Christine Riefa
Professor of Law
Teaching
Commercial Law, Law and technology, and Legal Skills.Background
Prof. Christine Riefa is leading the project Cross-border enforcement of consumer law (full info: www.crossborderenforcement.com) She is a consumer law expert with international expertise. She has advised governments on reform of consumer laws in different hemispheres. She is widely published with work cited in official documents from international institutions (incl. The World Economic Forum, UNCTAD, the European Parliament, the OECD) and academic scholarship. She is currently working on a monograph (under contract with Cambridge University Press) on Consumer Protection and Global E-commerce.Professional bodies/affiliations
- She currently serves on the United Nations Working Group on Consumer Protection in E-Commerce (sub-groups on unfair commercial practices and sub-group on cross-border enforcement) as part of the UNCTAD Inter-Governmental Group of Experts.
- She is also a member of the Consultative Group of Experts of the Committee for the development of an International Code for the Protection of Tourists at the World Tourism Organisation (A specialised agency of the United Nations).
- She was the expert to the Rapporteur on the General Product Safety Regulation at the European Economic and Social Committee.
- She is a Board Member of the International Association of Consumer Law.
- She is a founding editor of the Journal of European Consumer and Market Law (EuCML, published by Beck and available on Kluwer).
Selected publications
- Vulnerable Consumers in the Digital Single Market (forthcoming, European Business Law Review 2022)
- Consumer Law and the Internet (with Anna Medvinskaia) in Gringras: The Laws of the Internet (6th ed., Bloomsbury Professional 2022)
- Coronavirus as a Catalyst to Transform Consumer Policy and Enforcement (Journal of Consumer Policy 2021)
- Vulnerable Consumers and the Law (co-edited with Séverine Saintier) (Routledge 2021)
- Consumer Theories of Harm, an economic approach to consumer law enforcement and policy making (co-authored with Paolo Siciliani and Harriet Gamper) (Hart 2019)
- Consumer Protection and Online Auction Platforms (Routledge 2016)
Publications
-
Riefa, C.
ORCID: 0000-0001-8561-1537
(2022)
Consumer law and the internet.
In:
Lambert, P.
, (eds.)
Gringras: The Laws of the Internet. 6th edition.
Bloomsbury Professional
, London.
pp.
499-554.
ISBN:
9781526517845
|
doi:
https://dx.doi.org/10.5040/9781526517876.chapter-007
-
Riefa, C.
ORCID: 0000-0001-8561-1537
(2022)
Protecting vulnerable consumers in the digital single market.
European Business Law Review
, 33
(4).
pp.
607-634.
ISSN:
0959-6941
|
doi:
https://dx.doi.org/10.54648/eulr2022028
-
Riefa, C.
ORCID: 0000-0001-8561-1537
and
Nika, P.
(2022)
Electronic Payments and Consumer Protection.
In:
Lodder, A.
and
Murray, A.
, (eds.)
EU Regulation of E-Commerce: A Commentary.
Elgar Commentaries series
Edward Elgar
, Cheltenham.
pp.
386-426.
ISBN:
9781800372085
|
doi:
https://dx.doi.org/10.4337/9781800372092.00020
-
Riefa, C.
ORCID: 0000-0001-8561-1537
(2022)
Digital content contracts.
In:
Garben, S.
,
Gormley, L.
,
Purnhagen, K.
, (eds.)
Encyclopaedia of European law.
Oxford University Press
, Oxford.
-
Riefa, C.
ORCID: 0000-0001-8561-1537
(2021)
Consumer law enforcement as a tool to bolster competition in digital markets: a case study on personalized pricing.
Competition and Consumer Protection Policies for Inclusive Development in the Digital Era.
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
United Nations
, Geneva.
pp.
15-29.
ISBN:
9789210058582
(UNCTAD/DITC/CPLP/2021/2)
- Riefa, C. and Marcel, E. , eds. (2021) Consumer Protection and electronic commerce: protection against unsafe products bought online.. In: Riefa, C. , (eds.) Parlement européen , Bruxelles. pp 172.
-
Riefa, C.
ORCID: 0000-0001-8561-1537
(2020)
The protection of vulnerable consumers in the digital age.
