Update from the London South East team

 Dear Member,
 
The London & South East Relationship Management team are keen to ensure that key updates and information of relevance are communicated to you, and your local law society, periodically. 
 
Please feel free to share the information below more widely with your committees and your membership.
 
Webinar: Use of virtual execution and e-signatures during the COVID-19 pandemic
 
In this webinar Edward Craft, Chair of our Company Law Committee, and Elizabeth Wall, Head of Know-How for the Global Corporate Practice for A&O, cover:

• How to facilitate legal transactions in an increasingly digital world.
• Options for executing documents by virtual means post the Mercury decision.
• How to execute commercial contracts with confidence using electronic signatures.
• Legislative, regulatory and cultural requirements to be aware of when completing a transaction digitally.

You can listen to a recording here.
 
Free Webinar: Virtual firms, 30 July 10:00-11:00
 
Many law firm leaders are considering what the next step is for their business models. A significant number are considering how to become a fully virtual or dispersed firm. This webinar will look at three options:

1. Keeping your firm's structure but making remote working permanent
2. Set up a virtual/dispersed firm
3. Join an existing virtual firm

 Register here
 
Redundancy support
 
We are aware that solicitors may be facing uncertainty in their roles. We have produced information on this process and a support package.
 
View more information
View the support package 
 
Event: Join Simon Davis at the APPG on Legal and Constitutional Affairs' event, Tuesday 21 July
 
Should we allow coronavirus to change the way we do justice in the UK? Simon Davis, president of the Law Society, and Amanda Pinto, chair of the Bar Council, will be discussing coronavirus and the justice system with the APPG on Legal and Constitutional Affairs on Tuesday 21 July, 11:00-12:30.
 
Please email hugo.forshaw@lawsociety.org.uk to book your place.
 
Blueprint for law firms and solicitors facing local lockdowns
 
This guidance is intended to help solicitors and law firms navigate local or area-specific lockdowns. We've signposted to resources that can help with these uncertain times. This covers:

• Your business continuity plan
• Cybersecurity
• Workforce planning and looking after your staff
• Enable your practice areas to keep business going
• Keep in touch with local decision makers
• Get ready to go back to the office

Read more here
Find out more about our Return, Restart and Recovery campaign
 
We have also updated our return to the office toolkit and practical framework to include a summary of the latest government guidance, including changes to the covid risk assessment (including a plan in case of an outbreak, law firm's duties on track and trace, and supporting staff members to self-isolate).
 
Podcast: President Simon Davis on Covid-19 and support for solicitors
 
President Simon Davis speaks with Einat Sohar, relationship manager for City and International Law Firms at the Law Society, about the Coronavirus pandemic and what the Law Society is doing to support solicitors.

Listen to the podcast
 
FREE Virtual event: 'Not the Oxford Conference', Friday 11 September 2020, 14:00-16:00 (pre-registration required)
 
This year there will be no Joint Planning Law Conference at Oxford this year, due to the continuing coronavirus pandemic. This special online event is ideal for planning professionals at all career stages.
 
The event will feature some of the speakers and topics that had planned to appear and address at the conference in Oxford, condensed into a free, 2 hour, digital package. The event is free, but pre-registration is required. Find out more and book your place here.
 
Digital Programme

PART I

• The Role of Planning in Rebalancing the UK Economy - The Right Honourable The Lord Kerslake FAcSS, Chair of the UK2070 Commission
  
  
• Meeting the Net Zero Challenge and Preparing for Climate Change - Baroness Brown of Cambridge DBE FREng FRS (Julia King) Vice Chair of the Committee on Climate Change, Chair Adaptation Committee of the Committee on Climate Change

Questions chaired by Hashi Mohamed, No5 Chambers and Author of ‘People Like Us: What it Takes to Make It in Modern Britain'.
 
PART II

•  Legal Update - Jonathan Easton LLB (Hons) LLM, Kings Chambers

Questions chaired by Mary Cook, Town Legal LLP.
 
Consultation summary
 
Revisions to the Attorney General's Guidance on disclosure and the CPIA Code of Practice - closing date extended to 22 July 2020
Link to consultation
Policy Lead: Janet.Arkinstall@lawsociety.org.uk  
 
The Attorney General's Office is consulting on changes to the guidelines and Code of Practice for disclosure.
 
Tax Treatment of Asset Holding Companies in Alternative Funding Structures- closing date 19 August 2020
Link to consultation
Policy Lead: James.Reynolds@lawsociety.org.uk
 
This consultation seeks views on whether changes to the tax treatment of companies used by funds to hold assets could make the UK a more attractive location for these companies. It also considers the VAT treatment of fund management fees and other aspects of the UK’s funds regime.
 
SRA Consultation: SRA Business Plan and Budget 2020-2021 - closing date 26 August 2020
Link to consultation
Policy Lead: Marzena.Lipman@lawsociety.org.uk
 
This consultation takes place, in part, alongside the Law Society Group consultation on the level of the practising certificate fees for 2020/21, which runs until 10 July 2020. The SRA has therefore encouraged responses on the budget component of the business plan prior to 10 July.

As part of this consultation, the SRA is also be asking for views its proposed principles for managing its Compensation Fund, which is a key part of consumer protection and supports public confidence in solicitor firms and the reputation of the profession. Every year the SRA Board decides on the level of the profession's contributions to the fund, based on information about trends, past and prospective claims and interventions.
 
Notification of uncertain tax treatment by large businesses - closing date 27 August 2020
Link to Consultation
Policy Lead: James.Reynolds@lawsociety.org.uk
 
From April 2021 large businesses will be required to notify HMRC when they take a tax position which HMRC is likely to challenge. This policy will draw on international accounting standards which many large businesses already follow. This consultation seeks views on the method and detail of the notification and particular areas of uncertain tax treatment.
 
Call for evidence: raising standards in the market for tax abuse - closing date 28 August 2020
Link to consultation
Policy Lead: James.Reynolds@lawsociety.org.uk
 
The government has published a call for evidence on raising standards in the market for tax advice. HMRC is seeking evidence about providers of tax advice, current standards upheld by tax advisers, and the effectiveness of the government’s efforts to support those standards, in order to give taxpayers more assurance that the advice they are receiving is reliable.
 
Consultation on Corporate Tax Rules that apply to Hybrid Mismatch Arrangements- closing date 29 August 2020
Link to consultation
Policy Lead: James.Reynolds@lawsociety.org.uk
 
The government is consulting on arrangements that exploit the differences in tax treatments between the two jurisdictions. This consultation seeks to ensure that the hybrid mismatch rules work proportionately and as intended.
 
If you have any questions in relation to any of the above, please do not hesitate to contact us at London&SouthEastTeam@lawsociety.org.uk          
 
Best wishes,
 
Bhavni, Beth and Stuart.