As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to spread it is presenting an increasing range of challenges for businesses and individuals alike.
We have never seen such an intense period of regulatory and social change and that, coupled with the lockdown and other restrictions in place, creates a unique trading situation and novel and far reaching challenges.
As lockdown and restrictions are lifted, businesses will face the novel challenge of returning to work safely, and restarting or reviewing their commercial relationships. It is crucially important that businesses consider and adapt existing ways of working and make the necessary changes to ensure their employees, customers and operations are protected. This will include putting in place a robust and documented safety system for your business, managing customer and employee expectations, and ensuring your commercial agreements protect you from COVID-19 risk.
To provide support to businesses and individuals, we’ve pulled together a cross-disciplinary team of lawyers to provide dedicated support in response to COVID-19 related enquiries, see the boxes below to find out more.
We will be posting regular updates on issues that may affect our clients’ businesses below and our experts are on hand to provide any support and advice you may need. Click to view all COVID-19 related articles
Find out more about the measures Ashfords have in place
Specialisms
Get a Head Start with Return to Work Procedures
As the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and other business support schemes reduce and cease over coming weeks and months, employers and senior management will be faced with a serious and significant task.
Find out moreReopening your business? Do your terms protect you against key COVID-19 risks?
With many leisure and tourism businesses now allowed to reopen, there has been a focus on implementing Government and trade-association guidance on COVID-19 risk controls. The next step, is to mirror these practical steps, with robust COVID-19 specific terms and conditions.
Find out moreCOVID-19 webinar: Returning to work - health & safety and related employment issues
Watch our webinar: Returning to work - health & safety and related employment issues
Find out moreCLICK TO VIEW ALL COVID-19 ARTICLES AND UPDATES
We produce regular articles and updates, please visit our news page to view these
Find out moreFurlough – what is changing and when will it come to an end?
On 12 May 2020, Rishi Sunak announced that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) was to be extended until 31 October 2020 but that changes were to be made to the CJRS and these were to be announced by the end of May.
Find out moreThe impact of COVID-19 on offices, retail and warehouses – predictions for the future
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused approximately one third of the world’s population to live in some form of quarantine. In the UK, the restrictions imposed to limit the spread of the virus have forced the country to change the way in which it lives, shops and works.
Find out moreCOVID-19: Returning to work – Health & Safety and related employment issues
The guidance has not changed substantially following Boris Johnson’s briefing on Sunday the 11th May: employees should work from home when they can but if that is not possible then they can and should go to work unless they are in one of the sectors that has been shut down by law (hospitality and non-essential retail).
Find out moreUnlocking Lockdown: 10 issues employers should be thinking about now
On 10 May 2020, the Prime Minister announced the first steps the country will be taking to unlock lockdown, in the road to a “new normal”. The Prime Minister’s announcement included encouraging those who cannot work from home to return to the workplace, provided social distancing measures could be maintained.
Find out moreUpdated Direction on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
On 22 May, the Government published a further Direction relating to the functioning of the CJRS. This updated direction changes the end date of the CJRS scheme from 31 May to 30 June; the already-announced extensions of the CJRS beyond the end of June are not covered by the updated Direction, so a further direction will be required to address the workings of the CJRS from July to October.
Find out moreThe transition from parenting children whilst living under the same roof, to co-parenting from separate households brings with it unchartered challenges for separating couples.
Find out moreLandlords and tenants - a new model of co-operation
The beginning phase of COVID-19 has accelerated the failure of numerous retail stores both chains and single store occupiers. Phase 2 of the pandemic will see further tenants in distress and increasing numbers of retail shops which will not re-open.
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