Still too little, too late and no urgency on ‘expanded’ COVID-19 debt relief for developing countries

Expert comment by Dr Stephen Connelly, Dr Celine Tan, Karina Patricio and Chris Tassis from the Centre for Law, Regulation and Governance of the Global Economy (GLOBE) at Warwick Law School.

Professor Christian Twigg-Flesner has written a number of papers over recent months on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on commercial and consumer contracts, and how contract law might be affected beyond the current circumstances.

Warwick Law School's Dr Stephen Connelly and Dr Celine Tan comment on the G20's non-deal on sovereign debt.

"The lack of new commitments and policy proposals for tackling the sovereign debt crisis in developing countries by the G20 is disappointing and will have widespread ramifications not only for the indebted countries but for the global community."

Dr Sharifah Sekalala, Associate Professor in Warwick Law School, comments on the potential challenges of a local lockdown.

Dr Stephen Connelly and Dr Celine Tan are supporting civil society groups, led by Jubilee Debt Campaign UK and Oxfam GB, in proposing legislation in the UK that will have the effect of suspending debt owed to private creditors of countries eligible for the G20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI).

Assistant Professor Dr Laura Lammasniemi will be appearing on BBC Two’s A House Through Time on Tuesday 9 June at 21:00.

Should Government and the Bank of England act to relieve the pressure on corporates to satisfy financial covenants in loan agreements, given the economic difficulties caused by the coronavirus "suppression strategy"? Warwick Law School's Dr Stephen Connelly comments.

Dr Sharifah Sekalala, Associate Professor at Warwick Law School was part of an international working group on a two year in-depth inquiry into the ethical issues relating to research in global health emergencies. The aim of the report is to identify ways in which research can be undertaken ethically during emergencies, in order to promote the contribution that ethically-conducted research can make to improving current and future emergency preparedness and response.

Was the killing of Iranian General Soleimani legal? Dr Christine Schwobel-Patel, Associate Professor in Warwick Law School looks at "imminent threat," a key test that must be met in order to claim self-defence under international law.

Warwick Law's Professor John McEldowney comments on the legal challenges to the Prime Minister's decision to prorogue Parliament.

"Traditionally the farming lobby illegally opened up land in Brazil and the state acquiesced. With his aggressive rhetoric Bolsonaro has pump primed that sector." Dr George Meszaros, Associate Professor in Warwick Law School, comments on some of the political and legal issues surrounding the burning of the Amazon.

Commenting on the statement issued by the influential US group, the Business Roundtable, Dr Andreas Kokkinis said:- "The Business Roundtable, one of the most influential US business groups representing some of the largest US companies, has just reversed its long-standing policy on the purpose of the business corporation.