Under the Chesters EFA, what is the effect of section headings?

According to Chesters's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the section headings within the EFA (Equipment Finance Agreement) are purely for organizational convenience and do not constitute a substantive part of the agreement itself. This means that when interpreting the EFA, the headings should not be used to influence or determine the meaning of the clauses within each section.

For a prospective Chesters franchisee, this is an important point to understand. Franchisees should focus on the actual text of each section to understand their rights and obligations, rather than relying on the heading as a summary or interpretation of that section's content. The headings are there to guide you through the document, but the substance of the agreement lies in the specific wording of each provision.

This clause is fairly standard in legal agreements, as it prevents parties from later arguing that a heading implies something different from what the actual text states. Franchisees should carefully read each section of the EFA to ensure they fully understand their responsibilities and the terms of the agreement, without placing undue weight on the section headings.