In light of the rapidly evolving situation regarding the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus), I would like to update you on the approach we are taking to mitigate the potential impact on client service delivery and minimise the risk the virus poses to colleagues, clients and contacts.
Shepherd and Wedderburn’s leadership team continues to monitor UK and Scottish government advice and is meeting regularly via video conference to review our policies and plan accordingly. I am pleased to tell you our operations are currently unaffected.
Our priorities are safeguarding the health and wellbeing of our colleagues, clients and visitors to our offices, delivering client services of the highest quality and maintaining the quickest possible response times.
We have an established business continuity plan and an embedded agile working capability that is allowing us to continue to support clients remotely as colleagues work from home. Our lawyers and their support staff are equipped for remote working, with access to our secure systems and databases. In addition, your Shepherd and Wedderburn adviser or a member of their team will be available via the usual contact telephone number and email address.
As part of our business continuity plan, we also have protocols in place to ensure that clients with active, time-sensitive matters on which we are advising will continue to receive timely support from our lawyers and legal teams. We are also prepared to deploy resource, as necessary, from all four of our UK offices (Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and London) to minimise disruption and maintain client service. In addition, we are using our video conferencing technology to conduct remote meetings with clients and contacts.
These are uncertain times and we are supporting a number of clients operating in a wide variety of sectors in preparing for the potential impact of COVID-19 on their organisations. We have established a COVID-19 Advisory Group, which draws on relevant, specialist expertise from across the firm to provide clients with informed, pragmatic legal advice on the unprecedented challenges posed by the global pandemic.
I would like to take this opportunity to reassure you that Shepherd and Wedderburn stands ready to support you and your business, and we will take all measures at our disposal not only to maintain continuity of service but also to help you plan and prepare for the challenging times ahead.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with your usual Shepherd and Wedderburn adviser.
We will, of course, update you with any additional, relevant information as necessary.
Andrew Blain, Managing Partner
