COVID-19

Depending on the extent of financial distress, some companies are considering laying off some of their existing workforce. But the question remains, can financial distress be a ground for initiating layoffs in the wake of a pandemic?

Trends show that a number of businesses are facing challenges related to cash flows and investors are looking for assets at attractive valuations.

Keeping in mind the times that we are in, there might come a situation where the principles behind the protection of intellectual property rights would have to be balanced with the public welfare.

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs should adopt a liberal and pragmatic approach to allow companies to use their own products and services to provide COVID-19 related relief as part of their CSR activities under the Companies Act.

A major impact of the lockdown and Covid-19 has been, one that most shy away from admitting, the cash flow crunch.

In order to ease the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the Indian economy, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 27 March 2020 and 17 April 2020  introduced certain regulatory measures to deal with the challenges arising due to the lockdown (together, the Initial Covid Regulatory

On 1 May 2020, the Telangana High Court (Court) passed an order in M/s Pennar Industries Limited & Anr v.

Assessing the impact on a target company due to COVID-19, the lung disease caused by the new coronavirus, is one of the critical focus areas of any due diligence as part of a merger and acquisition (M&A) transaction.

Amidst the prevailing COVID-19 crisis, states are now contemplating taking diverse measures to offset the economic impact and boost investment opportunities.

With a view to ensure that businesses are not saddled with indirect tax payments and related compliances and to maintain smooth functioning of business activity amidst the COVID-19 outbreak, the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Commerce and Industry have announced a slew of relaxation me

The Hon’ble Delhi High Court, in its decision dated 28 April 2020 in Indrajit Power Private Limited v Union of India & Ors, has dismissed a writ petition seeking to refrain the invocation of a bank guarantee by the Union of India (Respondent No 1) inter alia due to the

On 1 May 2020, the Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India (MHA Secretary) issued an order extending the nation-wide lockdown period for another two weeks beginning 4 May 2020, albeit with revised restrictions and certain relax

Pursuant to the Supreme Court’s directions dated 6 April 2020, several High Courts have issued directions and guidelines regarding the conduct of hearings via videoconferencing (VC) (VC Hearings) for themselves as well their subordinate courts.

The Government of India (GOI) announced a nationwide lock down on account of Covid-19 pandemic with effect from 25 March 2020. This has severely disrupted regular business activities across all sectors of the economy in the country.

This update is in furtherance of our ERGO coverage on COVID-19 outbreak where attempt to bring forth latest regulatory developments, occasioned by the upsurge in the number of positive cases in the country.

On 17 April 2020, Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, Government of India (MNRE) issued an office memorandum (Memorandum II) requiring all renewable energy implementing agencies to treat lockdown due to COVID-19 as ‘force majeure’.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 17 April 2020 introduced additional regulatory measures to alleviate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the Indian economy with a focus primarily on the lending institutions.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced governments to take exceptional measures such as implementing mandatory lockdowns and restricting travel. This unprecedented situation is raising significant tax issues, especially where there are cross-border elements in the equation.

As the situation in view of COVID-19 is evolving, the Government of India has been announcing quite a few relaxations with respect to various income tax related provisions and compliances.

To curb the outbreak of COVID-19 in India, the Government of India had imposed a lockdown on 24 March 2020 for a period of 21 days till 14 April 2020. The said lockdown has now been further extended till 3 May 2020 by the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

A single bench of the Bombay High Court has refused ad-interim reliefs to the Petitioners who were seeking to restrain the Respondent bank from negotiating / encashing the letters of credit, on the ground that the contracts with the Respondent

The past week saw a flurry of activity in connection with the adoption and implementation of the virtual system of functioning by the Indian judicial machinery.

As India enters the last week of the 21-day nation-wide lockdown, there is still uncertainty of what lies ahead. It is possible that the lockdown may only be gradually eased.

