In which county and state must any claims involving the Creative World School agreement be filed?
Creative_World_School Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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- Item 17 is amended by adding the following language after the table:
- (c) A franchisee may bring a lawsuit in Maryland for claims arising under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law.
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- Governing Law. The following sentence is added at the end of Section 20.07:
MINN. STAT. §80C.21 AND MINN. RULE 2860.4400J PROHIBIT US FROM REQUIRING LITIGATION TO BE CONDUCTED OUTSIDE MINNESOTA. IN ADDITION, NOTHING IN THE DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT OR AGREEMENT CAN ABROGATE OR REDUCE ANY OF YOUR RIGHTS AS PROVIDED FOR IN MINNESOTA STATUTES, CHAPTER 80C, OR YOUR RIGHTS TO ANY PROCEDURE, FORUM, OR REMEDIES PROVIDED FOR BY THE LAWS OF THE JURISDICTION.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 80–247)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
The 2025 Creative World School Franchise Disclosure Document includes state-specific addenda that address where lawsuits can be filed. For franchisees in Maryland, the FDD states that a franchisee may bring a lawsuit in Maryland for claims arising under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law. For franchisees in Minnesota, the FDD states that Creative World School is prohibited from requiring litigation to be conducted outside of Minnesota. The document does not specify a particular county.
This means that if a Creative World School franchisee operates in Maryland and has a claim under Maryland franchise law, they can file a lawsuit in Maryland. Similarly, a Minnesota franchisee cannot be forced to litigate outside of Minnesota, ensuring they can pursue legal action within their home state. These stipulations protect franchisees by allowing them to address legal issues within their own jurisdictions, which can reduce costs and logistical challenges.
For prospective franchisees, it's important to note that these venue provisions are specific to Maryland and Minnesota. Franchisees in other states may be subject to different requirements regarding where they can file lawsuits against Creative World School. It is important to carefully review the specific addendum or rider applicable to their state to understand their legal rights and obligations. If a state-specific addendum is not included, it is important to ask the franchisor about the proper venue for claims.