What is the time limit for completing all discovery in an arbitration with Beverly Anns Cookie?
Beverly_Anns_Cookie Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
All discovery must be completed within 60 days following appointment of an arbitrator, unless otherwise agreed by the parties.
Depositions will be limited to a maximum of five per party and will be held within 30 days after making a request.
Additional depositions may be scheduled only with the permission of the arbitrator and for good cause shown.
Each deposition will be limited to a maximum of six hours duration.
Should a dispute arise over the extent of or propriety of any discovery request, the arbitrator will make a final determination after hearing each party's position.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 57–235)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Beverly Anns Cookie Franchise Disclosure Document, all discovery in an arbitration must be completed within 60 days following the appointment of an arbitrator, unless both parties agree to a different timeframe. This means that once an arbitrator is selected to oversee the dispute resolution process, both Beverly Anns Cookie and the franchisee have a limited window to gather and exchange relevant information.
Depositions are capped at a maximum of five per party and must be conducted within 30 days of the request. Each deposition is limited to a maximum duration of six hours. If there is a disagreement regarding the scope or appropriateness of a discovery request, the arbitrator will make the final decision after considering each party's arguments.
This relatively short discovery period underscores the importance of franchisees being prepared to act quickly and efficiently should a dispute arise that leads to arbitration. Franchisees should be aware of these time constraints and have a strategy in place for gathering necessary documents and information promptly to support their case within the allotted timeframe.