John Travolta and Sandy are business partners, of a franchise called "Best Burgers". The franchise specialises in serving excellent burgers and milkshakes, all at affordable prices. One fine day, Sandy decides to modify the recipe and serve the customers, her own version of "delicious burgers" The response was overwhelming as people started to que and word spread like wildfire about this new menu. Soon word reached the franchisor, Jesseca Pearson. She was not pleased with this modification, as it goes against the Franchise Act. The High Court of Malaysia ruled in favour of the franchisor, in the caseNoraimi bt Alias v Rangkaian Hotel Seri Malaysia [2009]. It was upheld that the franchisor is under a duty to maintain continuous control over the franchisee's operation of its business. This is to ensure that the customers enjoy the same quality of food offered from the same franchised business. This precedent has been reported. Jesseca Pearson claims Sandy has breached the laws, specifically the Franchise Act, in reference to this precedent upheld in court. Jesseca intends to sue both business partners.

John Travolta and Sandy fear their business might be shut down and claim it was an innocent modification. In addition, John Travolta suffers from chronic anxiety. He is not in favour of court settlements due to the trauma faced when he lost his daughter in a court battle.

John Travolta and Sandy were also looking for a someone to rent out their abandoned shop lot. They hired Louis Litt to be their agent. They specifically requested him to rent it out to teachers in the academic line, for RM2,000 a month. Louis however, disobeys and rents it out to Darren, who runs an illegal business. Louis informs Darren the rent is RM3,000 and secretly pockets RM1,000 monthly. The contract has been enforced for three months, but without the consent of John Travolta and Sandy.

John Travolta and Sandy are also planning to run their own Food and Beverage company that supplies healthy snacks, with their own customised recipes. However, they are concerned about the liabilities in running a company and capital involved.

Based on the extract above, identify the relevant legal issues based on the questions below.

(a)Explainthe requirements of judicial precedent anddescribethe advantages and disadvantages of relying on this reported precedent to the current facts.