Coronavirus

The recent outbreak of the coronavirus COVID-19 has quickly evolved from a local issue to a global crisis. In addition to the tragic human loss, the disease is having and will continue to have a profound economic impact. On this page we will be providing regular legal updates on issues affecting our clients’ businesses around the world. Below is a list of our published updates.

 

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ISS Announces 2021 Benchmark Policy Updates
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NAV finance gains traction as private equity seeks liquidity
The use of net asset value finance by private equity firms has spiked under COVID-19 as managers explore new sources of liquidity in a weak M&A market
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Refinancing remains resilient
Refinancing activity has proven an attractive option amid COVID-19 disruption, with borrowers in good standing seeking to extend maturities and take advantage of low interest rates
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What does the new French lockdown mean for employers?
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Renewables M&A offers hope for hard-hit energy sector
Deal activity within the renewables sector has been a bright spot for energy M&A in 2020
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JFTC Public Comment Opportunity: Amendments to Rules for eliminating seals to promote online procedures
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A tale of two retail loan markets
COVID-19 split the retail financing market—players of scale with online capabilities thrived, while retailers reliant on brick-and-mortar stores for the bulk of their earnings came under increasing financial pressure
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Business Travels to France: New COVID-19 Considerations
Financial Institutions M&A: Sector trends - June 2019
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Retail M&A focuses on the essentials in 2020
Global retail M&A value increased year on year, as appetite for supermarket and convenience store assets resulted in big-ticket deals
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The recap rebound
Dividend recapitalization activity plunged in the immediate aftermath of COVID-19 but, as markets recovered, investor appetite for recap deals swelled
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No let up for oil and gas borrowers
The oil and gas sector has been one of the hardest hit by COVID-19 lockdowns and there has been little relief as restructurings rise across the industry
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Resurging leveraged loan issuance points to a stronger year
After taking a deep dive in Q2, US leveraged loan issuance picked up in Q3, while European markets gained year on year
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The European Commission starts two new studies into the mobile payment sector
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COVID-19: Disruption to Art Transactions
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The new reality for UK employers - Part 2: The duty to self-isolate - what employers need to know
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US P2P activity falls, but activity in Europe perseveres
Despite a drop in activity, public-to-private (P2P) transactions in Europe have continued through 2020, unlike in the US market, where they have fallen sharply
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Chemicals and materials deals down from 2019 highs but recovery is on the way
While COVID shut the window on deals in H1 2020, Q3 saw a revival that augurs well for the rest of the year and beyond
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Global M&A stages rebound in Q3 2020
After deal activity stagnated in H1, the third quarter offers some hope for dealmakers, as deal volume and value surpass Q3 2019
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High yield bond activity continues to climb
Although US high yield bond issuance cooled somewhat in Q3 2020, it still hit record highs, while European activity remained on an upward trend
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FRC Review: AGMs – An Opportunity for Change
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Spotlight on Debt Finance: opportunities in the United Arab Emirates
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Infrastructure Investment Plan for Mexico
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Electronic Global Certificates | Rule 36/2020 of Banxico
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Employment Law Considerations for Returning to the Workplace in a COVID-19 World
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Replacing Pay with Equity to Preserve Cash in a COVID Economy
As pandemic effects linger, companies intent on avoiding layoffs are looking at compensating workers with equity in lieu of cash as part of their pay.
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Taking the EU Customs Union to the next level – an ambitious Action Plan
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Letter from America: navigating Australia’s new debtor-in-possession insolvency reforms
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Project Finance, human rights and climate change: Updated Equator Principles 4 in effect from October
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Authorization of special accounting standards for credit institutions by the CNBV. Part III
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US COVID-19 Real Estate Legal Developments: Federal, California, Florida, Illinois, New York
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CIGA: Super-scheme to the rescue?
The UK's new Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act introduces a restructuring plan procedure that enhances the flexibility of the English scheme of arrangement
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Software M&A shows resilience in challenging market
While not unscathed by the ongoing pandemic, software deals are proving to be resilient to the effects of lockdown
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Spanish dealmaking defies health and economic crisis
While Spain's recession is expected to be among the deepest on the continent, the nation has remained one of the most attractive deal destinations in Europe for PE and M&A
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The new reality for UK employers - Part 1: Planning for the end of furlough
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Lenders calm despite fallen angel risks
Although COVID-19 lockdowns have seen high-profile companies lose their investment grade status, lenders have continued to support these credits
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US DOL Provides Much Needed Guidance Regarding Paid Leave Under The Response Act
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"Cheque, please" – Is the cost of fraudulent furlough scheme applications starting to emerge?
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EU unveils action plan to secure access to critical raw materials
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Lenders' views on documentation diverge under lockdown
The decline in H1 2020 leveraged finance issuance has seen some lenders intensify their focus on pricing and borrower-friendly loan structures, but lender responses to the impact of COVID-19 have diverged across regions
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“Never waste a (COVID-19) crisis”: new proposals to streamline the Australian government's environmental approvals regime