30 March 2020
COVID-19 and the FCA - Scams, short selling and more
The COVID-19 pandemic has already had a significant impact on all aspects of the financial services industry, including on firms, customers, regulators, capital markets and their participants. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) continues to engage closely with the sector as it seeks to respond effectively to the current crisis. This has included releasing a number of statements relating to various matters including scams, short selling, operational and financial resilience, and financial reporting.
27 March 2020
Policing Domestic Abuse in the age of Austerity and “Lockdown”
Sadly, the uncertain period of "lockdown" is likely to place a considerable strain on many relationships. The inability of family members to leave the house, the fear of unemployment and consequent financial pressures which arise from “lockdown”, have the potential to cause difficult times for many relationships. Prior to the Covid-19 epidemic, the police and the CPS pursued a proactive approach towards domestic abuse, which often resulted in the partner who was the recipient of the complaint being arrested and/or prosecuted.
26 March 2020
COVID-19 - The legal basis for lockdown
Last week saw the first steps towards a national lockdown when on the night of Friday 20 March the Prime Minister “told” certain businesses to close. What powers does the government have to do this? The answer is to be found here in the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984, which contains broad but not unlimited powers to make regulations to protect health.
26 March 2020
Welcome guidance on the approach to valuations from RICS during Coronavirus pandemic
According to RICS, the effects of the COVID-19 Virus will affect the work carried out by RICS members in a variety of ways with varying impacts. For example, the Government’s latest restrictions on the freedom of individuals to move around, may in turn lead to an unwillingness of occupants to allow surveyors access to properties in order to conduct a valuation.
26 March 2020
Coronavirus Act: how the emergency legislation will impact healthcare professionals
As the number of confirmed coronavirus cases surged in the UK this week, the government rushed emergency legislation through both Houses, and the Coronavirus Act 2020 (‘the Act’) subsequently received Royal Assent on 25 March 2020.
