Legal Definitions - disturbance of franchise

Disturbance of franchise is a legal term that refers to a wrongful interference with a liberty or privilege. It occurs when someone who has been granted a franchise, such as the right to hold a court-leet, keep a fair or market, or take toll, is prevented from exercising that right in a lawful manner.

For example, if a person has been granted the franchise of free-warren, which allows them to hunt and fish on a particular piece of land, and someone else comes along and interferes with their ability to do so, that would be considered a disturbance of franchise.

Another example would be if a person has been granted the franchise of seizing waifs or estrays, which allows them to take possession of lost or stray animals, and someone else interferes with their ability to do so.

These examples illustrate how disturbance of franchise can occur when someone interferes with another person's lawful exercise of a franchise. It is important to protect these rights and privileges to ensure that they can be exercised without interference.