(a) Any franchisee may bring an action for violation of sections 42-133e to 42-133g, inclusive, in the Superior Court to recover damages sustained by reason of such violation, which action shall be privileged in respect to its assignment for trial and, where appropriate, may apply for injunctive relief as provided in chapter 916. Such franchisee, if successful, shall be entitled to costs, including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys' fees.

(b) A franchisee who leases real property under a franchise agreement, which lease expires upon termination of the franchise, and who receives notice from the franchisor in accordance with the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of section 42-133f that such franchise is terminated, shall have no right or privilege to occupy the premises which are the subject of such lease, as of the date specified in such notice for the termination of such franchise, unless such franchisee is granted a temporary injunction in accordance with the provisions of chapter 916.

(c) A franchisor who applies to a court to obtain possession of premises leased by the franchisor to the franchisee upon termination of the franchise, which premises the franchisee has no right or privilege to occupy under subsection (b) of this section, shall file with the court from which it seeks the order of possession: (1) An affidavit under oath from the clerk of such court, which affidavit shall state that the court records indicate that no temporary injunction has been granted to the franchisee, (2) the return of service of the notice required pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, (3) a copy of the notice served pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, and (4) an affidavit under oath, which affidavit shall state that the notice required by subsections (a) and (b) of section 42-133f, has been served, that the notice period required by said section has expired, and that no injunction to restrain termination has been issued.

(1972, P.A. 287, S. 3; P.A. 75-560, S. 2; P.A. 86-238, S. 2.)

History: P.A. 75-560 granted actions to recover damages privileged status in respect to assignment for trial; P.A. 86-238 added Subsecs. (b) and (c) providing that a franchisee who receives valid notice of the termination of a franchise and whose lease expires along with the franchise, has no right or privilege to occupy the franchise property, and requiring the franchisor to file certain items with the court when applying for possession of such property.

See Sec. 42-133h re applicability of section.

Cited. 179 C. 471.

Cited. 1 CA 439.