A recent High Court judgment has provided some clarity on issues arising from the Debt Respite Scheme (Breathing Space Moratorium and Mental Health Crisis Moratorium) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020 (“the Regulations 2020”). Partner Alex Jay and Senior Paralegal Aarti Chadda examine the judgment and its interpretation of the Regulations 2020.

Investor frauds never go away

Non-professional investors are often enticed by promises of high returns to place money into schemes that turn out to be scams. These schemes adopt many guises and forms. But do they ever change, and how likely are they to emerge as the expected post-Covid economic uncertainty takes effect? Head of Insolvency and Asset Recovery Alex Jay examines investor fraud and how the insolvency process can help victims recover some of their money.

Increases in fraud and insolvency predicted

Business interruption (BI) insurance protects businesses against loss suffered as a result of a slowdown or suspension of operations. This includes loss of profits, loan payments and certain expenditure, such as rent.

.A look at relevant employment laws and litigation vulnerabilities that companies, including their owners, officers and directors, should consider before ceasing operations or filing for bankruptcy. 

Alex Jay writes for Accountancy Daily on various scenarios for companies looking to restructure their office space in the wake of the pandemic and subsequent re-evaluation of the use of office space.

According to the Guinness Book of Records, one Mr Johnson George of India holds the world record for the most roles played by any actor in one film. He played 45 roles, including Gandhi, Leonardo Da Vinci and Jesus. Company directors don’t have quite as many roles, nor are they as lofty.

In late June 2020, the UK’s Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act (the Act) became law.1

”The Supreme Court has today handed down its judgment in R (on the application of KBR, Inc) (Appellant) v Director of the Serious Fraud Office (Respondent) [2021] UKSC 2, an important decision relating to the Serious Fraud Office’s powers to issue notices on foreign companies under section 2(3) of the Criminal Justice Act 1987. In this article, David Savage, Head of Financial Crime looks at the case, and what the ruling means for the SFO’s investigative powers.

Summary

Op 12 november 2020 heeft de Tweede Kamer het wetsvoorstel tot wijziging van de Tijdelijke wet COVID-19 SZW en JenV (35557) als hamerstuk aangenomen. Vandaag, 24 november 2020, is het wetsvoorstel ook door de Eerste Kamer als hamerstuk afgedaan. Het wetvoorstel maakt het mogelijk (in Hoofdstuk 2 Tijdelijke voorziening betalingsuitstel COVID-19) om de rechter te verzoeken:

A legislative proposal to amend the Temporary Act COVID-19 was adopted by the Dutch parliament on 12 November 2020, and adopted by the Dutch Senate on 24 November 2020. The proposal (the COVID-19 Amendment Act) will enter into force shortly and remain in effect until 1 February 2021. This GT Alert summarizes the measures included in COVID-19 Amendment Act Chapter 2 (Temporary measures for the stay on recovery measures COVID-19).

The COVID-19 Amendment Act provides (in Chapter 2) for the possibility of the debtor requesting that the courts, in connection with the pandemic: