Last Updated: 28.09.2020
This page provides regular Covid-19 updates, covering all of the latest information to guide you through this unprecedented time. We will revise and add to our regular Covid-19 updates, as and when new information is announced.
Published 02/06/2020
Proposed reforms to UK insolvency law
The UK government has introduced the new Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill, designed to help businesses weather the impacts of the current COVID-19 pandemic. This article looks at some of the measures including: changes to the corporate insolvency regime in the UK, and new protections for companies and their directors during the current climate.
Please see article here
Updated 26/10/2020
Financial Assistance for Businesses During Covid-19 Crisis
Dixcart has prepared a summary of the assistance that the government has made available to businesses at this challenging time. It is split into several categories to make it as easy as possible to follow.
Please see article here.
Updated 26/10/2020
Financial Assistance for the Self-Employed During the Coronavirus Crisis
On the 26 March 2020 the government published guidance entitled ‘Claim a grant through the coronavirus (Covid-19) Self-employment Income Support Scheme’. This paper has been written to assist the self-employed obtain that grant, but also explains other sources of financial assistance that are available and how the self-employed should look to maximise income and reduce costs of their business during this crisis.
Please see article here.
Published 27/05/2020
Furlough Leave and Holiday
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (the “Scheme”) was launched on 20 March 2020. The Scheme allows employers to reach agreement with employees to cease work and become ‘furloughed’ (an entirely new employment law concept). The Scheme is designed so that the Government will make payments to the employer of up to 80% of the furloughed employees salary costs (up to a maximum of £2,500).
Given that the Scheme provides (well until the end of July at least) that employees who are furloughed cannot, work much discussion has been had with regard to holiday.
The Government issued guidance on this very area on 13 May 2020, which can be found here. This article is based on that guidance.
View the full Dixcart article here.
Updated 27/05/2020
UK Immigration and Coronavirus
Not long ago, we were faced with political uncertainty with the UK’s departure from the EU. Currently, we are facing a different kind of uncertainty with the coronavirus which knows of no borders and has affected so many people across the globe.
Please see article here.
Updated: 14/05/2020
Dixcart Discuss: A series of short, commercially relevant videos providing regular Covid-19 updates
In addition to our articles, and this page which provides regular Covid-19 updates, our new Dixcart Discuss series offers short, commercially relevant videos to summarise some of the key issues relating to Covid-19.
These videos can be found here.
Published: 05/05/2020
COVID-19 and electronic signatures
Current social distancing rules may mean that physical “wet ink” signatures are difficult to obtain, whether face-to face or by scanning copies of signed originals. As such, this note provides a general overview of when electronic or digital signatures might be acceptable under English law.
Published 28/04/2020
Tax and Company Liquidation
Many family companies have been impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic with demand for their services reducing substantially. These companies may have a healthy bank balance representing accumulated profits although there may be a fear that, if the recovery is long and drawn out, these reserves will be depleted.
More information regarding the tax considerations can be found here.
Published 28/04/2020
Use of an Employee Ownership Trust for Business Exit and Succession Planning
The current Coronavirus Pandemic may have caused many business owners to consider the often-difficult topic of exit and succession planning. This frequently gives rise to a number of practical issues, especially where a trade sale is not likely, or the existing management team are perhaps not in a position to be able to raise sufficient funds to affect a traditional “Management Buy Out”.
One solution that is often overlooked is an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). Find out more here.
Published 16/04/2020
Exceptional days spent in the UK by non-UK residents as a result of Covid-19
One perhaps unforeseen consequence of the current Covid-19 is that non-UK residents may be unable to leave the UK and therefore exceed their days spent in the UK.
We have been asked by a number of clients and their advisors to clarify the position for individuals who may be affected.
More information can be found here.
