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06 May 2020
Issue: 7885 / Categories: Legal News , Covid-19
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COVID-19: Force majeure & frustration

Business around the world are dusting off the force majeure clauses in contracts as they seek to deal with the disruption caused by COVID-19, say barristers from Fountain Court

Although it is rare for an ‘act of God’ event to occur, force majeure and frustration are currently hot topics. In-house counsel may be looking for remedies to delays in supply chains or failure to supply orders, devalued securities or failures to make loan payments. Or, they may wish to make sure sufficient protections are built into future contracts.  

To help lawyers with this unusual event, NLJ hosts a special article on force majeure and frustration. It sets out the core legal principles, considers their relevance to the COVID-19 pandemic and identifies issues for some of the major industries affected by the pandemic.

The authors are Patricia Robertson QC, Ben Lynch QC and Deborah Horowitz, all of Fountain Court Chambers. 

Issue: 7885 / Categories: Legal News , Covid-19
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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Private wealth and tax team welcomes cross-border specialist as consultant

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

International hospitality and leisure specialist joins corporate team as partner

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Firm appoints head of intellectual property to drive northern growth

NEWS
Talk of a reserved ‘Welsh seat’ on the Supreme Court is misplaced. In NLJ this week, Professor Graham Zellick KC explains that the Constitutional Reform Act treats ‘England and Wales’ as one jurisdiction, with no statutory Welsh slot
The government’s plan to curb jury trials has sparked ‘jury furore’. Writing in NLJ this week, David Locke, partner at Hill Dickinson, says the rationale is ‘grossly inadequate’
A year after the $1.5bn Bybit heist, crypto fraud is booming—but so is recovery. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Holloway, founder and CEO of M2 Recovery, warns that scams hit at least $14bn in 2025, fuelled by ‘pig butchering’ cons and AI deepfakes
After Woodcock confirmed no general duty to warn, debate turns to the criminal law. Writing in NLJ this week, Charles Davey of The Barrister Group urges revival of misprision or a modern equivalent
Family courts are tightening control of expert evidence. Writing in NLJ this week, Dr Chris Pamplin says there is ‘no automatic right’ to call experts; attendance must be ‘necessary in the interests of justice’ under FPR Pt 25
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