Insights & News
Search for Insights & News
-
I didn’t sign up for this! Can parties escape obligations when the deal changes?
27 April 2020It is estimated that 20% of the world’s population is living under some form of lockdown as various governments roundly seek to combat the spread of Covid-19. The impact has seen businesses forced to adapt to a reality that they would never have envisaged. Measures in the UK have left a variety of sectors reeling as shops have shut, operations have been restricted and events have been cancelled.
-
Business as (un)usual - how to manage a return to business after Covid-19
24 April 2020The UK’s lockdown has been extended until at least 7 May 2020 and there may then be a further extension. When it is eventually lifted, measures for a gradual and phased return to the workplace are likely to be imposed, with social-distancing measures remaining in place. You need to start thinking now about how to manage this process.
-
Her Majesty’s Government enters the VC market
24 April 2020The UK Government is now to become the latest VC to provide finance to start-ups, but what are the terms of this support? Is this finance likely to be useful or are those terms overly punitive? Will this impact on the terms available from existing investors? We analyse this below.
-
Furlough – planning an exit strategy
23 April 2020The government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is currently due to end on 30 June 2020 (having been extended from 31 May). It has provided employers with some important breathing space and there is no question it has saved jobs. But as the end of the scheme draws closer, it is important for employers to start considering their furlough exit plans.
-
How can employers support their furloughed staff?
23 April 2020How can employers best support their employees who have been furloughed under the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme?
-
Subject access in a professional services context
22 April 2020Data subject access requests made to professional services firms can raise some particularly difficult issues. This article considers the problems that can arise and how firms can navigate the potentially available exemptions.
-
ICO adapts its approach in light of COVID-19
22 April 2020The ICO has released further guidance on its approach to data protection enforcement during the COVID-19 pandemic.
-
Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS)
22 April 2020The Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS) opened on Monday 20 April 2020. It provides financial support to mid-sized and larger UK businesses across the UK that are losing revenue, and seeing their cashflow disrupted, as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
-
Sports Sponsorship - COVID19 Contractual Impact Assessment Flowchart
22 April 2020Sponsors and sports rights owners are grappling with the impact of COVID-19 event cancellations on their sponsorship agreements. The ‘partnership’ spirit in which sponsorship agreements are entered into will no doubt be tested, as rights can’t be delivered and purse-strings are tightened.
-
Ramadan, coronavirus and the lockdown – how employers can support their staff
22 April 2020Ramadan is expected to begin on the evening of 23 April 2020 and will last for 30 days, which means that some or all of it will be taking place under the continued lockdown imposed on account of the coronavirus situation. What issues do employers need to be aware of during Ramadan?
-
Legal Professional Privilege Update
21 April 2020This guide is intended to provide a brief overview of legal professional privilege. It identifies some practical steps which will help to maintain privilege and concludes with a privilege “flowchart” and table of commonly used terms.
-
Will COVID-19 excuse contractual performance in international football contracts? - an overview of Court of Arbitration for Sport jurisprudence on force majeure
21 April 2020COVID-19 has caused financial difficulties for many in sport during the past few weeks, and especially football clubs given the current postponement of the season. It will, therefore, be no surprise if some parties will attempt to use COVID-19 in order to avoid contractual liabilities in the coming months.
-
Government announces new £250m ‘Future Fund’ to support start-ups and growth companies
20 April 2020Details were published today, 20 April 2020, of the Government’s plan to make investments in growth companies hit by the coronavirus and the drastic reduction in venture capital investment.
-
Update on Hong Kong’s Employment Support Scheme (ESS) under the Anti-Epidemic Fund: what we know so far
20 April 2020On 18 April 2020, the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council gave funding approval for the second round of the anti-epidemic fund. This HKD$137.5 billion fund is set to be spread out over a variety of industries, with one of the main aims being job retention and job creation.
-
Government plans to go ahead with reformed points-based immigration system despite COVID-19
17 April 2020On 9 April 2020 the Home Office released an update for employers on the new points-based immigration system due to take effect from January 2021. Despite the disruption caused by COVID-19, the Home Office still intends to go ahead with the new immigration system within the time-frame outlined in their policy statement released on 19 February 2020.
-
Furloughing employees – new guidance on holiday pay
17 April 2020The government has updated its guidance on furlough for employers and employees, and this includes some important clarification on taking holidays during furlough and holiday pay.
-
Does the management team of a professional services firm have the power to deal with an extended lockdown?
17 April 2020Like all other businesses, professional services firms are feeling the effect of the coronavirus outbreak and are having to take steps to ensure survival in a world of mass remote working, empty offices, a decline in clients seeking services and increasing financial pressures.
-
Ireland: Coronavirus - FAQs for employers
16 April 2020The Coronavirus outbreak is rapidly becoming more widespread, raising numerous issues for businesses. We have prepared a comprehensive set of FAQs setting out guidance on all the main questions we are being asked from employers in Ireland.
-
Bank of England issues discussion paper on a central bank digital currency
16 April 2020The Bank of England has issued a discussion paper on a central bank digital currency.
-
HMRC puts its stamp on social distancing
16 April 2020With vast numbers of people now working remotely due to COVID-19 restrictions, HMRC have put in place an electronic process for the payment of stamp duty and stamping of share transfer documents.