As 2020 passed the baton to 2021, any optimism we may have been harbouring about a gradual return to normality, as the vaccination programme began its rollout, was badly dented by another lockdown and the inevitable economic disruption that entails.

Podcast from Caroline Benfield and Elizabeth Taylor on the Corporate Insolvency & Governance Bill 2020.

The response from insurers to claims for business interruption has largely been to decline cover, adopting an argument, amongst others, that it was not the intention of the policy of insurance to cover a pandemic scenario of the severity we have experienced.

We have been following the travails of the high street for over 12 months where changing shopping habits, business rates and rent increases have been contributing to a growing strain on many landlord / tenant relationships.

Our 2021 spring / summer edition of Law & Land features a round up of news including latest furlough news and statutory wage rates, and updates on the slurry investment scheme, rights of way, seasonal workers and the Countryside Stewardship mirror agreements.

It is important that employees are supported during long Covid, including being signposted to potential internal and external support systems to assist with but also encourage them to be proactive in their recovery.

In our Housebuilders Campaign, we explore the problems and concerns of this sector in conversation with five regional developers. We highlight some of the champions of this industry and discuss the innovative approaches they are taking to alleviate some of the sector’s biggest headaches.

In these in uncertain times, more than ever, families may want to change the way an inheritance from a deceased relative or friend is divided

Economic forecasts suggest that the UK is heading for the biggest recession in generations and as such insolvency professionals are gearing up for possibly the busiest period in their professional careers.

Over the last few years, the opportunity for businesses in financial difficulty to be rescued by proposing a restructuring plan rather than entering an insolvency procedure has generally been well received by stakeholders. Making this measure more accessible to SMEs may see it become an even more popular regeneration option for businesses and their creditors.