Firms receive new furlough guidance

The Law Society of England and Wales has published new guidance for firms considering use of the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. 

The scheme is a financial package introduced to help UK employers, regardless of size or sector, pay the wages of workers who would otherwise have been made redundant.

The Law Society’s guidance for law firms provides information on eligibility, process for claims, and contractual issues for businesses seeking to ‘furlough’ staff in response to the Covid-19 crisis. 

“The shock to the legal services sector has been sudden and severe,” said Law Society president Simon Davis. “There are widespread concerns over liquidity as firms face a dramatic plunge in income with work falling away.

“The scheme will provide a lifeline for many of those firms. Our advice will help them to understand and utilise the support available. It reflects our continual work with government and others to provide the clarity and assurances that the sector needs.”
Davis added: “It is of the utmost importance to society, the rule of law and our economy that the legal sector is able to survive this crisis – and we will be doing everything within our power to ensure it.”

‘Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: Guidance is available here.