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Mediation Before Litigation: Delaware Court's Expanded Jurisdiction Offers Remedy in Franchise Disputes

By Scott McIntosh
September 11, 2003

On May 29, 2003, the Governor of Delaware, Ruth Ann Minner, signed into law new legislation that may signal the willingness of courts to facilitate the resolution of disputes before the parties have passed the 'point of no return' and resorted to litigation. If the new model proposed in Delaware meets with success and is broadened and adopted by other courts, the development could be meaningful for both franchisors and franchisees, given that disputes frequently arise in franchise systems. Both would benefit from early resolution that would preserve the strength of the system and maintain the important relationships between the franchisor and the franchisee during the balance of the term of the franchise agreement.

Prior to the new legislation, the Delaware Court of Chancery was essentially limited to equity jurisdiction. See 10 Del. C. 1953, ' 341. The Court of Chancery's jurisdiction was further limited when a party had an adequate remedy in other courts. See 10 Del. C. 1953, ' 342 ('The Court of Chancery shall not have jurisdiction to determine any matter wherein sufficient remedy may be had by common law, or statute, before any other court or jurisdiction of this State.'). The new legislation expanded the jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery in two significant areas: technology disputes and mediation of business disputes.

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