As the nation has entered the final week of the 21 day nation-wide lockdown announced by the Indian Prime Minister with effect from 25 March 2020 pursuant to the COVID – 19 outbreak, we take a stock of key regulatory measures taken on Central as well as State levels by authorities which hav

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the justice delivery system like never before. The compulsions associated with ‘social distancing’ coupled with lockdown directives have led courts and tribunals to shut their premises to the public.

The onset of Covid-19 has set in motion a series of events which is bound to test India’s debtor-creditor relationship.

On 7 April 2020 Singapore passed the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act, 2020 (Act) to provide temporary relief to parties who are unable to perform their contractual obligations due to the COVID-19 pandemic (COVID-19), amongst other measures.

Latest Circulars published by MHA for COVID-19 updates

COVID-19 updates by Indian Council of Medical Research

The current Covid-19 pandemic and the imposition of various social distancing and other restrictions in India and elsewhere in the world is likely to cause significant disruption to supply chains and potentially make the performance of contracts challenging.

As the government introduces further measures to ensure continuity of business in the midst of the ongoing country wide lock-down pursuant to the COVID – 19 outbreak, we have set out below an overview of the key corporate and commercial regulatory updates for the period between 28 March 2020 and

The steady advance of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in India and across the world has seen a concomitant increase in the uncertainties for business on a daily basis.

Latest updates by MoHFW on COVID-19

Updates by World Health Organisation on COVID-19

Government of India is taking all necessary steps to ensure that we are prepared well to face the challenge and threat posed by the growing pandemic of COVID 19 – the Corona Virus

COVID-19 Updates by Ministry of External Affairs

Amidst the ongoing pandemic of Covid 19, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has rolled out the Companies Fresh Start Scheme 2020 (Company Scheme) and modifications to the LLP Settlement Scheme, 2020 (LLP Scheme).

On 24 March 2020, the Hon’ble Finance Minister announced several compliance related relaxations to ease the compliance burden on business community which was followed by a press release (Press Release).

To tackle the various logistical challenges and hardships faced by various corporate entities in ensuring continuity of business in the midst of the various restrictions imposed pursuant to the COVID – 19 outbreak, regulators have announced var

The magnitude of this pandemic warrants setting-up quarantine centres in India.

On 24 March 2020, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued an order imposing a 21-day lockdown of the entire country as a preventive measure to stop the spread of COVID -19.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) as part of its Statement of Development and Regulatory Policies released on 27 March 2020 announced a slew of measures to safeguard the Indian economy from the shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rabindra Jhunjhunwala, Sameer Sah, Aditya Cheriyan, Supratim Chakraborty & Manavendra Mishra

In the wake of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the Government of India and the local authorities have been continuously issuing measures to contain the pandemic such as prohibition on large gatherings, imposition of a ban on travel, closure o

To tackle the various logistical challenges and hardships faced by various corporate entities in ensuring continuity of business in the midst of the various restrictions imposed pursuant to the COVID – 19 outbreak, regulators have announced various relaxations for such entities in relation

On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 as a pandemic and a public health emergency of international concern.

Anshul Prakash

Further to our Ergo Updates in 5 March 2020, 12 March 2020, 13 March 2020, 16 March 2020 and 20 March 2020, we set out below latest regulatory updates in respect of COVID-19 outbreak.

As COVID-19 continues to induce turbulence in our lives, infrastructure and economies, India continues to show its resilience, strength and unity. However, despite best efforts, our daily lives, working patterns, regulatory and legal structures are constantly facing renewed challenges.

The Hon’ble Finance Minister has announced a host of relaxations in the compliance timelines for small taxpayers and various other relief measures. The major announcements from the standpoint of Indirect Taxes included:

With the increase in COVID 19 cases in India, the Indian Government announced a complete nationwide lockdown for 21 days starting from 00:00 hours of 25 March 2020.

COVID-19 has posed unprecedented challenges and in many cases business continuity plans are being put to test for the first time. The scenario is deteriorating in India with more than 560 positive cases being officially reported.

