Competition Act 1998: Primary UK legislation governing competition law, prohibiting anti-competitive agreements and abuse of dominant market position, crucial for franchise territory and market restrictions
Enterprise Act 2002: Key legislation providing framework for market regulation and competition enforcement in the UK, including merger control provisions
Trade Marks Act 1994: Governs trademark protection and licensing, essential for protecting franchise brand and intellectual property
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988: Protects various forms of intellectual property rights including operations manuals, training materials, and franchise system documentation
Data Protection Act 2018: UK's implementation of data protection requirements, including UK GDPR, governing how franchise systems handle personal data
Consumer Rights Act 2015: Protects consumer rights and applies to B2C franchise operations, affecting how franchises interact with end customers
Companies Act 2006: Primary legislation governing company operations in the UK, relevant for corporate structuring of franchise operations
Vertical Agreements Block Exemption Regulation: Retained EU law providing exemptions for certain vertical agreements, including franchise agreements, from competition law restrictions
Misrepresentation Act 1967: Governs pre-contractual statements and representations made during franchise recruitment process
Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977: Regulates unfair terms in business contracts, including franchise agreements
TUPE Regulations 2006: Protects employees' rights when businesses transfer ownership, potentially applicable in franchise resales or transfers
Employment Rights Act 1996: Fundamental employment legislation affecting franchise employees and employment relationships
Food Safety Act 1990: Specific legislation for food-related franchises governing food safety and hygiene standards
Financial Services and Markets Act 2000: Regulates financial services franchises and their operations in the UK
Landlord and Tenant Act 1954: Governs commercial property leases, relevant for franchise locations and premises
BFA Code of Ethics: British Franchise Association's ethical guidelines for franchise operations in the UK
European Code of Ethics for Franchising: European framework for ethical franchise practices, still relevant post-Brexit as industry standard
Common Law on Passing Off: Uncodified law protecting business reputation and goodwill from misrepresentation by others
