Government to push through insolvency reforms as coronavirus crisis bites March 25, 2020 The government is pushing to overhaul insolvency laws to help companies and individuals weather the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The Insolvency Service has begun asking for the views of the restructuring industry about potential urgent changes to company legislation, Sky News reported. The reforms could include a moratorium on winding-up petitions against [...]
All new jury trials halted in England and Wales amid coronavirus outbreak March 23, 2020 The head of the judiciary has ordered all new jury trials to be suspended until systems are brought in to ensure social distancing measures amid the coronavirus outbreak. Lord Chief Justice Ian Burnett said courts had already put in place arrangements to use telephone and video to allow some hearings to continue. But he said [...]
Courts scramble to move online as coronavirus hits trials March 19, 2020 Courts in England and Wales have begun a painstaking move away from physical appearances towards online and telephone hearings as the coronavirus epidemic intensifies. Today, the head of the judiciary, the Lord Chief Justice said: “The default position now in all jurisdictions must be that hearings should be conducted with one, more than one or [...]
Barristers push for suspension of jury trials during coronavirus outbreak March 18, 2020 Barristers have continued to push the government to suspend jury trials amid risks to the health of court users and jurors during the coronavirus outbreak. Late last night the head of the judiciary said that all jury trials longer than three days would be suspended. The Lord Chancellor Robert Buckland today reinforced last night’s decision, [...]
Crown court trials to be suspended after lawyers push back on health fears March 17, 2020 Crown court trials expected to last longer than three days have been put on hold due to the coronavirus outbreak after sustained pressure from lawyers. Tonight, the Lord Chief Justice released a statement announcing the adjournment of all cases of this length expected to begin in April. The move came after the head of the [...]
Coronavirus: Jury trials ‘Russian roulette’ says QC chief as she calls for their suspension March 17, 2020 The head of the barristers body for England and Wales today called for the government to halt jury trials which she said were a “game of Russian roulette with the participants’ health” during the current coronavirus crisis. The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) is insisting that the business of the courts continue, despite the Prime Minister [...]
Unaoil bribery trial suspended amid coronavirus concerns March 17, 2020 The trial of three executives accused of paying bribes to win oil contracts was suspended today amid concerns about the coronavirus pandemic. The three Unaoil executives, Ziad Akle, Paul Bond and Stephen Whiteley, have been accused by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) of conspiring to make corrupt payments in relation to oil contracts in Iraq. [...]
Coronavirus: Law and accountancy firms move to remote working in face of covid-19 pandemic March 16, 2020 A string of big legal and accountancy firms have triggered emergency remote working plans this week, sending thousands of workers home as the coronavirus crisis rages. Big Four audit firm Deloitte is asking all its UK staff to work from home tomorrow, while KPMG is allowing staff to work from home if they choose. Magic [...]
Coronavirus: Audit regulator says financial results could be delayed as it holds weekly calls with big accountancy firms March 16, 2020 The audit watchdog the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) said today it was holding weekly calls with large accountancy firms amid worries the coronavirus epidemic could disrupt audits and delay financial reports. The FRC issued updated guidance for auditors today which it said may be “facing practical difficulties in carrying out audits as a result of [...]
UK litigation funders boost assets to £1.9bn March 16, 2020 UK litigation funders increased assets to £1.9bn in 2019, an increase of 46 per cent on the previous year. Analysis of the balance sheets of the UK’s top 15 litigation funders by law firm RPC found a jump in asset value from £1.3bn in 2017-18 to £1.9bn last year. Assets held by litigation funders have [...]