News & Legal Updates

On Friday 29 May 2020, the Chancellor announced further details on the extension of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), including improved flexibility to bring furloughed workers back on a part-time basis in July and a new taper required for employers from August. Below are the important dates for your diary: 10 June 2020: last … Continue reading "Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: Dates For Your Diary"

One of the most daunting things about making a legal claim in court is the risk of losing and being therefore ordered to pay the winning side’s legal expenses, in addition to your own solicitors’ bills. In claims for compensation arising out of personal injuries your solicitors may agree to work on a “no win … Continue reading "A revolution in Claimant’s Legal Expenses"

Many companies, particularly start-ups, rely on investment, other than through conventional means such as bank lending, from various individuals or investment funds in order to assist with growing and expanding their business. In order to assist companies during the Covid-19 crisis, the Government has launched the £500 million Future Fund scheme, which opened for applications … Continue reading "The Coronavirus Future Fund – Now Open for Applications"

Monday: Keeping Up Appearances At the start of lockdown, I planned to get ready and face every day as if I were going into the office. I would also get more sleep, drink less wine, more water and clean up my eating habits. However, in the tradition of all best laid plans, it’s not quite … Continue reading "A Week in the Life of a Working Mummy"

With building developments largely on hold as a result of Covid-19, specific attention needs to be given to Agreements for Leases (“AFL”) in respect of any pre-lets agreed for the development. An AFL is entered in to where premises are not yet ready for occupation and governs primarily how the premises are to be built. … Continue reading "Covid-19, Agreements for Leases and Force Majeure"

KEY POINTS TO CONSIDER WHEN REVIEWING YOUR FINANCE DOCUMENTATION IN LIGHT OF COVID-19: As noted in our previous blog, borrowers should review their existing debt agreements and related guarantee and security documents to assess whether any contingency measures are necessary. Areas to consider include: Representations: Facility agreements generally include representations making factual statements on various … Continue reading "Key points to consider when reviewing your finance documentation in light of Covid-19"

How are you coping with lockdown so far? Are you adjusting to home working? Or have you been furloughed? From my experience as a trainee solicitor, one thing that I have learnt over the last few months is that looking after myself and being resilient are key skills in order for me to develop both … Continue reading "Lockdown lessons/lifehacks: Mental Health Awareness Week"

Yesterday the Government issued guidance, clarifying issues relating to furloughed workers and holiday pay. Here are the five most common client questions: Q: Can a worker take annual leave when on furlough? A: Government guidance confirms that an employer can allow the worker to receive holiday pay and be on furlough at the same time. … Continue reading "Five Q&As on holiday pay and the Job Retention Scheme"

In parts 1 – 4 of our series of blogs, we looked at how a redundancy situation might arise, through consultation procedures (individual and collective), and covered calculation of redundancy payments. In this final part of the series, we will address some frequently asked questions. Some of the FAQs will look at the interplay between … Continue reading "Redundancy during Coronavirus Part 5: FAQ’s"

The Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Bill (the Bill”) was published by the Scottish Parliament on Monday 11 May 2020. The Bill will be subject to an expedited procedure and if approved by the Scottish Parliament is scheduled to come into force on the 20 May 2020. The purpose of the Bill is a further response to … Continue reading "Property Law Update – Coronavirus (Scotland) (No2) Bill"