Coronavirus (COVID-19)

In times of uncertainty, you want to make sure some things are certain.

Don’t let the current social constraints with Covid-19 stop you from putting the measures in place to protect yourself and your family.

Whether you are self-isolating or simply staying home to protect yourself, we can offer remote assistance to help you prepare your Wills, Power of Attorney and provide estate planning advice.

Whilst our firm is remote, we are working hard to ensure that all clients are able to draft their wills swiftly and the best advice is provided to give the protection you desire for you and your family.

The health and safety of our staff and clients is of utmost importance, therefore, we would like to reassure you that we are taking the strongest of measures to serve you as safely as possible.

All consultations will be held via telephone. You can also rest assured that your will is safe with us as they are all held within our digital vault which is secure and protected by the firm.

Feel free to speak directly with your contact in our team, if you have one. Alternatively, call us on 0161 969 3131 or email us.

At this time, protecting our vulnerable has never been more important.

The Court of Protection team continues to go above and beyond for clients, despite the unprecedented and unpredictable times we are facing. Our clients’ safety and wellbeing are paramount and we have to ensure the safety of our team to allow us to continue to keep them safe, keeping in contact and supporting those who directly care for them.

With that in mind, our team of expert solicitors and professional deputies are working remotely and continuing to maintain a proven track record for supporting the fundamental rights, health and wellbeing of vulnerable individuals.

Your solicitor can arrange telephone and video consultations to provide clear and straightforward advice on deputyship applications, disputes and the ongoing management of a person’s assets and estate. We treat every matter with sensitivity, empathy and care, and pride ourselves on taking a personal approach to client service at every turn.

Some of the extra care measures the team are undertaking during Covid-19 include:

• Contacting all home care agencies with our emergency contact details (available 24/7) to make sure if the clients need anything, they can reach us
• Continuous contact on the telephone with the vulnerable clients who are at home, offering reassurance and a friendly voice
• Regular contact with carers to check clients are well in themselves and to make sure we can refer over to other professional bodies for support, if necessary
• Helping to settle clients who call and are anxious about the situation surrounding Covid-19
• Making sure clients have access to additional funds so they can purchase enough essential items to ensure they do not make unnecessary trips out the house
• Arranging extra shopping deliveries for clients
• Enabling clients’ carers have access to emergency funds in the case that their care calls have to change at short notice
• Ensuring that we have access to alternative methods of funds to pay for emergencies
• Ensuring that clients who have carers, but no family, have access to our team in case of an emergency

Feel free to speak directly with your contact in our Court of Protection team, if you have one. Alternatively, call us on 0161 969 3131 or email us.

The impact of Covid-19 has been felt across all aspects of life.

During these unprecedented times, financial security has been a worry for many – particularly those that are liable for mortgage repayments.

To support the public and business owners, the Government announced that mortgage repayment holidays of up to three months can be introduced by banks to lessen the financial load. If your pay has been significantly reduced, your business has stopped trading, or you have been suffering from Covid-19, you may be able to apply for one of these payment breaks.

Interest is still accrued during the payment breaks. Find out more from the Financial Conduct Authority here.

If you would like to speak to a solicitor about this, contact Zara Banday or our residential property team on 0161 969 3131.

Though it seems like day-to-day life has slowed down a lot these past few weeks, our home lives continue and, if anything, are escalated.

When there are issues with family life, having to spend prolonged time in a confined space with others can put increased pressure and stress on already struggling relationships.

If children are involved, who are also at home, we understand that the difficulties become even more complex.

Our family team, though working remotely, are on hand whenever you need them via telephone, video call or email. We know that you may want to keep information private, and so we will do our best to find a contact solution that suits you.

Whether you are struggling with an abusive partner, child contact issues, or financial settlements among this economic uncertainty, the team are here to help you through these tough times as best they can.

If you are dealing with somebody in our family team currently, you can contact them directly. Alternatively, call us on 0161 969 3131 or find additional contact details for our Family team at the bottom of this page.

Our criminal lawyers, without working remotely, are on hand whenever you need advice or assistance. They can accommodate consultations by telephone, video call or email.

Despite the fact that most of our lives have slowed down, the police continue to investigate crimes.

We have seen an increase in individuals presumably taking advantage of our unusually quiet roads. This has resulted in individuals being charged with various road traffic offences including speeding, careless driving and drink and drug driving offences.

There is lots of misinformation out there about the new legislation. You should seek advice before accepting a fixed penalty notice or deciding whether to allow the case to reach court so that you can put a defence forward or explain any extenuating circumstances.

