How to handle major projects during crisis

In recent months, the world has changed dramatically. An exceptional few are working remotely or in controlled environments, while many are not. Campaigns, events, construction, and all other manner of projects have been scaled down or otherwise put on hold.

In the immediate wake of the declaration of a pandemic by the WHO in relation to the Covid-19 virus, many business owners made swift decisions about how to protect their premises and staff, and how best to assist their employees to deal with the crisis. Businesses with ongoing infrastructure contracts also had to make a different type of decision – as to whether or not their projects could and should proceed, and whether or not to claim relief from the consequences of the pandemic. Overnight, project developers and contractors became experts on contractual and equitable relief, and all lawyers could talk about was ‘force majeure’ and ‘frustration’.