Earlier today, i.e., 23 March 2020, the Supreme Court of India (SC), in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 3/2020, took suo motu cognisance of the difficulties faced by litigants due to the rapidly escalating corona virus outbreak (COVID-19).

Our earlier Ergo COVID 19 - Conducting Board Meetings Virtually, provided an overview on how Indian companies can conduct board meetings through Audio Visual Means (AV Means) during this time, to ensure statutory compliance.

Amidst the outbreak of COVID 19, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) had previously extended the compliance timelines prescribed under Regulations 7(3) ( Submission of compliance certificate signed by sha

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) on 23 March 2020 has issued a clarification that any expenditure towards various activities related to COVID-19 shall be considered an eligible corporate social responsibility (CSR) expenditure (MCA Circular).

The World Health Organisation has declared COVID-19 to be a pandemic. All spheres of life have been affected alike and the judicial system is no exception to this. There are various challenges that are being faced by Courts, lawyers and litigants alike which are unprecedented in nature.

With the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the world is facing unprecedented challenges.

COVID-19 Preparedness

The Department of Telecom (DoT) has issued a notification dated 13 March 2020 (Notification) which temporarily liberalises conditions stipulated under the ‘Terms and Conditions – Other Service Provider (OSP) Category’ (OSP Guidelines) with respect to ‘Work From Home’ (WFH)

The global outbreak of COVID-19 has led everyone, from promoters to investment bankers to transactional lawyers to fund managers, to change the way in which business is done.

With COVID-19 being declared a pandemic, various companies have found themselves facing challenges in complying with the Companies Act compliances due to disruptions in their operations.

In this webinar, organized by Khaitan & Co in collaboration with the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce (IGCC), Germany Trade and Invest (GTAI), and the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany

With the continuing spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19 or “coronavirus), various businesses across the globe are facing an increasing number of challenges and issues that need to be addressed and mitigated. Retail sector is no exception to this.

This webinar was jointly organized by Khaitan & Co and the Indo French Chambers of Commerce and Industry (IFCCI). It addressed pertinent issues related to employers' responsibilities, employees obligations, and business challenges.

Further to our Ergo Updates in5 March 2020, 12 March 2020, 13 March 2020 and 16 March 2020, we set out below latest regulatory updates in respect of COVID-19 outbreak.

The rapid and unprecedented spread of the novel coronavirus (Coronavirus) which started in December last year and soon became every economy’s waking nightmare has dealt a severe blow to businesses worldwide and posed a serious challenge to asse

On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organisation declared the Covid-19 outbreak as a pandemic, thereby calling for more urgent and aggressive action to stifle its spreading.

The rapid and unprecedented spread of the novel coronavirus (Coronavirus) which started in December last year and soon became every economy’s waking nightmare has dealt a severe blow to businesses worldwide and posed a serious challenge to asse

Travel restrictions and quarantine: The Government of India has categorized passengers into 3 categories for the purpose of quarantine.

In recent times, the presence of COVID-19 in the business ecosystem is testing contingency plans and business continuity across organizations.  Therefore, like all business functions, teams within organisations pursuing acquisitions and divestm

With each passing hour, the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in India is increasing rapidly. As of 13 March 2020 (5 pm), the number reached 81. The country has also reported one casualty in Karnataka.

The World Health Organisation has declared COVID-19 (better known as corona virus) a pandemic, with the number of cases outside China increasing 13-fold.

The macabre of the novel coronavirus (also commonly known as “COVID-19”) has engulfed within its fold as many as 112 countries and territories around the world and international conveyance (the Diamond Princess cruise ship har

In India, the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 coronavirus has reached 73 (as of 12 March 2020: 4 PM), and several other cases are being examined for confirmation.

A global pandemic now, COVID-19 was not something the world seemed to have been ready for when it was first discovered in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.