COVID-19: regulatory measures for financial services firms
This briefing was updated on 30 June 2020.
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This briefing was updated on 30 June 2020.
Companies with an international footprint will need to ensure that their tax residence (and other taxable presence) is not affected by travel restrictions imposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. HMRC has published guidance on these issues, which is somewhat helpful if less definitive than the approach of a number of other jurisdictions.
With COVID-19 dominating the news, Brexit may seem like a distant memory – but it hasn't gone away. In this briefing, with the help of trade policy expert Dmitry Grozoubinski, we look at what's been happening in the Brexit negotiations, what can (and can't) be done by video conference and the prospects for an extension.
On 8 April, in response to the COVID-19 crisis, the FCA announced a series of temporary measures aimed at helping listed companies to access capital through equity fundraisings.
This inaugural edition of Investment Insights for Pension Funds is devoted to the current economic crisis caused by COVID-19. Experts from across the firm share their insights on how companies are being affected, the actions they are taking, and the implications for investors.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has set out its expectations of solo-regulated firms under the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SMCR) in light of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
COVID-19 has been a shock to the system of even the best capitalised companies, with cashflow squeezes causing most companies to consider their funding positions. This briefing focuses on the various equity fundraising options for UK companies needing to tap the market and explores the changing nature of directors' duties in this context, as well as the company's disclosure obligations.
COVID-19 has been a shock to the system of even the best capitalised companies, with cashflow squeezes causing most companies to consider their funding positions. This briefing focuses on the various equity fundraising options for UK companies needing to tap the market and explores the changing nature of directors' duties in this context, as well as the company's disclosure obligations.
This briefing was updated on 3 June 2020.
Over the last 4 weeks, in the face of COVID-19 the worldwide economy has experienced the sorts of pressures not seen since the Great Depression. Businesses around the world have been forced to close their doors; we have seen government interventions which, only 3 months ago, would have been unthinkable; and terms such as "social distancing" and "furloughing" have become common parlance.
This briefing was updated on 13 May 2020.
HMRC have introduced temporary procedures for the payment of stamp duty on, and the stamping of, stock transfer forms and other instruments of transfer. Under the usual procedure, stock transfer forms are physically stamped using a specialised machine located at one of HMRC's offices.
This briefing was updated on 29 April 2020.
This briefing was updated on 23 April 2020.
There have been increasing concerns in recent weeks that UK insolvency law does not accommodate the short-term impact of COVID-19 on many businesses. In response, the Business Secretary announced on 28 March that the UK's insolvency rules would be amended as part of the Government's wider business support package.
Ofwat and Ofgem has published guidance (see Ofwat/ MOSL COVID-19 guidance update Ofgem's COVID-19 guidance webpage) to consumers and industry which gives insight into the approach the regulators are taking in response to COVID-19.
This briefing was updated on 22 June 2020.
The COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic has taken a significant toll on both the aviation and maritime sectors. Regulators in both areas have taken measures both voluntarily and involuntarily to try and mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 and have implemented guidance on the implications on both sectors resulting from the dramatic downturn in customer use and restrictions on non-critical trade routes.
On 17 March, the Government announced that the changes to the Off-Payroll rules (the 'New Rules'), due to come in on 6 April 2020, would be delayed by one year as part of a package of measures to ease pressure on businesses in light of the coronavirus outbreak. In these challenging times, the news was welcomed by clients and contractors concerned about the financial impact the changes would have on them.
The ever increasing restrictions on movement and forced physical closures of businesses as a result of COVID-19 are a serious challenge to businesses. Understanding the risks in each part of your business is key to ensuring continuity in times of severe disruption like this.
The UK Government has just updated its guidance for Employers, Employees and Businesses on coronavirus (COVID-19). This is aimed at assisting employers and businesses in providing advice to their staff on how to help prevent spread of COVID-19, what to do if someone has symptoms of COVID-19 in a business setting and eligibility for sick pay. Employees are also given guidance on relevant information such as statutory sick pay and absence from work.