Coronavirus (COVID-19) update – 17th March 2020
As the global health emergency COVID-19 continues to spread, the health and welfare of our clients, colleagues and community is paramount.
Our Management Team are continuously reviewing government guidance and advice and we are taking sensible precautions and doing what we can to help reduce the risk of the spread of the virus.
We are also implementing necessary measures to enable us to continue to provide legal services and high standards of client care during what is likely to be extraordinary and uncertain times in the coming weeks and months.
Keeping our clients and colleagues safe
We ask that clients with a scheduled appointment at one of our offices consider whether this is essential – we are more than happy to facilitate a telephone appointment where feasible to do so.
We ask that clients do not attend scheduled appointments or drop in to our offices if they are feeling unwell or if anyone in their household has symptoms.
We also advise that all visitors travelled from any designated ‘lockdown areas’ or ‘special care zones’ in the last 14 days will be unable to enter our offices or meet with our staff face to face.
For clients or visitors that do attend the office, please don’t be offended if we don’t shake your hand as we have advised our staff against this.
We have stopped all non-essential travel between our offices and staff feeling unwell are asked to stay at home in line with government self- isolation guidelines.
We have adopted a considered and proportional approach to business travel and attendance at events.
We are providing our staff with the latest NHS guidance and reminders about hygiene and ensuring stocks of essential handwash and antibacterial hand sanitising gel are maintained.
Continuation of legal services
At present our offices remain open and we are operating as normal, however, our teams are able to access our IT systems remotely within a secure data environment and can therefore work from home if they are required to do so.
We are confident that our technology and best practices will enable us to continue to provide a high level of service irrespective of the location of our colleagues or the length of time that home working may be required.
Our lawyers will attend court and tribunal hearings as normal and our police station cover remains in operation.
For now, it is business as usual, however, we will endeavour to keep our clients up to date with any further measures as and when they become necessary.
If you have any concerns or queries about your matter please don’t hesitate to contact the person dealing with your file by phone or email.
