Franchise Law

David E. Grant QC and Anson Cheung successful in significant franchising case in the Court of Appeal

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