The Paris Court of Appeal has dismissed legal proceedings brought by the Carrefour Franchisees Association, ruling the dispute should go to private arbitration. The court overturned an earlier Rennes Commercial Court decision and upheld arbitration clauses in contracts between Carrefour and its partners. Carrefour said the ruling strengthened its franchise model and reiterated its commitment to dialogue. AFC president Thierry Barbier said the group would appeal. (Lineaires)