Coronavirus Resource Hub

The coronavirus pandemic is impacting the UK in ways never seen before. From families to businesses, we are all rapidly adapting to the challenges and changes of our current situation, to minimise the impact of the virus.

Many of us will be facing struggles during this challenging time. As a result, we’ve spoken to many clients who are experiencing legal difficulties which require our advice and support.

Our teams are here to help during this time.  Please find below our collection of advice, practical tips and useful information put together for you during these unprecedented events.

Need to speak to one of our legal experts?

Our staff have full access to phone, email or video conferencing so please get in touch with us today to discuss your needs.

For personal:

Tax, Wills & Probate:

• FAQ on making a will
  Have you always thought about making a will but not sure where to start, or have some questions about what's involved? We've got the basics covered in this Wills FAQ.
• Making a Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA)
  Lasting Powers of Attorney are important to have in place, looking after both your property and affairs as well as your health and welfare. Contact us today if you have any questions about the process.
• The coronavirus lockdown is the time to transfer property and save tax
  Our Tax, Wills and Probate expert Jeremy Tucker crunches the numbers and shares his thoughts on what could be an opportunity for many families during the coronavirus pandemic.

Family:

• What does the coronavirus lockdown mean for your family?
  An extensive guide for families during the COVID-19 lockdown including details on child arrangements, domestic abuse and court proceedings.
• Family law during lockdown: your questions answered
  Senior Associate Solicitor and Mediator Pauline Ellis answers some of the commonly asked questions from many of her clients since the start of lockdown.
• Divorce and finances during the COVID-19 pandemic: your questions answered
  Should you change the course of your divorce proceedings and financial settlement during the coronavirus pandemic? 
• Child contact for separated families during coronvirus lockdown restrictions
  Senior Associate Solicitor Jonathan Whettingsteel responds to the announcements on child contact for separated families during lockdown on 23rd March 2020
• Domestic abuse and lockdown restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic
  Senior Associate Solicitor and Mediation Pauline Ellis comments on the impact of lockdown on domestic abuse victims.
• Mediation remains available despite coronavirus lockdown
  How does family mediation via video conferencing work during the coronavirus lockdown? Pauline Ellis outlines the details and answers your questions.
• Government launches domestic violence campaign admist COVID-19
  Following the of the #YouAreNotAlone campaign, we take a look at how the current pandemic is affecting domestic abuse victims and what resources are available to help.
• Confessions of a family solicitor during the COVID-19 lockdown
  For Mental Health Awareness Week, Pauline Ellis shares her personal experiences of work during lockdown as well as her thoughts on how the restrictions can take their toll on the mental health of families dealing with a breakdown of a relationship.
• An update on the family courts: how does it affect your situation?
  What can we envisage the court system developing and adapting as we ease ourselves out of lockdown? Karen Andrews takes a look following the President of the Family Division's latest statement (9th June 2020)

Residential Property:

• Our thoughts on the coronavirus lockdown's impact on the housing market
  Head of Residential Property Paul Sams shares some optimism about the future of the housing market post-coronavirus lockdown.
• Equity release gets the green light for remote advice
  Paul Sams responds to the updated legal advice on equity release by the Equity Relase Council (ERC) on 6th April 2020 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
• 6 reasons why the property market will bounce back stronger
  While there are many thoughts on how the housing market will survive after the coronavirus lockdown, Daniel Szasz shares his optimistic view on its future.
• Selling your house after the coronavirus lockdown
  Solicitor Nicky Marsh provides her top tips on how to prepare your house during lockdown so you're ready to sell once restrictions are lifted.
• Leaseholders: Get your 'house' in order amid COVID-19 lockdown
  Senior Associate Solicitor and leasehold enfranchisement expert Louise Uphill shares her tips for leaseholders looking to get their current lease in a good and marketable condition during lockdown.
• Electronic Signatures for conveyancing during coronavirus
  Solicitor Rebecca East answers the most common questions surrounding using electronic signatures in documents and deeds
• Deciphering your residential lease
  If you're having problems understanding or extracting information from your lease, Louise Uphill has some useful tips for you.

Employment:

• FAQ - Furloughing
  Head of Employment Mark Broad provides an extensive FAQ on furloughing, its process and what it means for both employers and employees during the coronavirus pandemic.

For businesses:

Commercial Property:

• Coronavirus FAQ for commercial landlords and tenants
  What does the impact of coronavirus mean for commercial landlords and tenants? Our team have compiled this comprehensive FAQ to help your business.
• Planning rights for restaurants, cafés and drinking establishments offering takeaway services during coronavirus pandemic
  Has your hospitality or food and drink establishment changed to serve takeaway during the lockdown? Here's everything you need to know from a planning and commercial property perspective. 
• Should you agree a rent concession during the coronavirus pandemic?
  Solicitor Rachel McNulty shares everything you need to consider if your commercial tenant is asking for a form of rent concession.
• Options for commercial landlords on non-payment of rent during the coronavirus pandemic
  What can commercial landlords do if their faced with a tenant who is unable to meet their rental obligations? Associate Solicitor Claire Bunton shares her advice.
• Commercial landlords and tenants: what do we do once the COVID-19 lockdown ends?
  Head of Commercial Propety Denise Bull answers some questions commercial landlords and tenants may have when thinking ahead of after the lockdown ends.
• Virtual singing for property transactions duing the coronavirus pandemic
  Solicitor Rebecca Cardy provides a useful and simple step-by-step guide on the 'mercury signing approach' now in use during the coronavirus lockdown.
• A failure to plan is planning to fail
  What can developers do if delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic means they are encroaching on their 3 year deadline to begin development work?

Landlord & Tenant:

• Our advice on the latest coronavirus updates for landlords and tenants (residential lettings)
  Head of Landlord and Tenant, Rob Bolwell, shares his latest advice for landlords and tenants during the coronavirus pandemic - last updated 26th March 2020.
• Your coronavirus landlord & tenant questions answered (residential lettings)
  A comprehensive FAQ for residential landlords and managing agents during the coronavirus pandemic.
• Possession claims during the coronavirus pandemic explained
  We share our thoughts and advice as the government announced the stopping of any new possession claims from being issued at court during the coronavirus pandemic.
• Student tenants during the coronavirus lockdown
  Are government measures to protect tenants during the lockdown doing enough to support the student population? Gina Peters offers her advice.

Employment:

• FAQ - Furloughing
  Head of Employment Mark Broad provides an extensive FAQ on furloughing, its process and what it means for both employers and employees during the coronavirus pandemic.​

Commercial Litigation:

• Litigation advice for directors and business owners during coronavirus
  From wrongful trading to winding up petitions, from credit control to contractors, Head of Commercial Litigation Andrew Witt shares his advice for businesses during the coronavirus lockdown.

• Business Interruption Insurance and COVID-19: Your questions answered
  Many businesses will be wondering where they and their Business Interruption Insurance policy stand during the coronavirus pandemic. Chris Hall answers the most commonly asked questions.

• Insolvency and other commercial dispute matters
  Have any questions or issues surrounding insolvency and commercial disputes during the coronavirus pandemic? We're here to help.

We remain ‘business as usual’ and continue to work hard to provide support to both our new and existing clients. Click here for our full statement on how we’ve responded to the coronavirus.

Please visit www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response for the latest Government advice regarding COVID-19.

We wish you all the very best of health.