The event started with a welcome address given by Mr. Dilip Chinoy, Secretary General, FICCI. The session was conducted by Mr. Mohit Saraf, Senior Partner, L&L Partners and assisted by legal experts; Mr. Akshay Nagpal, Mr. Karan Mitroo and Mr. Vaibhav Kakkar.

The main issues discussed during e session were:

1.      Force Majeure and Analysis vis-à-vis COVID-19

2.      Frustration of Contract and Analysis vis-à-vis COVID-19

3.      Regulatory Framework to deal with COVID 19 &

4.      Impact on Commercial Contracts

The session addressed various aspects of the legal and regulatory framework and its impact on businesses in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the speakers discussed the impact and implications of COVID-19 on various aspects such as (a) commercial contracts from the perspective of principles of ‘force majeure’ and ‘frustration’; and (b) implications from the standpoint of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 (“Epidemic Act”), the Disaster Management Act, 2005 (“DM Act”) and the Civil Defence Act, 1968 (“Defence Act”). Further, the key measures undertaken by the Government, regulatory authorities and the courts in ensuring public safety as well as minimising and preventing the spread of COVID-19 were also discussed. Number of cases were also taken by the experts to have a clear understanding of the issues and way out. Post discussion the question answer round was held to address the various related issues of the participants.