In this article we consider how the current challenging environment is impacting M&A in the insurance sector

We are living in volatile times. As a consequence of the COVID-19 virus, our equity and high-yield markets have witnessed large swings, making it difficult to value assets. Uncertainty over the timing and extent of the recovery has also made it difficult to value income streams. Moreover, debt financing has become more challenging. All of these factors are contributing to a challenging environment for M&A.

Although the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic have, and continue to, put exceptional pressure on supply chains, the reality is that the insolvency of a business partner is a risk even in normal times. When that business partner is on the other side of pending arbitration proceedings, questions arise as to how the insolvency affects the substantive claim as well as the underlying procedure.

For months, landlords and tenants impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic have wondered whether force majeure clauses in leases would excuse a tenant's non-payment of rent. On June 3, 2020, a Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois offered us an early look into how courts might interpret such clauses in the midst of the current crisis. In In re Hitz Restaurant Group, No. 20-B05012, 2020 WL 2924523 (Bankr. N.D. Ill. June 3, 2020), the Bankruptcy Court ruled that Executive Order 2020-7, the Stay-at-Home Order (the "Order") enacted by Illinois Governor, J.B.

Hogan Lovells Publications | 15 June 2020

Navigating distress and insolvency in the oil and gas industry

Following the success of our three-part webinar series produced together with Houlihan Lokey in Spring 2020, we have developed reports summarizing how companies and investors can better navigate distress and insolvency in the oil and gas industry.

The impact of COVID-19 is yet to be fully realized, and many companies are yet to consider restructuring as a means to survive the pandemic, but all companies and all creditors can benefit now from learning how employee matters are treated in a bankruptcy proceeding under chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code (as amended, the Bankruptcy Code). This blog provides a high-level overview of some of the most material matters affecting an employee workforce in the context of a chapter 11 restructuring.

RE: A COMPANY (INJUNCTION TO RESTRAIN PRESENTATION OF PETITION)

Die Corona-Krise zeigt bereits nach wenigen Monaten erhebliche Auswirkungen auf die finanzielle Lage vieler Unternehmen. Während sich die Bundesregierung bemüht, Hilfspakete auf den Weg zu bringen und Kurzarbeit zu fördern, sind die Folgen für viele Branchen vernichtend. Manche Unternehmen werden auf lange Sicht eine Insolvenz nicht abwenden können. Eine bevorstehende Insolvenz zeichnet sich oft dadurch ab, dass der Arbeitgeber nicht mehr in der Lage ist, seine Arbeitnehmer zu bezahlen.

Was passiert mit ausstehenden Löhnen?

Hogan Lovells Publications | 03 June 2020

A creditor's game plan in Chapter 11: Five things to consider

Hogan Lovells Publications | 29 May 2020

Implications of COVID-19 on the Australian Mining Industry

Government interventions into economies as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic are now globally widespread. To date, in the UK, this has predominantly been focussed on relief measures targeted at financial support, including the creation of government backed loan schemes and the furlough scheme.