Insights
Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 : Extension of Measures
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As readers of our series on the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 (CIGA 2020) will be well aware, CIGA 2020 was passed in June and included a number of new measures intended to provide protection to business affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The various measures have been addressed in detail in our series of articles (which can be accessed here).
On 24 September 2020, the UK Government announced that a number of the measures, which were due to expire on 30 September 2020, will now be extended:
Covid-19 : Return to the Office
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With a return to work at the office now on the horizon, businesses and employers are looking at the areas that require consideration for the 'new normal'.
We have collated responses to quesions about holidays, sickness absence and pay, business travel overseas, health & safety in non-essential offices and whistleblowing.
If you have further queries about any of the topics covered in our Return to the Office bulletins, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the Employment Team.
Our Opinion - AGCC Bulletin August 2020
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"Let’s see if we can ride out the perfect storm and achieve a ‘Build, Build, Build’ future rather than an ‘Argue, Argue, Argue (Bust)’ one."
Robert McDiarmid features in the latest edition of the Bulletin published by Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce.
The focus is the construction industry and the unique circumstances of a pandemic and lockdown, which have led to contract renegotiations within the supply chain.
Covid-19 : Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act : Winding Up Petitions
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Our Restructuring and Insolvency Team are looking at the potential impact of the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020. This article looks at the temporary restriction on lodging winding-up petitions.
The stated intention of the Act is to assist in the recovery of businesses which are suffering as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The measures introduced by the Act are a combination of permanent changes to insolvency and corporate governance law in the UK and temporary provisions to assist with the short term recovery of viable businesses. Section 10 and Schedule 10 (section 11 and Schedule 11 for Northern Ireland) of the Act set out the temporary measures introduced to restrict the presentation of winding up petitions at this time.
The Impact of Covid-19 on EMI options
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Enterprise Management Incentive options (EMI)
On 29 June 2020, an amendment was published to the Finance Bill 2020 to amend section 535 and Schedule 5 of the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (ITEPA 2003).
The new clause has the effect of relaxing the rules relating to the working time commitment which might otherwise lead to a disqualifying event for EMI options, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Covid-19 : Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act : Restructuring Plans
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Our Restructuring and Insolvency Team are looking at the potential impact of the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020. This article looks at the restructuring plan introduced by the Act.
As discussed in our previous article on the moratorium procedure, insolvency law in the UK is largely built on a system of creditor-led procedure with creditors having the power to instigate the insolvency process and to approve procedures proposed by the company or its directors. However, the Act seeks to introduce new measures that are driven by the debtor company rather than its creditors. In addition to the moratorium the Act introduces a new procedure for arrangements and the reconstruction of companies in financial difficulty. These measures are referred to as ‘Restructuring Plans’ and are akin to a Scheme of Arrangement under Part 26 of the Companies Act 2006.
Covid-19 : The Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act : Statutory Demands
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Our Restructuring and Insolvency Team have been looking at the potential impact of the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020. This article looks at the temporary provisions introduced in relation to statutory demands for payment.
What is a statutory demand for payment?
A statutory demand for payment sent to a company is a formal written warning issued by a creditor to a debtor stating that if payment is not made within 21 days a petition to wind the company up and appoint a liquidator may be presented to court.
Covid-19 : Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill : Corporate Governance
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Throughout June, the Firm’s Restructuring and Insolvency Team are reviewing the potential impact of the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act. So far we have looked in detail at some of the new tools which are to be introduced to allow struggling businesses more breathing space to pursue a rescue plan. The Act also addresses other more practical issues which UK companies have faced throughout the COVID-19 pandemic by providing certain temporary relaxations to the legal requirements to hold meetings or file documents with Companies House on time.
