EMEA

Coronavirus Resource Center

The recent outbreak of the coronavirus COVID-19 has quickly evolved from a local issue to a global crisis. In addition to the tragic human loss, the disease is having and will continue to have a profound economic impact. On this page we will be providing regular legal updates on issues affecting our clients’ businesses around the world. Below is a list of our published updates.

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EU’s 9th sanctions package extends investment ban to mining and quarrying sector; expands bans on exports and professional services; more asset freeze designations; derogations for divestments and agri-food
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EU’s 8th sanctions package imposes oil price cap; expands bans on imports, export, and professional services; Asset freeze designations and sanctions on non-government controlled areas of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson
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France issues new guidelines on the screening of foreign direct investments: an example to be followed in other EU Member States
Coronavirus
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Coronavirus Resource Center: Managing business impact and legal risks
As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to escalate, ensuring wellbeing of employees is paramount, but it is not the only challenge. There is a vast sway of operational and legal issues that businesses must address, too.
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COVID-19 – Guidance for International Employers
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French M&A displays optimism
A number of big-ticket deals in high-growth sectors such as telecommunications and renewables signal a bright future for French dealmaking
Stock Market
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Megadeals drive global M&A to 10-year high in Q1 2021
Global M&A value more than doubled YOY to the highest first quarter total on record
buildings
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Global PE deal value jumps to highest quarterly total since 2007
In Q1 2021, private equity activity reached its highest quarterly value in more than a decade
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European Real Estate Finance: Market Update – Q1 2021
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Clearing the debt maturity wall
COVID-19 disruption has had little impact on borrowers' ability to refinance debt and extend loan maturities
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US SPACs look beyond their backyard to Europe
Although most SPAC activity is concentrated in the US, the boom in listings spells opportunities for European firms
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Help for Fast Growth Companies in the UK’s 2021 Budget
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Home Office and Mobile Work: Status quo, Corona-ArbSchV and Outlook (Germany)
Aviation
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Aviation finance in Russia and CIS countries
Opportunities in uncertain times  
tables outside a restaurant
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Leisure industry readies for distress amid prolonged lockdowns
Despite encouraging signs that economies could reopen as COVID-19 vaccinations are rolled out, additional waves of infections and extended travel restrictions weigh heavily on the leisure and hospitality industry
Capital Markets
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Short selling bans and market restrictions – Considerations for investors
This alert reviews the steps taken by the various market regulators across the EU in response to market volatility
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COVID-19 Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) – An Overview of legislation enacted by Spanish Government during 2020
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Transportation M&A showed signs of recovery in Q4
Dealmaking is gradually making a comeback in the sector, both as a means to rebuild hard-hit companies and to meet growing consumer demand
aqueduct with rotating boat lift
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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Financial Regulatory and Legislative Dashboard
financial stock display
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Key COVID-19 FAQs for financial institutions: A Cross-border view
Our global team has prepared the following FAQs to provide financial institutions with a cross-border perspective in navigating the governmental/regulatory response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Riyadh_Hero_1600x600 Saudi Arabia
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Megadeals drive Middle Eastern M&A in 2020
Dealmaking within the region has been driven by activity at the top-end of the market, as the region’s prize assets continue to attract dealmaker attention despite the downturn
metal wall
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LBO issuance slides on slow buyout activity
Leveraged buyout high yield bond and leveraged loan issuance fell in Q3 2020 as a lack of buyout deals in a still cautious M&A market dampened appetite for financing
office building windows
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Distressed-driven restructurings rise amid COVID-19 fallout
Lockdowns and market volatility have put companies across the board under financial pressure and forced many leveraged finance borrowers into restructurings
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Stakebuilding: A multi-jurisdictional guide for investors
Infrastructure
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Infrastructure M&A remains robust despite COVID uncertainty
The energy transition and a growing need for efficient digital infrastructure are two trends fueling infrastructure dealmaking in 2020
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Managing civil disputes in France during the COVID-19 crisis (III)
mining
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Miners dig deep to weather the storm
Mining companies entered 2020 in good financial shape and have continued to secure finance despite disruption from COVID-19
city image
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NAV finance gains traction as private equity seeks liquidity
The use of net asset value finance by private equity firms has spiked under COVID-19 as managers explore new sources of liquidity in a weak M&A market
abacus
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Refinancing remains resilient
Refinancing activity has proven an attractive option amid COVID-19 disruption, with borrowers in good standing seeking to extend maturities and take advantage of low interest rates
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What does the new French lockdown mean for employers?
tower
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Renewables M&A offers hope for hard-hit energy sector
Deal activity within the renewables sector has been a bright spot for energy M&A in 2020
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A tale of two retail loan markets
COVID-19 split the retail financing market—players of scale with online capabilities thrived, while retailers reliant on brick-and-mortar stores for the bulk of their earnings came under increasing financial pressure
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Business Travels to France: New COVID-19 Considerations
Financial Institutions M&A: Sector trends - June 2019
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Retail M&A focuses on the essentials in 2020
Global retail M&A value increased year on year, as appetite for supermarket and convenience store assets resulted in big-ticket deals
stock market display
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The recap rebound
Dividend recapitalization activity plunged in the immediate aftermath of COVID-19 but, as markets recovered, investor appetite for recap deals swelled
Refinery
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No let up for oil and gas borrowers
The oil and gas sector has been one of the hardest hit by COVID-19 lockdowns and there has been little relief as restructurings rise across the industry
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Resurging leveraged loan issuance points to a stronger year
After taking a deep dive in Q2, US leveraged loan issuance picked up in Q3, while European markets gained year on year
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The European Commission starts two new studies into the mobile payment sector
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COVID-19: Disruption to Art Transactions
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The new reality for UK employers - Part 2: The duty to self-isolate - what employers need to know