Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanism (Management Companies)

 

STAG is a signatory to the Protocol on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Mechanism (Management Companies), entered into with the CMVM and other entities engaged in the management of Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities (UCITS) and Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs). This initiative promotes a simple and extrajudicial method for resolving disputes arising from unresolved prior complaints submitted by consumers who qualify as retail investors.

 

Once the response period of fifteen working days has elapsed without the complainant’s claim being granted—as concluded in the response provided—non-professional investors may resort to the ADR Mechanism under the Protocol established with the CMVM. This mechanism allows for the referral of disputes to Consumer Arbitration Centres.

 

Accordingly, ADR is available to retail investors when:

• The dispute concerns activities related to the management of collective investment undertakings or additional and ancillary activities for which the signatory institutions are authorized;
• The investor’s complaint was not resolved by STAG and/or the CMVM;
• The disputed amount does not exceed €30,000 (thirty thousand euros).

 

In such cases, clients may contact one of the following entities:

• Centro de Arbitragem de Conflitos de Consumo da Região de Coimbra (“CACRC”);
• Centro de Arbitragem de Conflitos de Consumo de Lisboa (“CACCL”);
• Centro de Arbitragem de Conflitos de Consumo do Ave, Tâmega e Sousa (“TRIAVE”);
• Centro de Informação de Consumo e Arbitragem do Porto (“CICAP”);
• Centro de Informação, Mediação e Arbitragem de Consumo (Tribunal Arbitral de Consumo) (“CIAB”);
• Centro de Informação, Mediação e Arbitragem do Algarve (“CIMAAL”);
• Centro Nacional de informação e Arbitragem de Conflitos de Consumo (“CNIACC”).

 

European Consumer Centre Network (ECC-Net)

In the case of cross-border disputes in the financial sector, the European mechanism may be used — European Consumer Centre Network (ECC-Net) — European Commission.

 

Competent courts or arbitration

Filing a complaint or grievance with STAG or the supervisory authorities does not preclude the right to resort to alternative dispute resolution mechanisms or to seek redress through the competent courts or arbitration.