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: 

• addressing supplier and customer financial distress;
• competition law issues - pricing, relaxation of competition law rules, abuse of economic dependence;
• product-related issues arising from over demand or failure of supply chains; and
• suspension of performance and other contractual issues.

This episode is chaired by Paula Hodges QC, head of Herbert Smith Freehills' global Arbitration practice, who will be joined by Tom White from Global Counsel and 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. 

This episode looks at a number of the key issues currently being faced by UK employers, and the government support available. Among other things, we consider key questions for management, including in relation to:

• handling employee sickness, holiday and self-isolation;
• the challenges around home working;
• government's Job Retention Scheme (including coverage for pension contributions); and
• collective redundancies and alternatives for cutting costs (including the scope for employers to reduce or defer pension contributions).

This episode is chaired by James Palmer, Chair and Senior Partner of Herbert Smith Freehills, who is joined by expert colleagues Tim Leaver and Rachel Pinto (Partners in our Employment, Pensions and Incentives team) who will share their experience and views on these issues.

Carolyn Pugsley, Executive Partner, is host to a panel of experts discussing the employment and tax issues associated with both claiming and administering JobKeeper.  Panellists; Andrew Howe and Daniel Sydes (Partners of Greenwoods & Herbert Smith Freehills, our affiliated tax advisory firm) and Anna Creegan (Partner in our Employment, Industrial Relations and Safety team) explore how to determine if you are eligible for JobKeeper, claiming the benefit, flow-on tax consequences and implications of JobKeeper payments for employers.

Hosted by Merryn Quayle (Partner in our Disputes team), this episode focuses on the behaviour of regulators and how it is impacting transactions – discussed by Adam Charles (Partner in our Corporate team); and investigations, enforcement and the courts – discussed by Hugh Paynter (Partner in our Disputes team).  Also shared is an important JobKeeper scheme and Fair Work Act update – by Shivchand Jhinku (Executive Counsel in our Employment, Industrial Relations and Safety team).

Hosted jointly with Global Counsel, this podcast will look at the government support available to companies facing a liquidity crisis. Amongst other things, we shall consider key questions for management, including immediate actions in relation to: 

• cutting costs and stabilising the business;
• drawing down under existing facilities;
• accessing government support packages; and
• State aid as an issue even in these extreme times.

Speakers:

James Palmer, Chair and Senior Partner, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP
Leo Ringer, Adviser, Global Counsel
Kevin Pullen, Partner, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP
Lode Van Den Hende, Partner, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP

Carolyn Pugsley, Executive Partner, is host to a panel of Herbert Smith Freehills experts discussing the most important COVID-19 topics of the week. Paul Apathy, Partner in our Finance team, discusses the temporary changes to corporate insolvency laws, Drew Pearson, Partner in our Employment, Industrial Relations and Safety team, explores the JobKeeper Payment announcement and the latest employment implications of COVID-19, and Erin Wyeth, Partner in our Projects team, concludes with potential pressure points in contracts, including those in the force majeure and change in law regimes.

How are construction contracts currently being affected by the COVID-2019 coronavirus and what is the extent to which insurance cover might protect against losses?

James Doe, Emma Schaafsma & Sarah McNally discuss these points in our latest podcast.

Dealing with distress and claims, reporting and disclosure

Speakers:
Chair – Stephen Wilkinson (introductory and closing remarks)
Insurance – Sarah McNally
Governance – Gareth Sykes

Protecting deals, supply chains and regulatory screening

Speakers:
Chair – Stephen Wilkinson (introductory and closing remarks)
Contracts – James Doe
M&A – Gavin Davies

Managing liquidity, covenants, defaults and capital calls

Speakers:
Chair – Stephen Wilkinson (introductory and closing remarks)
Debt – Kevin Pullen
Equity – Mike Flockhart