Note: This is an audio recording of a live webinar in our series of webinars covering the business challenges presented by the COVID-19 outbreak. To watch the webinar on demand and access the resource materials, please visit our dedicated COVID-19: Webinar Series (Global) page.

This episode looks at the options and practical considerations for organisations beyond the immediate crisis, focused on raising new equity and restructuring operations. Amongst other things, we consider key questions for management, including actions in relation to: 

• Raising new equity;
• Debt restructuring; 
• Shuttering, carving out businesses and strategic divestments; and
• Government intervention through equity stakes and wider response.

This episode is chaired by James Palmer, Chair and Senior Partner of Herbert Smith Freehills, who is joined by experts from Herbert Smith Freehills who will share their experience and views on these issues.

Note: This is an audio recording of a live webinar in our series of webinars covering the business challenges presented by the COVID-19 outbreak. To watch the webinar on demand and access the resource materials, please visit our dedicated COVID-19: Webinar Series (Global) page.

Hosted jointly with Global Counsel, this episode amongst other things considers: 

• European Commission policy developments
• Differences and similarities in approach between jurisdictions vis-à-vis business financing support and business tax reliefs; and
• Future roadmap and lessons learnt - a new Marshall plan?.

This episode is chaired by Paula Hodges QC, head of Herbert Smith Freehills' global arbitration practice, who is joined by Tom White from Global Counsel and experts from Herbert Smith Freehills who share their experience and views on these issues.

In this episode of our series of commercial litigation update podcasts, we look at the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on commercial litigation in the English courts including: the move to remote hearings; other ways in which the litigation process has been affected; and the sorts of commercial disputes the crisis is likely to give rise to in the near term and further down the track. This episode is hosted by Anna Pertoldi, a partner in our litigation team, who is joined by Maura McIntosh, a professional support consultant, and Richard Mendoza, a senior associate.

You can find links to our blog posts on the topics covered in this podcast below, or follow this link to the COVID-19 section of our Litigation Notes blog where any future updates will be posted: COVID-19 section on Litigation Notes blog. 

Links:

• COVID-19 Pressure Points: Impact of COVID-19 on class actions (UK)
• High Court declines to adjourn five-week trial due to COVID-19 pressures
• Courts relax rules on agreeing extensions to procedural deadlines in light of COVID-19 disruption
• COVID-19: The evolving picture for remote hearings in the English courts
• COVID-19 pressure points: Will this be a valid basis for avoiding contractual obligations?
• COVID-19: Impact on civil litigation in England and Wales

Merryn Quayle (Partner in our Disputes team) is host to a panel of experts discussing how to manage supply chain issues.  John Laing (Senior Expert, McKinsey) explores how businesses are coping with supply chain issues and what’s next, Kristin Stammer (Partner in our Corporate team) explores terms and products, Patrick Gay (Partner in our Competition team) discusses excessive pricing and ACCC relaxation of enforcement, and Nanda Lau (Partner in our Corporate team in China) looks at China, specifically shifting supply chains elsewhere and the state of China’s supply chain market. 

We are pleased to share with you this podcast which looks at the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ongoing and future arbitral proceedings. We explore what arbitral institutions and other organisations have been doing to assist parties and arbitral tribunals through this difficult period. The team also shares some practical tips from our recent experience on how to manage virtual hearings given the current restrictions on travel and social distancing.

This podcast is chaired by Vanessa Naish, Arbitration Practice Manager and Professional Support Consultant, who is joined by Craig Tevendale, head of our international arbitration group in London, Patricia Nacimiento, co-head of the German dispute resolution team and Kathryn Sanger, Partner in our Hong Kong office. Along with their roles at Herbert Smith Freehills, Craig, Patricia and Kathryn each have roles at arbitral institutions and also sit as arbitrators, and can therefore share multiple perspectives on the current situation.

Note: This is an audio recording of a special edition wellbeing webinar in our series of webinars covering the business challenges presented by the COVID-19 outbreak. To watch the webinar on demand and access the resource materials, please visit our dedicated COVID-19: Webinar Series (Global) page.

This episode looks at how we adapt to the impact of Coronavirus – longer periods of remote working, reduced physical and social contact with others and increasing uncertainty bring new opportunities, and unintended consequences for us as individuals and as teams in relation to culture, productivity and engagement.

We are joined by Petra Velzeboer, psychotherapist and leading mental health consultant. Proactively looking after our wellbeing, and that of those around us is increasingly important.

Among other things, we consider key questions, including in relation to:  

• Leadership and management strategies in response to stress;
• The importance of developing a positive mindset;
• Recommendations for improving our wellbeing and those of our teams; and
• Sharing experiences and case examples of successful approaches.

This episode is chaired by Chris Parsons, partner and Chairman of Herbert Smith Freehills' India practice, and a staunch advocate for mental health and wellbeing.

Note: This is an audio recording of a live webinar in our series of webinars covering the business challenges presented by the COVID-19 outbreak. To watch the webinar on demand and access the resource materials, please visit our dedicated COVID-19: Webinar Series (Global) page. 

This episode looks at a number of the key issues currently being faced by employers operating across EMEA, and the transition back to work. Among other things, we consider key questions for management, including in relation to:  

• A summary of the employment protection measures taken across Europe and trends;
• Protecting the safety of the workforce and best practice for organising a transition back to work;
• Implications for the future of work;
• Initial considerations when planning workforce restructures and collective redundancies; and
• Any potential sanctions for breach of measures financed by Governments.

This episode is chaired by Emma Rohsler, Herbert Smith Freehills' regional head of practice (EMEA) for employment pensions and incentives, who is joined by experts from Herbert Smith Freehills who share their experience and views on these issues.

Note: This is an audio recording of a live webinar in our series of webinars covering the business challenges presented by the COVID-19 outbreak.  To watch the webinar on demand and access the resource materials, please visit our dedicated COVID-19: Webinar Series (Global) page.

Hosted jointly with Global Counsel, this episode amongst other things considers: 

• Recent FDI regime changes and likely impact on cross-border M&A;
• Developing a global FDI strategy and communicating with the FDI agencies; and
• Navigating merger control regimes in the current climate.

This episode is chaired by Mark Bardell, a Herbert Smith Freehills' corporate partner, who is joined by Gregor Irwin from Global Counsel and experts from Herbert Smith Freehills who share their experience and views on these issues.

Carolyn Pugsley, Executive Partner, is host to a panel of experts discussing; market disclosure regarding COVID-19 and potential risk areas – by Timothy Stutt (Senior Associate in our Head Office Advisory team and Australian lead for our ESG practice), insurance – by Guy Narburgh (Special Counsel in our Commercial Litigation team), and Class actions – by Christine Tran (Senior Associate in our Commercial Litigation team).

Note: This is an audio recording of a live webinar in our series of webinars covering the business challenges presented by the COVID-19 outbreak. To watch the webinar on demand and access the resource materials, please visit our dedicated COVID-19: Webinar Series (Global) page.

This episode amongst other things considers:  

• Board and governance response - immediate response, information flows and decision making;
• Market disclosures - ongoing disclosure obligations;
• Corporate reporting - form, substance and timing;
• Dividends and distributions - directors' duties, policies and regulator views;
• Shareholder meetings - practicalities and shareholder engagement; and 
• Executive remuneration and share plans - pay reductions, share schemes and relevant institutional investor guidance.

This episode is chaired by James Palmer, Chair and Senior Partner of Herbert Smith Freehills, who will be joined by experts from Herbert Smith Freehills who will share their experience and views on these issues.