- Riefa, C. (2020) Consumer Protection on Social Media Platforms: Tackling the Challenges of Social Commerce. In: Synodinou, T. , Jougleux, P. , Markou, C. , Prastitou, T. , (eds.) EU Internet Law in the Digital Era. Springer , Cham. pp. 321-345. ISBN: 9783030255787 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-25579-4_15
- Riefa, C. (2020) Beyond electronic commerce: some reflections on the regulation of the harmful effects of social commerce (media). Revista de Direito do Consumidor , 127 (29). pp. 281-303. ISSN: 1415-7705
-
Riefa, C.
ORCID: 0000-0001-8561-1537
(2020)
Coronavirus as a catalyst to transform consumer policy and enforcement.
Journal of Consumer Policy
, 43
(3).
pp.
451-461.
ISSN:
1573-0700
|
doi:
https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10603-020-09462-0
- Riefa, C. and Saintier, S. , eds. (2020) Vulnerable consumers and the law: consumer protection and access to justice. Routledge , Oxon. pp 280. ISBN: 9780367204686 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781003104650
- Riefa, C. and Gamper, H. (2020) Economic theory and consumer vulnerability: exploring an uneasy relationship. In: Riefa, C. and Saintier, S. , (eds.) Vulnerable consumers and the law: consumer protection and access to justice. Markets and the Law Routledge , Oxon. pp. 17-30. ISBN: 9780367204686
- Riefa, C. and Saintier, S. (2020) In search of (access to) justice for vulnerable consumers. In: Riefa, C. and Saintier, S. , (eds.) Vulnerable consumers and the law: consumer protection and access to justice. Markets and the Law Routledge , Oxon. pp. 1-16. ISBN: 9780367204686
- Riefa, C. and Saintier, S. (2020) The way forward: for an 'inclusive' access to justice to protect vulnerable consumers. In: Riefa, C. and Saintier, S. , (eds.) Vulnerable consumers and the law: consumer protection and access to justice. Markets and the Law Routledge , Oxon. pp. 244-259. ISBN: 9780367204686
- Siciliani, P. , Riefa, C. , Gamper, H. (2019) Consumer Theories of Harm: An Economic Approach to Consumer Law Enforcement and Policy Making. Consumer Theories of Harm. Hart Publishing , Oxford. pp 248. ISBN: 9781509916856 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.5040/9781509916887
- Riefa, C. (2019) The REFIT process in the area of consumer protection: odds stacked against consumers. In: van Schagen, E. and Weatherill, S. , (eds.) Better regulation in EU contract law: the fitness check and the new deal for consumers. Studies of the Oxford Institute of European and Comparative Law , 29. Hart Publishing , Oxford. pp. 13-36. ISBN: 9781509928354 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.5040/9781509928385.ch-002
- Clausen, L. and Riefa, C. (2019) Towards fairness in digital influencers’ marketing practices. Journal of European Consumer and Market Law , 8 (2). pp. 64-74. ISSN: 2364-4710
- Riefa, C. (2018) EU payment surcharges rules lacking teeth: evidence from empirical studies into the control of surcharges in the EU and UK travel industry. European Law Review , 43 (3). pp. 343-365. ISSN: 0307-5400
- Riefa, C. and Willett, C. (2018) Enforcement and Effectiveness of Consumer Law in the UK. In: Micklitz, H. and Saumier, G. , (eds.) Enforcement and Effectiveness of Consumer Law. Ius Comparatum - Global Studies in Comparative Law , 27. Springer , Cham. pp. 673-695. ISSN: 2214-6881 ISBN: 9783319784304 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-78431-1_28
- Riefa, C. , eds. (2017) The challenge of protecting EU consumers in global online markets. In: Riefa, C. , (eds.) The European Consumer Organisation pp 64.
