COVID-19 Briefing Note – Commercial Dispute Resolution Trends & Issues

COVID-19 Briefing Note by Henry Warwick QC, Rachel Tandy, George Mallet, Lia Moses and Reanne MacKenzie.

Our latest COVID-19 Briefing Note examines certain trends, issues and flashpoints in commercial dispute resolution that now appear likely to result from the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, government lockdowns and their economic impact.

The choice of topics is based upon the changing needs our clients are facing. These have included both the acute need for advice and representation in disputes since the initial lockdown, and widely shared views as to the future.

We examine:

1. • Immediate impact: frustration, force majeure, material adverse change
   • Supply chain disputes
   • Business interruption: the ongoing controversy
   • Business relationships: joint venture, partnership and agency disputes
   • Corporate insolvency
   • The growing importance of litigation funding