“Consumer protection and minors: the CJEU strengthens the defense against unfair terms in sports contracts”.

Authors

  • PASCUAL MARTINEZ ESPIN Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18239/RCDC_2025.54.3684

Keywords:

Cláusulas abusivas; Directiva 93/13; menor de edad; derechos fundamentales; protección al consumidor; derecho deportivo.

Abstract

The judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) of March 20, 2025, in case C-365/23 (Arce) marks a significant step forward in protecting minors in contractual agreements. The case involves a contract between a minor represented by their parents and a sports development company, in which the minor’s future income is pledged. The CJEU's ruling extends the scope of Directive 93/13 on unfair terms to contracts signed by minors, even when they are not yet professional, and emphasizes the importance of judicial review of clauses that may cause an imbalance between the parties, especially when the terms are not adequately explained. This judgment reinforces consumer protection, particularly for vulnerable groups such as minors, by ensuring that they are not subjected to abusive clauses that can affect their long-term interests.

Author Biography

  • PASCUAL MARTINEZ ESPIN, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha

    Catedrático de Derecho Civil

References

AYLLÓN GARCÍA, Jesús Daniel, El consumidor vulnerable: Especial referencia a los menores de edad y a las personas con discapacidad. En: Actualidad civil, ISSN 0213-7100, Volumen 1, Nº 4, 2014.

GISBERT JORDÁ, Teresa, La protección jurídica al menor como consumidor. En: Derechos, justicia y estado constitucional: un tributo a Miguel C. Miravet / coord. por Pablo Miravet Bergón, María José Añón Roig, 2005, ISBN 84-370-6092-3, págs. 85-132.

NAVARRO MENDIZÁBAL, Iñigo Alfonso, La protección del consumidor menor de edad. En: Infancia, publicidad y consumo / coord. por Isabel Eugenia Lázaro González, Ignacio V. Mayoral Narros, 2005, ISBN 84-8468-163-7, págs. 139-176.

SELIGRAT GONZÁLEZ, Víctor Manuel, Contratos deportivos y protección de menores. En: Direito do consumidor no cenário ibero-americano / coord. por Marcos Catalan, María Nélida Tur Faúndez, Manuel de Peralta y Carrasco, Xavier Marinêz De Oliveira, 2023, ISBN 978-65-5515-837-3, págs. 141-158.

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Published

2025-05-12

Issue

Section

ESTUDIOS, CONSULTAS, NOVEDADES NORMATIVAS Y JURISPRUDENCIA

How to Cite

“Consumer protection and minors: the CJEU strengthens the defense against unfair terms in sports contracts”. (2025). Revista CESCO De Derecho De Consumo, 54, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.18239/RCDC_2025.54.3684