Esta semana cabe destacar la nueva línea de avales, la prórroga de los ERTE, los efectos de la crisis en los precios de transferencia, la vuelta de la actividad judicial y los posibles ‘escudos’ para empresas en dificultades.

Recent regulatory developments of interest to all financial institutions. Includes key COVID-19 updates from the UK FCA, AML/CTF updates and more.

COVID-19: FCA statement on handling of post and paper documents

On 13 May 2020, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published a statement on how firms should handle post and paper documents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Australian government has taken swift action to enact new legislation that significantly changes the insolvency laws relevant to all business as a result of the ongoing developments related to COVID-19.

The Coronavirus Economic Response Package Omnibus Act 2020 (Response Act) became effective on March 25, 2020, and is an effort to provide temporary relief to companies experiencing financial distress as a result of the ongoing and rapidly changing economic slowdown caused by COVID-19.

The COVID-19 Response Act

*Fried Frank published a memorandum titled COVID-19 Pandemic: Key UK Government and Bank of England Initiatives to Support Businesses on March 30, 2020 ("March 30 Memorandum") and published an update to the March 30 Memorandum on April 15, 2020 (the "April 15 Update"). In light of the rapidly developing situation and government response, the April 15 Update has been further updated to include the latest guidance provided by the UK Government, in particular as to employment retention initiatives and loan schemes, and is current as of May 12, 2020.

GOVERNANCE & SECURITIES LAW FOCUS

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MAY 2020/LATIN AMERICA

Below is a summary of the main developments in US, EU, and UK corporate governance and securities law since our last update in February 2020.

Financial regulatory developments are available here.

IN THIS ISSUE

Colombian State of Emergency

The president of Colombia decreed a State of Emergency on the national territory due to the recent COVID-19 outbreak. He has issued a series of measures to contain its effects on public health and the economy. This chapter will be updated on a daily basis, including the principal measures issued by the national government.

Las empresas deben estar atentas esta semana a la fase 1 de la ‘desescalada’, el tercer tramo de avales, la prórroga de los ERTE, el posible retraso en la aplicación de directivas de IVA y de la DAC6 y las medidas de apoyo al sector cultural.

Businesses large and small have been affected by the coronavirus crisis. It seems that no industry has been spared economic hardship. As many states prepare to reopen their economies, there are some businesses that will not be able to resume operations—it is too little, too late. Even with massive spending by the federal government to counteract the economic downturn, it appears that a large number of business bankruptcies may be on the horizon.

02  Employment and Pensions

2.1   Whilst some COVID-19 measures relating to employment are adopted globally (e.g., self-isolation and working from home), the implementation of such measures and employment protections vary per jurisdiction. For the latest employment law guidance, we recommend that you read our latest Global Employment Guide, which covers 11 key questions across 41 jurisdictions.

2.2   Now

Phase 1 of the ‘scaling-down’ process, third tranche of guarantees, extension of ERTE temporary layoffs, potential delay in the application of VAT directives and of DAC6, and measures to support the cultural sector