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.

 

Coronavirus
Insight
Coronavirus Resource Center: Managing business impact and legal risks
As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to escalate, ensuring wellbeing of employees is paramount, but it is not the only challenge. There is a vast sway of operational and legal issues that businesses must address, too.
Alert
COVID-19 – Guidance for International Employers
Insight
French M&A displays optimism
A number of big-ticket deals in high-growth sectors such as telecommunications and renewables signal a bright future for French dealmaking
Stock Market
Insight
Megadeals drive global M&A to 10-year high in Q1 2021
Global M&A value more than doubled YOY to the highest first quarter total on record
buildings
Insight
Global PE deal value jumps to highest quarterly total since 2007
In Q1 2021, private equity activity reached its highest quarterly value in more than a decade
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Alert
European Real Estate Finance: Market Update – Q1 2021
metal wall
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Clearing the debt maturity wall
COVID-19 disruption has had little impact on borrowers' ability to refinance debt and extend loan maturities
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US SPACs look beyond their backyard to Europe
Although most SPAC activity is concentrated in the US, the boom in listings spells opportunities for European firms
Alert
Help for Fast Growth Companies in the UK’s 2021 Budget
Alert
Home Office and Mobile Work: Status quo, Corona-ArbSchV and Outlook (Germany)
Aviation
Insight
Aviation finance in Russia and CIS countries
Opportunities in uncertain times  
tables outside a restaurant
Insight
Leisure industry readies for distress amid prolonged lockdowns
Despite encouraging signs that economies could reopen as COVID-19 vaccinations are rolled out, additional waves of infections and extended travel restrictions weigh heavily on the leisure and hospitality industry
Capital Markets
Alert
Short selling bans and market restrictions – Considerations for investors
This alert reviews the steps taken by the various market regulators across the EU in response to market volatility
Alert
COVID-19 Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) – An Overview of legislation enacted by Spanish Government during 2020
airport boarding area
Insight
Transportation M&A showed signs of recovery in Q4
Dealmaking is gradually making a comeback in the sector, both as a means to rebuild hard-hit companies and to meet growing consumer demand
aqueduct with rotating boat lift
Alert
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Financial Regulatory and Legislative Dashboard
financial stock display
Alert
Key COVID-19 FAQs for financial institutions: A Cross-border view
Our global team has prepared the following FAQs to provide financial institutions with a cross-border perspective in navigating the governmental/regulatory response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Riyadh_Hero_1600x600 Saudi Arabia
Insight
Megadeals drive Middle Eastern M&A in 2020
Dealmaking within the region has been driven by activity at the top-end of the market, as the region’s prize assets continue to attract dealmaker attention despite the downturn
metal wall
Insight
LBO issuance slides on slow buyout activity
Leveraged buyout high yield bond and leveraged loan issuance fell in Q3 2020 as a lack of buyout deals in a still cautious M&A market dampened appetite for financing
office building windows
Insight
Distressed-driven restructurings rise amid COVID-19 fallout
Lockdowns and market volatility have put companies across the board under financial pressure and forced many leveraged finance borrowers into restructurings
Alert
Stakebuilding: A multi-jurisdictional guide for investors
Infrastructure
Insight
Infrastructure M&A remains robust despite COVID uncertainty
The energy transition and a growing need for efficient digital infrastructure are two trends fueling infrastructure dealmaking in 2020
Alert
Managing civil disputes in France during the COVID-19 crisis (III)
mining
Insight
Miners dig deep to weather the storm
Mining companies entered 2020 in good financial shape and have continued to secure finance despite disruption from COVID-19
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Insight
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
abacus
Insight
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
Alert
What does the new French lockdown mean for employers?
tower
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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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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
Alert
Business Travels to France: New COVID-19 Considerations
Financial Institutions M&A: Sector trends - June 2019
Insight
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
stock market display
Insight
The recap rebound
Dividend recapitalization activity plunged in the immediate aftermath of COVID-19 but, as markets recovered, investor appetite for recap deals swelled
Refinery
Insight
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
Insight
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
Alert
The European Commission starts two new studies into the mobile payment sector
Alert
COVID-19: Disruption to Art Transactions
Alert
The new reality for UK employers - Part 2: The duty to self-isolate - what employers need to know
building
Insight
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
coal gasification to methanol plant
Insight
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
Financial stock display
Insight
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