News & Events
News & Events
The Court of Appeal has just handed down judgment in Dwyer (UK Franchising) Ltd v Fredbar Ltd & Bartlett [2022] EWCA Civ 889 in which David E. Grant QC and Anson Cheung appeared for the successful respondents. This is the most detailed consideration yet by the courts of the enforceability of post-termination restrictions in franchise agreements. Background to the Appeal The First Respondent, Fredbar Ltd, was a franchisee of the “Drain Doctor” brand licensed by the Appellant, Dwyer, which claimed to be the UK’s largest full-service network of emergency plumbing and drainage operations and part of the world’s largest home service franchise. Fredbar and the Second Respondent, Mr Bartlett (the sole director and employee of Fredbar and guarantor under the franchise agreement)…
Commercial, News 30 Jun, 2022
Lloyd’s of London has today issued a Public Censure, the first of its kind, against Atrium Underwriting Limited relating to non-financial misconduct by employees and failures by Atrium in the way in which it responded to allegations of misconduct. In regulatory Market Bulletin Y5252, Lloyd’s set out its policy in relation to conduct involving harassment, bullying, discrimination, and consumption of alcohol or drugs at work. The Bulletin makes clear that in addition to the actions of individuals, of “equal importance is the culture of the firm for whom the individual works and whether it supports or tolerates a culture of unacceptable personal behaviour towards others.” The proceedings against Atrium were brought as a result of serious failures by the firm including failures…
Commercial, News 16 Mar, 2022