Withers' lawyers have written extensively on the changes and the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on a diverse range of sectors and industries. We have put these articles together in a selection to help you navigate the issues you may be facing.
The Covid-19 crisis is far from over. While some countries begin a slow 'opening up' – particularly in Asia but now increasingly so in Europe – others, such as Brazil, remain acutely affected. It remains uncertain just how long we will be living with the social and economic aftermath of Covid-19.
In the UK, the relaxation of the significant restrictions on individuals and businesses lags behind other European nations. For those who are particularly vulnerable, it is still not clear when their long period of social isolation will come to an end in any meaningful way. Others continue to juggle caring responsibilities with working from home. Businesses which have just about managed to avoid insolvency thanks to emergency government schemes will face tough choices and further risks as some of those measures begin to be withdrawn.
Against this challenging background, significant pieces of legislation have passed quickly through Parliament. Employers, employees, company directors, hospitality sector workers, holidaymakers, landlords and tenants, taxpayers, expats and many others have seen sudden and important changes to their legal rights and obligations.
Whatever your question or challenge, we are here to help.
Businesses
Schemes for businesses
- Measures for business generally: Coronavirus: key government measures to assist organisations
- Protections for company directors: Coronavirus and director's liabilities: Changes to UK insolvency framework brings relief
Venture capital and start-ups
- Insights from industry leaders: W talks: tech | Ep 1 – Helping CEOs and Founders navigate the crisis
- How top founders have been doing their bit to help during the crisis: Withers talks: founders counsel | Episode 1 – Using entrepreneurial skills for good
- A challenging environment for entrepreneurs?: Start your business in a crisis: advice for UK entrepreneurs during coronavirus
Borrowers and lenders
- Impact of coronavirus on borrowers and lenders: Coronavirus: establish your position in the UK by reviewing your Facility Agreements
- Strategies for borrowers: Coronavirus: steps to help sustain, maintain or even progress your business in these uncertain times
- Government lending schemes to boost business: Government schemes to support UK businesses during the coronavirus pandemic
Commercial property
- Commercial real estate after coronavirus: The world of work after coronavirus in the UK: to downsize or not to downsize? - that is the question
- Hotels: Coronavirus: An update for the UK Hotel industry
Insolvency
- Pre-pack administrations: What are pre-packs and how can they help struggling businesses in the UK?
Charities
- Charities in financial difficulty: Coronavirus: New UK Charity Commission guidance on managing financial difficulties
- Gift Aid rules for charities processing refunds: Charities and Coronavirus: Gift Aid and cancelled events
- Update for charities - furlough scheme, pensions and advice from the Fundraising Regulator: Coronavirus and UK charities: Recent developments
Individuals
Employment
- Answers for employers: Coping with coronavirus: FAQs for UK employers
- Employers and the work environment: Coronavirus FAQs for UK employers: returning to a safe working environment
- Employers and immigration: Surviving coronavirus: FAQs for UK employers who sponsor migrant workers
Immigration
- Visa deadlines: UK Coronavirus update - Individuals whose visas expire after May 2020
- The effects of travel restrictions: UK absences during coronavirus: the long-term implications for UK visa holders
Tax
- Tax and the statutory residence test: How coronavirus could prejudice your tax status and what to do about it.
- Tax and markets: Coronavirus and market turmoil - what should you be doing now?
- Waiving remuneration: Coronavirus: the tax impact of waiving remuneration in the UK
- Gifting: Gifting assets in the UK during coronavirus
Reputation management
- Defamation: Coronavirus: do brands have any recourse if the media wrongly alleges they have furloughed staff?
Wills, trusts and probate
- Will drafting: Executing UK wills in the era of coronavirus and social distancing
- Trusts and trustees: UK trustees should check protections as funds devalue during coronavirus
- Probate and market turmoil: Coronavirus - UK loss on sale of shares
Family, children and cohabitation
- Coronavirus and cohabitation: Living together (cohabiting) and UK coronavirus guidelines: make your choice and stick with it
- Family and child arrangements: Children arrangements under UK coronavirus lockdown - potential for bad and good
- Protection from domestic abuse: When staying in doesn't mean staying safe - domestic abuse during lockdown
Residential property
- Nuisance and boundary disputes: Coronavirus: Everybody needs good neighbours
- Measures for tenants: How The Coronavirus Act 2020 can protect tenants in the UK
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
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