Following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) which has seen the global economy descend into a state of turmoil, companies around the world strive to weather the storm of unprecedented challenges to their businesses. As Malaysia undergoes the fourth phase of its Movement Control Order to further curb the spread of COVID-19, companies are already planning or putting in place the necessary measures to soften the impact of COVID-19 on their businesses.
This week’s TGIF considers a decision of the Federal Court which enabled administrators of Virgin to send electronic notices, conduct electronic meetings and absolved them from personal liability for leases for four weeks due to COVID-19.
Background
On 20 April 2020, administrators were appointed to Virgin Australia Holdings Ltd and 37 of its subsidiaries (together, the Virgin Companies).
In brief
The North America Tax Practice Group presented The Future of IP Planning, the fourth webinar in the series The Importance of Tax in the Response to COVID-19 on 1 May 2020.
As a director or manager of a UAE company, you will know that like individuals, companies experience times of good health and occasional periods of sickness.
In this note, we focus on you, as directors (which includes managers) of “onshore” limited liability companies (“LLCs”), noting of course that the rules may also apply to certain free zone entities as well. We want you as directors to be certain of your duties and responsibilities in the good times but also sure of the actions you should or could take if things go wrong for your company, and financial difficulties arise.
Nicola Sharp of business crime solicitors Rahman Ravelli explains wrongful trading and the responsibilities placed on directors.
In response to the crisis caused by Covid-19, Business Secretary Alok Sharma announced in March a relaxation of the UK’s insolvency framework. Included in this – along with key payment safeguards for creditors and suppliers - was a temporary suspension of wrongful trading provisions with retrospective effect from 1 March, for an initial period of three months.
On 28 March 2020, the Government proposed certain insolvency law reforms in response to the COVID-19 crisis, including a temporary suspension of wrongful trading provisions for company directors.
The measures are intended to apply retrospectively from 1 March 2020 for three months, and aim to encourage directors to continue to trade during the pandemic.
In brief
The Federal Judiciary Council issued on April 27, 2020, the General Resolution 8/2020 on the Work Plan and Contingency Measures in the Jurisdictional Entities as a consequence of the Covid-19 Virus (the "Resolution").
The Resolution establishes that during the period from May 6 to May 31, 2020, only new requests, claims, ancillary proceedings and appeals, i.e. not previously filed, will be processed in urgent cases, regardless of whether they are filed physically or electronically.
Recent weeks have witnessed seismic shifts in the oil and gas industry because of crashing oil prices, demand destruction associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, and crude oil storage reaching record capacity levels. Upstream producers are especially vulnerable to these market pressures and have begun shutting in wells, asserting force majeure, and cutting costs. As counterparties to distressed producers, midstream players face new challenges in navigating contractual relationships and mitigating risk.
The COVID-19 crisis has imposed difficult global challenges on the retail industry. Mass closures of brick and mortar store fronts and supply chain disruptions have resulted in an unprecedented halt to business activities. Nevertheless, there are some steps retailers can take to better protect their business interests.
In this week’s update: the High Court orders scheme creditor meetings to be held by phone, IA guidance on executive pay and a few other items.
Covid-19 is affecting the way people conduct their business, retain their staff, engage with clients, comply with regulations and the list goes on. Read our thoughts on these issues and many others on our dedicated Covid-19 page.
Court allows scheme meetings to be held electronically