Hi, my name is Shaun Bartlett I'm a 38 year old family man. I have a 7 year old son, a cockapoo and a long term partner. For the past two years I have been pursued through the high court by a conglomerate company.

I terminated a franchise agreement with Dwyer (UK Franchising) Ltd in July 2020 who are part of Neighborly the worlds largest home service franchise who recently purchased Pimlico plumbers for £100 million pounds. Since terminating I have been pursued through the justice system. Dwyer applied for an interim injunction in September 2020 which was rejected by the Judge, we've had many case management conferences and hearings leading up-to a five day trial in March 2021 (there are plenty of articles online about it just type in Dwyer (UK Franchising) Ltd V Fredbar and Mr Bartlett). Dwyer were found to have committed two repudiatory breaches, misrepresented with their finances, the judge in handing down the order claimed their projections were not great and the way they sold the franchise was very underhand. However, the judge found that I'd affirmed the breaches so I was not allowed to terminate legally and they were. The judge did find that their restrictive covenants were unenforceable which they appealed, they failed in their appeal at a hearing in May 2022 with one major finding being an inequality of bargaining power when entering the agreement. Dwyer are pursuing for damages as they were legally allowed to terminate and so we wait for another forthcoming trial, their aim is to make an example to other franchisees as they certainly don't need the money and with my family home at stake of being lost I greatly need some support.

The Judge ICC Jones at the trial in March 2021 when handing down his judgement declared that the franchising industry should be regulated, the chancellor of the high court in the recent appeal case at trial also suggested that the industry needed to be regulated. In the USA, Australia, France and Canada as well as many other countries all have franchising regulated much the same as we do for the selling of cars - we all know how we used to get flogged a dud and didn't really have much of a leg to stand on before regulation. Franchising is a multi billion pound industry in the UK, a lot of people go into franchising straight from employment but are unaware of the risks it carries. If the industry is not regulated as it is in other countries then we need some protection in the courts from losing our family homes, so if people are in an unfortunate contract and feel trapped then they shouldn't be scared of losing what they themselves have built up over years. Also, as legal fees are so high there should be some reform that makes it affordable for Joe public to defend themselves in litigation, I've estimated Dwyer's spend to over £350,000 which they are hoping to claw back, an everyday man like myself can't compete.

I need £5,000 - £10,000 to help fund my defence and pay the barrister who has been representing me in the trials and the forthcoming trial. I fear that I could be in a courtroom showdown with a very well versed lawyer representing Dwyer, whereas I (with no legal qualifications) will be representing myself with my family home on the line.

Thank-you so much for your donation and support!