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Coping with Corona: Tips from Prague for Lawyers and Law Firms Around the World
- Make sure everyone can work from a distance (remote access, VPN, phones, stipend for office supplies etc).
- Check your deadlines. Prepare for court or government closures? Plan ahead. Make sure you can meet statutes of limitations etc.
- Start working from your home office as soon as possible; you will detect things to improve.
- Be ready for requests for advance payments.
- Provide equipment for everybody if you can manage (masks, gloves, disinfectant).
- Follow CDC and OSHA guidance on workplace recommendations, adhere to at least the minimum standards
- Keep employees informed, and provide support for them - www.who.int is a good source.
- Disinfect phones and keyboards daily, as well as any other surface of high contact, open windows regularly, if you can.
2. External tips:
- Will courts allow you to appear by video or telephone?
- Will shipments be affected, affecting your ability to meet deadlines? Is E-filing an option?
- Can you excuse yourself from a court appearance through an emergency motion?
Be ready to inform your clients via blogs and other communication channels especially these questions:
- Can I get insured against the risks related to covid-19?
- How to put employees on hold? How can I reduce their salary?
- How to transfer employees to other work?
- How to terminate agreements in a force majeur situation?
- Any subsidies from public funds?
- How to get ready for bankruptcy now?
- Any possibility to terminate (or separate) risky activities in the companies on a short notice?
Propose to your clients to look for synergies with other people. Society will be divided to those who have no work and those who are overloaded (for example tour operators with cars and drivers on hold can work for online shops delivering food etc.)
More articles:
Jasper Brinkman
Jasper Brinkman
"Following a devastating hotel fire in Prague, the law firm Holubová advokáti, led by attorney Klara Dvorakova, successfully represented our extended family as a group of victims. The firm navigated complex international insurance and compensation laws to defend our rights.
I would like to acknowledge the extraordinary efforts the firm had to make to bring our case to a successful compensation under extremely difficult circumstances."
Stewarts
Stewarts
"A visit to her daughter in London turned Eva's life upside down when she says she stepped into a crossing on a green light but was hit by a car. Despite her remarkable bravery, she faced a long treatment due to fractures in her pelvis, and the associated limitations and pain are likely to persist for the rest of her life. Regular headaches and impaired concentration compound her challenges.
Eva contacted us through an organization temporarily helping her manage her difficult living situation. At that time, she was destitute, relying only on subsistence payments. We were able to assist her because we specialize in personal injury and have contacts with proven colleagues abroad.
We worked with Stewarts, a UK law firm, on this case. Attorneys Klára Dvořáková and Rebecca Huxford helped Eva with the documentation in her case, explaining her options and the differences between the Czech and British systems of healthcare and social benefits reimbursement. Within a few months, thanks to the professional cooperation between the two offices, an offer of compensation from the insurance company of approximately CZK seven million was achieved. The client accepted this settlement because she did not want to deal with courts in the United Kingdom.
Subsequently, we assisted the client with related tax issues and contacted Auditone, a tax consultancy firm, which arranged for the filing of a tax return. Compensation for lost income is taxable, unlike most personal injury compensation.
'No one has done as much for me as you,' Eva said.
The fact that we were able to help Eva gives our work meaning and brings us great joy. We are very happy that, thanks to our many years of active involvement in the international professional organization PEOPIL, we can cooperate on such cases."