It would be fair to say that as we go into the summer break, if such a thing exists, firms are facing uncertainty in managing the return to the workplace and in the market conditions that will present when we all ‘return’ in the autumn. Many are predicting a tsunami of litigation with courts being overwhelmed just as they are dealing with the backlog of work developed in the lockdown. All this comes at a time of change in which London seeks to ensure it retains its foremost place at the world dispute resolution table. These are challenging and uncertain times.
Confusion
The government’s stance on the return to the workplace has been somewhat confusing, on the one hand encouragement but still against the guidance that continues to suggest we should all work from home if we can. 1 August brought in changes with greater encouragement to return to the office. But more recent news suggests further lockdown restrictions are round the corner.