COVID-19 update: Changes to the Companies House strike off procedure
On 16 April 2020, Companies House announced temporary changes to its strike procedures as part of its measures to protect and support businesses due to the coronavirus outbreak. David Browne of Hewitsons explains.
COVID-19 and the implications for business immigration
The coronavirus outbreak has caused a great deal of disruption for all employers across the UK. However, for those that sponsor migrant workers under the points-based system, the closure of borders, the closure of businesses and remote working of staff has caused additional complications, says Gemma Hill of Hewitsons.
Commercial landlords - handling unpaid rent
With the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic disrupting the economy, the likelihood of commercial tenants defaulting on their rent payments is growing. However, when a tenant says they are unable to pay their rent, what options do commercial landlords have available? Rachel Sims of Hewitsons discusses the issues.
Instructions for signing your conveyancing documents
The residential property market continues to adapt to the restrictions being placed on us all as part of the battle against COVID-19. Simon Cooper of Hewitsons explains.
Commercial leases: lessons of lockdown
The economic shock to business caused by the coronavirus lockdown does call into consideration certain aspects of standard leases of commercial property that the industry has taken for granted for decades. Being impartial, could we consider the following? asks David Wells, Partner for Hewitsons Real Estate team.
Temporary takeaway use for restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars
The business closure restrictions introduced by the Government has significantly impacted the retail and hospitality sector. Luckily for some businesses, a recent temporary extension of the General Permitted Development Order 2015 (GPDO) now allows restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars to provide a takeaway service. Brendon Lee of Hewitsons outlines the details.
COVID-19 – respite for renters
At an early stage in the crisis, the Government reassured tenants that it would bring in emergency legislation to prevent landlords from starting possession proceedings for at least a three month period. Rachel Sims of Hewitsons reports.
Virtual planning committees – new regulations increase flexibility of local authority meetings
On 2nd April the Government issued the Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and Police and Crime Panel Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020, which came into force on 4 April.
Get ahead of the game – service of notices under leases
With the advances in technology, many aspects of our daily lives have moved online. This is where we can efficiently and effectively share ideas and communicate. There are however a number of areas, particularly in the legal sphere, that have not caught up.
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: an update from HMRC
HMRC has published guidance on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (the Scheme), in particular in respect of an employer’s claim for wages of employees on furlough leave due to COVID-19.
Planning and Environmental Law - the relevance of the Government’s coronavirus restrictions on legal tests requiring continuous uninterrupted use
The unprecedented Coronavirus pandemic is affecting every part of our daily working and personal lives. This includes the temporary closure of business premises under the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Business Closure) (England) Regulations 2020 and the social distancing and self-isolation requirements under the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020. Brendon…
COVID-19: An update on residential property transactions
The response to the Coronavirus epidemic, and the impact on residential property transactions, continues to evolve. Further guidance to the legal profession has been issued, following talks between various departments of Government, the Law Society, the Land Registry and others. Simon Cooper of Hewitsons explaiins.
Commercial tenants – moratorium on lease forfeiture caught between a rock and a hard place…
As COVID-19 sweeps the country and the Government forces closure of retail, hospitality and leisure premises, these businesses (and businesses in many other sectors) are now experiencing a significant drop in turnover. Alexandra Messham of Hewitsons discusses the issues.
COVID-19, electronic signatures and property deeds
For those property deals that have been agreed and are still progressing, there are logistical challenges for clients and lawyers. As remote working increases, enforced isolation means it is no longer straightforward to execute a deed. Statute requires leases (over three years), land transfers and some other property agreements to be made by ‘deed’ (as opposed to a mere contract). The problem is…
Mineral ownership
Ownership of land generally includes ownership of the airspace above the land and of the ground below it. However, it’s not uncommon to find a situation where the underlying minerals are not owned by the surface landowner. This must be addressed before any land development is planned.
Coronavirus Act 2020 receives Royal Assent
You will have seen and heard in the media that Parliament has been dealing with the Coronavirus Bill 2020. This received Royal Assent yesterday (25th March) and so is now on the statute books. Nick Hall of Hewitsons outlines some of its provisions:
Are construction project activities still permitted?
Media coverage about construction workers still travelling to project sites, despite the further COVID-19 measures introduced by the Government on 23 March 2020, raises the question of whether construction project activity is still permitted?
Globally respected lawyer Lewis Isaacs retires after 50 years
Highly-respected lawyer Lewis Isaacs is to formally retire after 50 years with Cambridge law firm Hewitsons, where his notable achievements include playing a fundamental role in establishing LawExchange International (LEI), a global network of independent law firms which last year celebrated its 25th anniversary.
Coronavirus: implications for landlords- a question of who is in control
With the outbreak of COVID-19, caused by the coronavirus, and the ripple effect of travel and border restrictions, government policies to encourage social distancing and the threat of a global recession as financial markets struggle to combat the economic impact of what is being described as one of the worst outbreaks of an infectious disease in the last century, the message of doom and gloom is…
COVID-19 and commercial landlords
The current period of uncertainty and significant financial hardship will have a huge impact for landlords of commercial premises and the commercial property market generally, warns Rachel Sims of Hewitsons.
COVID-19: next steps for businesses
As businesses struggle to cope with the impact of the Coronavirus outbreak and the shifting sands of governmental advice and warnings, it is hard to know where to turn and what actions should be a priority. Below Hewitsons outlines key considerations for any business to take at this stage in the outbreak.
Covid-19 – respite for private housing tenants
Boris Johnson announced this week that the government would be bringing in emergency legislation to prevent landlords starting possession proceedings for at least a three month period. The measures will protect tenants in private and social housing, says Rachel Sims of Hewitsons.
Hewitsons assists family firm in buyer’s biggest UK acquisition to date
Cambridge legal firm Hewitsons has played a key role in the sale of vehicle services provider C Walton Ltd (CWL) by the Walton family to Cox Automotive UK Limited (Cox) in what is its biggest UK takeover to date.
Budget 2020: the highlights from a Real Estate perspective
On 11 March, the Chancellor delivered the Spring Budget for 2020. The budget details a commitment to building more homes and improving infrastructure, says Hewitsons.
COVID-19 and empty premises
We are facing unprecedented circumstances at present with the spread of COVID-19 affecting the way we work and go about our business. Business leaders and owners are having to adapt their working practices to ensure that as much as possible it is “business as usual”.