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Businesses across the spectrum are experiencing significant disruptions and challenges to their operations as a result of the pandemic.

The government has provided support in a number of ways to keep businesses going. These include:

  • deferral of VAT
  • deferral of income tax payments
  • government backed and guaranteed loans (CBILS)
  • rate relief for the retail, hospitality and leisure industry
  • cash grants for small businesses
  • the Coronavirus Retention Scheme – furlough leave for employees.

These measures are no doubt a great help to struggling businesses but they may not be sufficient to stave off insolvency, and a requirement to call in an administrator or liquidator. However, it is thought that further measures are about to be introduced by the government which will temporarily relax some of the more draconian regulatory provisions as they apply to businesses in a position where they are unable to continue trading. These include:

  • a review of the rules of wrongful trading (under which directors can incur a personal liability) to allow directors to continue with business as usual to the extent possible
  • a moratorium for companies giving them breathing space from creditors enforcing their debts for a period of time whilst they seek a rescue or restructure
  • a new restructuring plan binding creditors to that plan
  • a protocol for administrators to allow for a “debtor in possession” trading administration; and
  • further rules around when and how a winding up petition might be presented.

Whilst we are waiting for the detailed legislation to be introduced in order to implement these measures, they will nonetheless be a welcome relief for businesses facing unparalleled difficulty.

Edwin Coe has put together a multi-specialist task force to provide advice to businesses in this situation and for taking advantage of these new insolvency relief measures.

This will include:

  • tailored advice based on the new legislation when it is published
  • work around plans including debt/equity swaps, restructurings, asset realisations, financing and other fund raising opportunities (including potential introductions to institutions seeking investment opportunities)
  • access to our panel of Insolvency Practitioners
  • employment advice in relation to the work force
  • utilisation of procedures to keep businesses afloat including arrangements with creditors.

For an initial consultation without charge please contact any of the following:

Ali Zaidi, Head of Litigation & Insolvency; Simeon Gilchrist, Partner – Restructuring & Insolvency; Russel Shear, Head of Corporate & Commercial or Linky Trott, Head of Employment.

About Edwin Coe

Edwin Coe LLP is a full service law firm based in the heart of London’s historic legal district in Lincoln’s Inn. Founded in 1913, we have grown from our litigation origins to become a thriving and dynamic practice, providing a comprehensive range of legal services to meet the needs of a wide variety of businesses, individuals and organisations based throughout the UK and internationally.

With 42 Partners, we are ranked 115 in the 2023 edition of The Lawyer ‘UK 200’ law firms and are recommended in all the major legal directories. We provide clients with innovative, tailored and integrated legal services and combine a highly personal and responsive service with industry leading expertise.

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