Victoria Hobbs

I am a partner in our International Dispute Resolution Group in London where I specialise primarily in resolving disputes arising out of franchise, licence, distribution and agency agreements.

With deep expertise of acting for clients in the retail, hotel & leisure and food & beverage sectors, I advise companies who have expanded - in the UK and abroad - via multi-channel strategies, including franchising, licensing, distribution and agency relationships, on all stages of the dispute avoidance and resolution process.

I regularly work with our clients on pre-contractual disclosure documents and audits of recruitment materials (to minimise the exposure to misrepresentation and breach of contract claims) and advise on termination rights; managing franchisee/licensee performance issues; and strategies to avoid the escalation of network-wide franchisee/licensee unrest as well as supply chain issues and management and general dispute avoidance strategy advice.

I advise clients on the protection of their trade secrets, know-how and goodwill from exploitation by former franchisees or licensees, including enforcing post-termination obligations and restrictions through injunctive relief.

I have extensive experience of mediation, litigation and arbitration and, in addition to my significant UK disputes expertise, I advise clients on cross border disputes arising from their global multi-channel expansion programmes.

I am a regular contributor to industry publications and often speak at trade events and seminars.

• Whilst I primarily act for franchisors, I also have experience of both bringing and defending franchisee class actions and have successfully represented large groups of franchisees to re-negotiate their franchise agreements, obtain damages and free themselves from contractual restrictions.
• I also have considerable experience of advising clients on disputes arising out of the Commercial Agents Regulations having acted for both principals and agents bringing and defending claims for compensation or indemnity payments.