30 March 2020
Navigating relationships through the coronavirus crisis
We have now had our first week of living under the government’s rules on staying at home and away from others. Weather-wise it has been a glorious start to Spring with beautiful clear blue skies but otherwise it has been the start of an unprecedented new and uncertain way of life for those living in the UK and elsewhere during the COVID-19 crisis. Marriages and relationships can be difficult at the best of times but we are now in completely unchartered territory. In this blog, Shirlee Kay, a therapist and couples’ counsellor, and Rachel Freeman reflects on how these challenging times can affect relationships and provide some suggestions as to how couples can best navigate relationships through this pandemic.
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.
