On 10 March 2011 the ACCC accepted an undertaking under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010(Cth) from Patterson Cheney Pty Ltd in relation to alleged misrepresentations made by the Victorian car retailer.

Outline in your own words the history of this matter (briefly) and discuss why the ACCC took action against Patterson Cheney and detail what particular section of the law the ACCC alleged Patterson Cheney breached (including the ACL equivalent provision).

Discuss also:

1. whether you agree that the ACCC should have taken action against Patterson Cheney and why (for example, whether the ACCC or rather a competitor of Patterson Cheney should have taken action, and what social good the ACCC was trying to achieve with this action); and 

2. whether in your opinion the way the matter was resolved (ie, by undertaking) is beneficial for the protection of Australian consumers and why.(You should also refer to other cases to illustrate your argument here).

Assignment

1) The assignment is worth 30%.

2) If you do not submit the assignment by the due date, your final examination will comprise 100% of your assessment. If you submit your assignment by the due date your examination will comprise 70% of your assessment. 

3) The word length for the assignment is 2,500 words. 

4) You will be assessed on the following criteria:

a) Extent to which you answer the question

b) Understanding and accuracy of the law & issues

Due dates, penalties and marking

1. All assignments are due by Friday 12 August 2011. This is the due date and cut off time. 

2. Extensions will only be granted where the student has suffered serious disadvantages, eg, serious  illness or family death of a close relative, and a written application to the campus lecturer is required.

All applications for extension of submission must be lodged with the campus lecturer before the 12  August. No assignment can be taken back once it is submitted. Assignments submitted after the  12August will not be marked. These students will be required to take a 100% exam.

3. All assignments must be submitted to DSO. It is every student's own responsibility to ensure that his/her DSO submission is correct and has been successful. See paragraph 4 below- hard copy submission also required.

4. All students who choose to write the optional assignment must also submit a printed hard copy of their assignment. On campus students must submit their printed hard copy to the Faculty assignment submission box by the cut off date. Off campus students must mail their printed hard copy to Assignment Tracking, DSA, Deakin University, Geelong Victoria by the cut off date.

5. Assignments are usually returned with comments within 15 working days after 12 August.