Solicitors are continuing to work successfully―from home―at many firms, such as Leicester family law firm Josiah Hincks Solicitors, commercial firm Clarkslegal and Essex firm Palmers Solicitors. Criminal law solicitors are having to continue to attend magistrates’ courts for urgent work although not police custody suites after a national protocol on interviewing during the COVID-19 outbreak was agreed. Crown courts are continuing to work but dealing with matters remotely where possible. Criminal lawyers and those involved in the functioning of the justice system are deemed key workers.
Magic Circle firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, in a briefing note, identified several difficulties contributing to the slowdown in M&A work during the crisis, such as delays to the auction process, valuations and approvals. Finance work in general has been affected.
Freshfields, Magic Circle firm Allen & Overy and Norton Rose
Fulbright are among firms reported to have suspended partner distributions and
to be offering staff flexible working arrangements and reduced hours―Norton
Rose is reported to have asked staff to voluntarily go down to a four-day week,
while Pinsent Masons, Slater & Gordon and Withers have all furloughed some
employees.