We have also seen instances of the police excessively using the powers recently granted to them which could lead to an unlawful stop and search, unlawful arrest or even an unlawful detention which may make the charge against you void.

A number of individuals have also been brought before the courts for related offences such as an assault on an emergency worker or assault as a result of using coughing as a threat.

If you require representation or guidance from a criminal defence solicitor, contact Rachel Fletcher, our Head of Crime & Regulatory.

Government advice is currently to stay at home, which is prompting buyers and sellers alike to withdraw from transactions. Guidance states, however, that there is no need to withdraw.

For our conveyancing team is it still ‘business as usual’ in so much that we can continue with the conveyancing process, and just delay completion until lockdown is relaxed.

Advice for vacant properties is more relaxed, meaning that you can continue and complete in the usual manner. You must ensure that you can secure a removal company before agreeing on completion dates, though.

Most mortgage lenders have agreed to extend their mortgage offers as they are aware of potential delays. This provides more time to complete the transaction, which is a bonus.

We always recommend that buyers carry out a survey. Surveyors are not currently attending properties, so bear this in mind and do not proceed without a survey. It is better to wait until you have a satisfactory survey before proceeding.

If contracts have already been exchanged with an imminent completion date, you should try to negotiate a delayed completion date with your buyer or seller.

Should you find out that your buyer or seller either has the Coronavirus or is displaying symptoms, you should not move, and must delay completion until it is safe to do so.

If you have any further queries about your conveyancing or house move, please contact Zara Banday, Head of Residential Property.

We are here to support you and your business through these unprecedented times.

Our employment team is on hand with advice regarding the latest Government measures. These include the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the potential to furlough employees. We are staying up to date with new announcements and initiatives as they come, so you can guarantee you will get the most relevant advice to your situation and requirements for financial support.

Contact Tracey Guest or Sarah Calderwood for employment advice relating to this pandemic.

There is continued uncertainty in the global economy, particularly where contracts of employment are involved. The Government has made many options available to the public in regards to financial support during Covid-19 – it can be difficult to understand what option is best for you.

Please seek advice from an expert before making any decisions relating to your employment because there may be help available to support you through these tough times.

Contact Sarah Calderwood who can help you to understand the options available to you.

Business owners of all sizes are feeling the effects of Covid-19, including falling demand, problems with supply, and potentially banking or finance issues. As supply chains are disrupted and events, especially those backed by huge sponsorship deals, are cancelled, there are many ways in which contracts and deals will be affected and the terms and conditions of your contracts will be key to determining what your rights and obligations are.

Contact our corporate and commercial litigation teams for advice. Speak with Jim Tully or Richard Riley for further guidance.

The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) was launched on Monday 23^rd March to support SMEs in accessing bank lending and overdrafts.

It is anticipated that the usual rules to avoid wrongful trading when taking on additional debt will apply in relation to directors’ duties and directors will need to satisfy themselves that doing so is in the best interests of the company or its creditors.

The latest announcement from the Government proposed a change to insolvency legislation.

The duty to avoid wrongful trading means that when there is no reasonable prospect of avoiding insolvency, directors must take every step to minimise losses for creditors. The trigger point for this duty arising can be difficult to identify, therefore it would be advisable for directors to seek legal advice as directors can be held personally liable if they do breach their duty in this regard.

Please speak with Nicky Collins or Rhian Owen who will be happy to assist with all enquiries relating to the CBILS.

The impact of COVID-19 is being felt by virtually every business, irrespective of sector or industry.

In light of the lockdown measures imposed on 24^th March, unless your business falls within one of the exceptions, the ability to operate your business from your commercial premises has ceased and there is continued uncertainty as to how long these measures will be enforced.

Where does this leave your business and how can you survive this economic uncertainty?

Whether you are developer, landlord, tenant, seller, purchaser or lender, here at Slater Heelis, our Commercial Property team can assist you by investigating your matter and exploring the legal and practical options available in order to help the survival of your business.

Contact Hannah Al-Shaghana or Will Henson for guidance.

COVID-19 is impacting businesses and individuals who operate across the construction and engineering supply chain. Our specialist construction and engineering lawyer Matthew Grellier can advise you on your rights and obligations, help to manage risk and resolve disputes.

Amongst other things, Matthew can advise on the following issues which might arise in the current climate:

• Shortages of labour as a result of preventative measures such as lockdown
• Shortages of materials arise due to delays in their importation or transportation
• Delay and disruption to works (extension of time and loss/expense claims)
• Payment disputes
• Suspension of works and contract termination

Contact Matthew for further guidance and expert advice.