Introducing the Legal Committee

The Legal Committee supports The BFA on all legal matters and developments within franchising.

Its responsibilities include monitoring legal changes that could impact the franchising industry, providing expert advice on proposals related to our standards, and consulting on both national and international regulations. Additionally, the Committee serves as the appeals body for Members where standards are concerned. Through its work, the Legal Committee upholds both the legal and ethical framework that supports the franchise industry.

Nicola Broadhurst, Legal Committee Chair

Nicola trained at Theodore Goddard (now Addleshaws) in London and worked at Mishcon de Reya and Mundays before joining Stevens & Bolton LLP in 2011 as a partner and head of franchising.

Nicola is a commercial transactional lawyer specialising in franchising and commercial exploitation of intellectual property. Nicola regularly advises both franchisors and franchisees, and her practice has a particular emphasis on advising on international expansion through franchising including direct unit franchising, master franchising and area development, as well as those international franchisors looking to import franchise systems into the UK.

Andrew is the founder of Albany Fraser Solicitors, a boutique law firm helping franchisors and franchisees of all shapes and sizes make better franchising decisions. Andrew is accredited by the bfa as a 'Qualified Franchise Professional' and is listed as a Band 1 rated expert in ‘Chambers’ guide to the legal profession, where clients and colleagues in the industry had this to say about him: "He is a brilliant franchising lawyer who is extremely personable." "He knows franchising backwards”

Andrew Fraser QFP

Albany Fraser

Gordon Drakes is a partner and co-head of the franchising and commercial team at European law firm, Fieldfisher (advisor member of the BFA since 1997). Gordon is a transactional lawyer, specialising in all types of third-party relationship models, but with a real focus on franchising. The Fieldfisher team is ranked consistently in the top-tier for commercial contracts, franchising and licensing by Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500. The Legal 500 ranks Gordon as a ‘Leading Individual’ and Who's Who Legal: Franchise 2023 ranks him as a Global Thought Leader.

Gordon Drakes

Fieldfisher LLP

NMW Franchise Services LTD is a specialist franchise agreement legal practice operated by Nina Moran-Watson and Vicki Mitman acting for both franchisors and franchisees. Nina has been involved in franchising for over 35 years and is particularly recognised as an expert in reviewing franchise agreements for prospective franchisees, offering a highly competitive franchisee dedicated service through her www.franchiseagreement.reviews website.

Nina Moran-Watson

NMW Franchise Services LTD

Russell joined IBB Law following a merger with Owen White Solicitors in January 2023. He acts for many well-known franchisors, as well as franchisee associations, and action groups in disputes, usually in the High Court. Russell is also a CMC (Civil Mediation Council) registered mediator and led on updating the BFA’s mediation scheme rules. Russell has been highly rated for franchise litigation by the Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession and the Legal 500 since 2008.