- Riefa, C. (2017) G20 consumer summit on building a digital world consumers can trust. Journal of European Consumer and Market Law , 6 (3). pp. 124-129. ISSN: 2364-4710
- Riefa, C. (2017) Directive 2009/110/EC on the taking up, pursuit and prudential supervision of the business of electronic money institutions and Directive 2015/2366/EU on the control of electronic payments in the EU. In: Lodder, A. and Murray, A. , (eds.) EU regulation of e-commerce: a commentary. Elgar commentaries Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd. , Cheltenham. pp. 146-176. ISBN: 9781785369339
- Riefa, C. and Saintier, S. (2017) Unfair Commercial Practices Directive: remedying economic torts?. In: Giliker, P. , (eds.) Research Handbook on EU Tort Law. Research Handbooks in European Law Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd. , Cheltenham. pp. 293-318. ISBN: 9781785365713 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.4337/9781785365720.00019
- Warwas, B. , Riefa, C. , Ferretti, F. , Cole, T. , Bantekas, I. , Ortolani, P. (2016) Legal instruments and practice of arbitration in the EU (annex): Study for the JURI committee. Publications office of the , 12 pp 123. ISSN: 1875-4120 ISBN: 9789282362563 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.2861/75990
- Riefa, C. (2016) Consumer Protection and Online Auction Platforms: Towards a Safer Legal Framework. Consumer Protection and Online Auction Platforms. Markets and the Law Routledge , Oxon. pp 276. ISBN: 9781315573700 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781315573700
- Zakaria, I. , Reifner, U. , Neuberger, D. , Clerc-Renaud, S. , Schwizer, P. , Nastansky, A. , Stephan, A. , Soana, M. , Ferri, G. , Schwartz, S. , Forbes, W. , Riefa, C. (2016) Study on the remuneration provisions applicable to credit institutions and investment firms. European Commission
- Markou, C. and Riefa, C. (2016) App-solutely protected? The protection of consumers using mobile apps in the European Union. In: Rothchild, J. , (eds.) Research Handbook on Electronic Commerce Law. Research Handbooks in Information Law Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd. , Cheltenham. pp. 391-418. ISBN: 9781783479917
- Riefa, C. and Mo, J. (2016) Mind the gap: modelling the liability of online auction intermediaries and market places in Hong Kong on the EU regime. The Chinese Journal of Comparative Law , 4 (2). pp. 274-299. ISSN: 2050-4802 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/cjcl/cxw009
- Cole, T. , Bantekas, I. , Ferretti, F. , Riefa, C. , Warwas, B. , Ortolani, P. (2015) Legal instruments and practice of arbitration in the EU: Study for the JURI committee. Transnational Dispute Management , 12 pp 312. ISSN: 1875-4120 ISBN: 9789282362549 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.2861/75869
- Riefa, C. (2015) Codification: the future of English consumer law?. Journal of European Consumer and Market Law , 4 (1-2). pp. 12-20. ISSN: 2364-4710
- Riefa, C. and Durovic, M. (2015) Serbian consumer law: out with the old, in with the new. Maastricht Journal of European and Comparative Law , 22 (6). pp. 862-878. ISSN: 1023-263X | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1023263X1502200605
- Riefa, C. and Markou, C. (2014) Online Marketing: Advertisers know you are a Dog on the Internet!. In: Savin, A. and Trzaskowski, J. , (eds.) Research Handbook on EU Internet Law. Research Handbooks in European Law Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd. , Cheltenham. pp. 383-410. ISBN: 9781782544166
- Riefa, C. (2014) Consumer Law in England: from common law to codification?.. In: Tomillo Urbina, J. and Álvarez Rubio, J. , (eds.) La Proteccion Juridica de los consumidores en el espacio euroamericano. Editorial Comares , Granada. ISBN: 9788490451953
- Riefa, C. , Tiffe, A. , Reifner, U. , Klinger, H. , Muller, P. , Sinn, M. , Mantovani, I. , Devnani, S. , Korus, K. , Godschalk, H. (2013) Study on the impact of directive 2007/64/EC on payment services in the internal market and on the application of regulation (EC) No. 924/2009 on cross-border payments in the community. European Commission pp 288.
