Competition Act 1998: Primary legislation governing competition law, crucial for territorial restrictions and pricing provisions in franchise agreements. Ensures compliance with competition law requirements.
Consumer Rights Act 2015: Key legislation for consumer-facing franchise businesses, governing the terms of goods and services provided to consumers.
Data Protection Act 2018 & UK GDPR: Regulates the handling of customer and business data, including data sharing arrangements between franchisor and franchisee.
Trade Marks Act 1994: Intellectual property legislation protecting trademarks and brand elements essential to franchise operations.
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988: Governs intellectual property rights protection for creative works, designs, and innovations within the franchise system.
Companies Act 2006: Fundamental legislation covering corporate governance and company formation requirements for franchise businesses.
British Franchise Association Code of Ethics: Voluntary industry guidelines providing best practice standards for franchise operations in the UK.
Trading Schemes Act 1996: Legislation relevant to trading schemes, with exemptions for single-tier trading schemes in franchise arrangements.
Employment Rights Act 1996: Crucial for establishing clear distinction between employment and franchise relationships, preventing de facto employment claims.
National Minimum Wage Act 1998: Relevant legislation for franchisees employing staff, ensuring compliance with minimum wage requirements.
Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977: Governs the reasonableness of contract terms and limitation of liability provisions in franchise agreements.
Misrepresentation Act 1967: Regulates pre-contractual statements and disclosure requirements in franchise agreements, protecting against misrepresentation.
