Insights & News

HMRC puts its stamp on social distancing

16 April 2020

With vast numbers of people now working remotely due to COVID-19 restrictions, HMRC have put in place an electronic process for the payment of stamp duty and stamping of share transfer documents.

Restrictive covenants: key reminders recently highlighted by the Court of Appeal

06 April 2020

In the recent case of Guest Services Worldwide Limited v David Shelmerdine the Court of Appeal found that a non-compete clause, restricting Mr Shelmerdine for a period of 12 months after he ceased to hold shares, was binding. The clause prohibited Mr Shelmerdine, a shareholder who was also a consultant of Guest Services Worldwide Limited (GSW), from being interested in competing businesses.

How will M&A buyers respond to Covid-19?

03 April 2020

Expansion of HMRC’s “Time to Pay” Arrangements during the Covid-19 Outbreak

27 March 2020

Due to the immediate and stark effect that the Covid-19 outbreak is having on a lot of businesses, the Government has reminded everyone that it often reaches arrangements with businesses in financial distress for deferred payment of their tax liabilities. While this facility is not new, the Government expects the demands on the service to increase dramatically and is therefore scaling up its capacity to deal with new enquiries.

Financial support for larger firms: The COVID-19 Corporate Financing Facility

26 March 2020

The COVID-19 Corporate Financing Facility (CCFF) is a quick and cost-effective way to raise working capital for those large businesses which need it.

Lewis Silkin has advised new client Artelia Group on its acquisition of quantity surveying practice Austin Newport Group

26 March 2020

Lewis Silkin has advised new client Artelia Group, an international, multidisciplinary consultancy, engineering and project management group, on its acquisition of Austin Newport Group, specialised in chartered quantity surveying, project management contracting and recovery of damaged historic buildings.

Social distancing and the use of electronic signatures

25 March 2020

With vast numbers of people now working from home due to COVID-19 restrictions, finding more convenient methods of making binding transactions which are recorded in writing has become a priority.

Types of directors: myths and common pitfalls

25 March 2020

Below we answer some of the most common questions and address frequent pitfalls in the often-confusing realm of company directors.

Effect of Coronavirus on financial reporting

18 March 2020

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has published fresh guidance on issues arising from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Brexit – the prospective changes in company law for private and overseas companies

05 February 2020

This article is to update you on, and explain the expected timing as to, the changes in company law for private and overseas companies to be brought about by the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. In practice, only companies with a connection to the EEA will be impacted and the action points for them will be fairly minimal.

Does your company use email for sending documents or information to shareholders?

22 January 2020

If so, do you have the necessary consents in place?

Champagne at Tiffany’s!

04 December 2019

Apologies for the terrible pun, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” didn’t sound appropriate for the soon-to-be owner. It has been announced last week that LVMH has agreed a deal to acquire Tiffany & Co. at a valuation of $16.6bn. And just before the Christmas rush of “acquisitions” of perfectly wrapped turquoise boxes!

Dotted lines are disappearing but the Law Commission has joined the dots on electronic signatures

08 November 2019

Brexit – the post Halloween picture as to the minor changes in company law for private and overseas companies

01 November 2019

Now that we didn’t leave the EU on 31 October 2019, this article is to update you on, and explain the timing as to, the few changes in company law for private and overseas companies, to be brought about by the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. In practice, only companies with a connection to the EEA will be impacted and the action points for them will be fairly minimal.

Nottingham Forest FC loses High Court claims following club’s sale but plans appeal

06 August 2019

The High Court has dismissed claims arising out of the sale of Nottingham Forest Football Club (“the club”) for breaches of indemnities in the share purchase agreement (“the SPA”) and for the alleged misrepresentation of the club’s liabilities.

Entrepreneurs’ relief: the brave new world

13 March 2019

This is an update on the changes to the qualifying criteria for entrepreneurs’ relief introduced in the October 2018 Budget, amended in December and now embodied in statute.

Further clarity on relevance of TUPE following a share sale

31 January 2018

How relevant is TUPE in the context of a share sale? A recent decision of the Employment Appeal Tribunal (“EAT”) provides a reminder that TUPE can easily come into play when a buyer is considering what to do with its newly acquired subsidiary. In this case, the buyer’s actions led to an unexpected TUPE transfer and a £3.5 million bill.

Warranty and Indemnity Insurance – the what, why and how of it?

13 June 2017

Whilst the use of W&I Insurance in M&A transactions has been available for some time, its use has increased dramatically in the past few years, particularly in the technology, real estate and manufacturing sectors.