- Nottage, L. , Riefa, C. , Tokeley, K. (2013) Comparative Consumer Law Reform and Economic Integration. In: Malbon, J. and Nottage, L. , (eds.) Consumer Law and Policy in Australia and New Zealand. Federation Press pp. 52-94. ISBN: 9781862879089
- Riefa, C. (2013) An empirical study of unfair terms in online auction contracts in the UK: evidence of the need for better enforcement mechanisms. University of Western Australia Law Review , 37 (1). ISSN: 0042-0328
- Reifner, U. , Neuberger, D. , Rissi, R. , Riefa, C. , Knobloch, M. , Clerc-Renaud, S. , Finger, C. (2013) Study on remuneration structures of financial services intermediairies and conflicts of interest. Institute Fur finanzdienstleistungen e.V. (iff) , Hamburg. pp 172. ISBN: 9789279299179 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.2780/89663
- Riefa, C. (2012) The end of internet service providers liability as we know it – uncovering the consumer interest in CJEU case C-324/09 (L’Oréal/Ebay). Journal of European Consumer and Market Law , 1 (2). pp. 104-111. ISSN: 2364-4710
- Riefa, C. (2012) Recommended changes to the definitions of ‘auction’ and ‘public auction’ in the proposal for a directive on consumer rights. In: Devenney, J. and Kenny, M. , (eds.) European Consumer Protection Theory and Practice. Cambridge University Press , Cambridge. pp. 378-396. ISBN: 9781107013018
- Riefa, C. (2012) Rights of consumers shopping on online auction platforms under directive 2011/83/EU. In: Buttigieg, E. , (eds.) Rights and remedies for the consumer in the European Union. Gutenberg Press , Malta. ISBN: 9789995704520
- Riefa, C. (2011) Contratos electrónicos con consumidores: recientes problemas legales. In: Jorge, T. and Julio, Á. , (eds.) La protección jurídica de los consumidores como motor de desarrollo económico. Civitas (Thomson Reuters) , Madrid. pp. 313-346. ISBN: 9788447037001
- Riefa, C. (2009) The reform of electronic consumer contracts in Europe: towards an effective legal framework?. Lex Electronica , 14 (2). ISSN: 1480-1787
- Riefa, C. (2009) A dangerous erosion of consumer rights: the absence of a right to withdraw from online auctions. In: Howells, G. and Schulze, R. , (eds.) Modernising and Harmonising Consumer Contract Law. Sellier , Munich. pp. 177-187. ISBN: 9783866530829
- Riefa, C. (2009) Liability of Online Auction Sites for Infringing “User-generated Content”: Have IP Owners Lost the Battle but Not the War?. pp. 187-207. (Proceedings Title: 'Mashing-up Culture The Rise of User-generated Content ; Proceedings from the COUNTER Workshop, Mashing-up Culture, Uppsala University'; Proceedings Editors: Eva Hemmungs Wirtén & Maria Ryman;)
- Riefa, C. (2008) “To be or not to be an auctioneer?” some thoughts on the legal nature of online “eBay” auctions and the protection of consumers. Journal of Consumer Policy , 31 (2). pp. 167-194. ISSN: 1573-0700 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10603-007-9063-0
- Riefa, C. (2006) Consumers and electronic communications laws in Europe and England: reaping the rewards of the new regulatory framework. Annals of telecommunications - annales des télécommunications , 61 (7-8). pp. 924-949. ISSN: 0003-4347 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF03219872
- Riefa, C. (2005) Privacy and the internet in the European Union. In: Street, L. , Grant, M. , Sheets Gardiner, S. , (eds.) Law of the Internet. Lexis / Michie , Charlottesville. pp. 2.15-2.168.50.
- Wild, C. , Weinstein, S. , Riefa, C. (2005) Council regulation (EC) 44/2001 and internet consumer contracts: some thoughts on article 15 and the futility of applying ‘in the box’ conflict of law rules to the ‘out of the box’ borderless world. International Review of Law, Computers and Technology , 19 (1). pp. 13-21. ISSN: 1360-0869 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13600860500051002
- Riefa, C. (2004) Article 5 of the Rome convention on the law applicable to contractual obligations of 19 June 1980 and consumer e‐contracts: the need for reform. Information and Communications Technology Law , 13 (1). pp. 59-73. ISSN: 1360-0834 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1360083042000190643
- Riefa, C. (2004) Publicité forfait illimité AOL: un nouvel élan vers la transparence des offres d'accès à l'Internet. Recueil Dalloz , 2004 (24). pp. 1727-1731.