News
Decommissioning Security - Testing times
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We are living through a perfect storm. Russia has withdrawn from the OPEC+ arrangement and both Saudi Arabia and Russia are ramping up production. At the same time demand is being destroyed by the measures required to combat the spread of Covid-19. The oil price has crashed. It is 30th March 2020 and this morning Brent Crude Oil Futures are sitting at slightly under $23 per barrel.
Working Time (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020
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On 26 March 2020 the Working Time (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (“WTCA Regulations”) were made, coming into force with immediate effect. These regulations affect rights of workers to carry over holidays which they were unable to take due to coronavirus.
Covid-19 : BIL Scheme and Wrongful Trading
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The UK and Scottish Governments have taken a number of measures to help companies weather the Coronavirus crisis. These include the Business Interruption Loan Scheme (Scheme) which has been introduced by the UK Government to provide SMEs with access to loans, overdrafts, invoice finance and asset finance of up to £5 million. This support has been welcomed by businesses coming to terms with the economic consequences of the current crisis but taking advantage of these sources of funding is not always straightforward; borrowing needs to be repaid and directors are subject to director duties and rules on wrongful trading which can result in directors incurring personal liability.
Covid-19 : Information for House Purchasers and Sellers
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Those in the process of moving home or who are planning to do so in the near future, will doubtless already be aware that sales and purchases of residential property have been severely disrupted as a result of the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.
What are the main problems?
- Registers of Scotland is closed to new applications
COVID-19 : New Guidance on Making a Will
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The Law Society of Scotland has issued guidance on the correct procedures for Solicitors taking Will instructions from new and existing clients during this period when face to face meetings with clients are not possible.
Witnessing
Particularly welcome is the guidance on the situation where it is not possible for a witness to be present in person during the signing process.
COVID-19 : Irritancy (termination) of leases in Scotland
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Commercial property has not been left unaffected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The closure of all non-essential businesses has caused disruption and uncertainty for both landlords and tenants. One particular concern for tenants is the prospect of their lease being terminated early due to an inability to continue to pay rent.
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
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Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme - 'Furlough leave'
On Friday 20th March, the Chancellor set out a package of temporary measures to support people and businesses through the period of disruption caused by COVID-19.
These measures include a new 'Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme'. Under the scheme all UK employers will be able to access support to continue paying part of their employees’ salary for those employees that would otherwise have been 'laid off' during this crisis.
Emergency Volunteering Leave
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On Wednesday 25th March 2020, the Coronavirus Act 2020 received Royal Assent. This comes amongst emergency legislation the Government has introduced to help combat the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Act introduces ‘emergency volunteering leave’ which gives workers the opportunity to leave their main job to volunteer temporarily in the NHS or social care sector. Employees will be permitted to apply to an appropriate authority for a certificate which will allow them to act as an emergency volunteer in health or social care.
