., Kobaladze, L., Kenia, T., & Kobakhidze, O. (2024). A Comparative Analysis of Data Protection in E-Commerce B2C Contracts in Georgia and the European Union. Review of European and Comparative Law, 59(4). https://doi.org/10.31743/recl.17216 DOI: https://doi.org/10.31743/recl.17216
Harahap, S. K. (2024). The Role of Private International Law in Resolving Disputes in Global Commerce. Global, 2(11), 2714–2724. https://doi.org/10.59613/global.v2i11.368 DOI: https://doi.org/10.59613/global.v2i11.368
Hoek, A. A. H. v. (2024). Industrial Action in Private International Law. European Labour Law Journal, 15(1), 102–122. https://doi.org/10.1177/20319525241227836 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/20319525241227836
Hörnle, J. (2021). Consumer Protection and Jurisdiction. 331–368. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780198806929.003.0010 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780198806929.003.0010
Igbinenikaro, E., & Adewusi, A. O. (2024). Developing International Policy Guidelines for Managing Cross-Border Insolvencies in the Digital Economy. International Journal of Management & Entrepreneurship Research, 6(4), 1034–1048. https://doi.org/10.51594/ijmer.v6i4.983 DOI: https://doi.org/10.51594/ijmer.v6i4.983
Lutzi, T. (2017). Internet Cases in Eu Private International Law—Developing a Coherent Approach. International and Comparative Law Quarterly, 66(3), 687–721. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0020589317000240 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0020589317000240
Majeed, N., Hilal, A., & Khan, A. N. (2023). Doctrinal Research in Law: Meaning, Scope and Methodology. Bbe, 12(4), 559–563. https://doi.org/10.61506/01.00167 DOI: https://doi.org/10.61506/01.00167
Obioha, O., & Masumbe, P. S. (2023). An Assessment of the Adequacy of Online Consumers’ Protection Laws: Understanding the Realities and Mirage. E-Journal of Humanities Arts and Social Sciences, 1472–1480. https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.20234136 DOI: https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.20234136
Pakadang, G. M., & Muryanto, Y. T. (2024). Application of Federated Learning for Smart Agriculture System. Journal of Legal Subjects, 43, 36–47. https://doi.org/10.55529/ijitc.43.36.47 DOI: https://doi.org/10.55529/ijitc.43.36.47
Pradhan, D., & Haris, H. (2021). Religious Tolerance in Multifaith Democracies: A Comparative Legal Study of Indonesia and India. Jurnal Ilmiah Hukum Legality, 29(1), 46–62. https://doi.org/10.22219/ljih.v29i1.14694 DOI: https://doi.org/10.22219/ljih.v29i1.14694
Putra, A. A., Kurniawan, K., & Hirsanuddin, H. (2024). Implementation of Legal Protection for Consumer Rights in Business Transactions via E-Commerce Platforms. Journal of Law and Regulation Governance, 2(2), 161–170. https://doi.org/10.57185/jlarg.v2i2.39 DOI: https://doi.org/10.57185/jlarg.v2i2.39
Sargsyan, T. (2016). The Privacy Role of Information Intermediaries Through Self-Regulation. Internet Policy Review, 5(4). https://doi.org/10.14763/2016.4.438 DOI: https://doi.org/10.14763/2016.4.438
Umar, F., Puluhulawa, F. U., & Wantu, F. M. (2023). Penyelesaian Sengketa Konsumen Dalam Transaksi Cross Border E-Commerce Sebagai Upaya Memberikan Perlindungan Hukum. The Juris, 7(2), 438–444. https://doi.org/10.56301/juris.v7i2.1050 DOI: https://doi.org/10.56301/juris.v7i2.1050
Voltornist, O. S. (2024). Results of the Hague Conference on Private International Law on the Unification of Jurisdiction Rules in Private International Law. Uzhhorod National University Herald Series Law, 4(85), 220–225. https://doi.org/10.24144/2307-3322.2024.85.4.32 DOI: https://doi.org/10.24144/2307-3322.2024.85.4.32
Wiraguna, S. A., Sulaiman, A., & Barthos, M. (2024). Implementation of Consumer Personal Data Protection in Ecommerce From the Perspective of Law No. 27 of 2022. Journal of World Science, 3(3), 410–418. https://doi.org/10.58344/jws.v3i3.584 DOI: https://doi.org/10.58344/jws.v3i3.584
Wolde, M. H. t. (2022). Balancing Consumer Rights and Business Interests in Online Cross-Border Consumer Contracts. Journal of Central Banking Law and Institutions, 1(1), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.21098/jcli.v1i1.11 DOI: https://doi.org/10.21098/jcli.v1i1.11
Yokomizo, D. (2024). ILA Guidelines on Intellectual Property and Private International Law. The Korean Journal of International and Comparative Law, 12(1), 87–96. https://doi.org/10.1163/22134484-12340189 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/22134484-12340189
Yussof, I., Muin, N. F. A., Mohd, M., Hatah, E., Tahir, N. A. M., & Shah, N. M. (2023). Breast Cancer Prevention and Treatment Misinformation on Twitter: An Analysis of Two Languages. Digital Health, 9. https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076231205742 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076231205742
Zelst, B. v., & Besouw, D. L. V. (2021). Private International Law Aspects of Arbitrator Liability: A European Perspective Post-Brexit. Journal of International Arbitration, 38(Issue 6), 723–760. https://doi.org/10.54648/joia2021034 DOI: https://doi.org/10.54648/JOIA2021034
Zhang, J. (2017). On China Online Dispute Resolution Mechanism. International Journal of Online Dispute Resolution, 4(1), 14–31. https://doi.org/10.5553/ijodr/235250022017004001002 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5553/IJODR/235250022017004001002
