On 16 April Companies House announced that it was temporarily suspending its policy of striking off companies that do not comply with their legal responsibilities, such as filing their accounts on time or failing to register a change in registered address. This is an additional measure to help businesses struggling to cope with the financial and administrative pressures caused by the coronavirus pandemic, coming hot on the heels of the 3-month extension to the filing deadline for accounts.

Even before the Coronavirus outbreak, you may have wondered “Do I need a Will?” or “I’m too young to write a Will”. Although most people writing Wills in the UK are older than 50, you could write a Will from the age of 18.

One of the effects of the coronavirus pandemic is widespread economic volatility with the result that many people have watched their investments tumble in value over the past couple of months. These market swings will have particular resonance for executors dealing with the estates of the recently deceased.

As retail and hospitality businesses continue to struggle in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic the implications of Brexit and what may be irreversible changes to our shopping and dining habits, it seems inevitable that we will see many more CVAs in this sector.

The current lockdown and social distancing measures introduced as a result of the coronavirus pandemic mean that courts are having to adjust to more flexible ways of operating, assisted by greater use of video and teleconferencing technology. Guidance of how this will work in practice for insolvency proceedings has been issued via the Temporary Insolvency Practice Direction. These directions will be in force from 6 April to 1 October (unless it is amended or revoked by another insolvency practice direction in the meantime) and apply to all insolvency hearings in the Business and Property Courts. Hearings outside London will be subject to variations as directed by the supervising judge.

The Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill 2020 (CIGB) is expected to be enacted at the end of June or early July and in addition to the permanent introduction of the new restructuring regime, moratorium procedure and the restriction on termination clauses in supply contracts.

Much has been written and discussed about the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill 2020 since its publication in May 2020 and its passage through Parliament at break neck speed.

How to furlough employees is one of the most common questions we are being asked. Tina Chander and Joanne Duck from our employment law team answer the most frequently asked questions in our latest podcast.

On 24 September 2020 the government announced an extension to the temporary provisions contained within the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 (CIGA 2020).

Against the background of a deepening health and economic crisis, there was surprise and criticism as the Government pressed ahead with the second reading of the Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill this week.