Managing your most valuable asset
The strength of any business is its people. Managing those people in a way that works effectively for your business while complying with employment law, is vital. This can prove a difficult task in the complex and constantly evolving area of law. However, we can help by providing solutions that are tailored to your business needs, while offering leading-edge advice on the full spectrum of issues that arise in the employment context.
We are one of Northern Ireland’s largest dedicated
employment legal teams. The fact that our lawyers are qualified in England, Wales, the Republic of Ireland, as well as Northern Ireland, is an asset, as many clients have business concerns outside the local jurisdiction.
What we do:
The team routinely works with large and small employers in both the public and private sectors on the full range of employment matters, contentious and non-contentious. We also offer advice on pension issues and provide mediation services when required. Our experience has shown us that the earlier legal advice is sought on employment issues, the more likely it is that we can prevent matters becoming contentious.
Clients who avail of our services tell us that they particularly value our ability to get to the underlying issue quickly, offer prompt advice and suggest practical solutions. We pride ourselves in this ability to furnish astute advice at the outset, in order to prevent issues becoming contentious.
Employment Advisory Services: Non-Contentious Matters
Our team excels in providing general advisory services, including instructing on recruitment and selection, fair employment monitoring obligations, drafting terms and conditions of employment (for all levels of employees up to senior executives and directors of companies), as well as drafting and amending employment policies and procedures to ensure that they are contemporary and commensurate with current legislation and best practice. We are experienced in advising on the management of grievances, disciplinary matters, allegations of bullying and harassment, in addition to advising on long term sickness absence.
Many of our clients have benefitted from our help in drafting consultancy agreements and non-executive directors’ contracts; we also advise on the termination of employment of senior executives, directors and shareholders while also negotiating and drafting termination agreements. Fluctuating economic factors have led to increased demands for advice on rationalisation practices including collective redundancy exercises.
The employment team also works closely with their corporate colleagues advising in relation to employment aspects of mergers, acquisitions, disposals and outsourcing, in addition to providing a comprehensive service in relation to warranties, indemnities, due diligence and TUPE issues in all sectors.
Contentious Matters
- Claims to the Industrial Tribunals and Fair Employment Tribunal
Our lawyers represent employers in the Industrial Tribunals and Fair Employment Tribunal on a wide range of matters including claims of unfair dismissal, redundancy, discrimination, victimisation, bullying and harassment and unlawful deduction from wages.
- Industrial Court: Industrial Relations Advice
Our team is practised in advocating for employers on industrial relations issues, including successfully avoiding threatened applications for statutory recognition and threats of industrial action.
- High Court: Representing Employers
We represent employers in High Court proceedings, to include injunction proceedings, claims for damages against former employees and their new employers in respect of breaches of restrictive covenants. We have also defended employers against applications for interim injunctions to prevent continuing disciplinary action against an employee.
Service
We understand how important it is to thoroughly understand your business. One size rarely fits anyone, so we adopt a partnership approach with each of our clients. Your problem is our concern, our solutions are tailored to fit your needs. The nature of
employment issues dictates that timescales are often critical but due to the range and depth of our team’s experience we can provide pragmatic practical advice promptly.
Services provided for our clients also include breakfast briefing sessions, employment seminars and legal hotlines. We regularly speak at legal conferences on topics of interest and in particular on the differences between Northern Irish and Irish employment law practices. Anna Beggan leads the team.
Summary
Investing in your employment relationships makes sense because your employees are critical to the success of your business. As a full-service,
multi-jurisdictional employment, pensions and mediation team, we can help keep you abreast of the rapidly changing, highly complex area of law that governs those relationships. We offer services that are tailored to your business needs and work proactively and reciprocally with you to minimise the risks and maximise the benefits to your business.
"Impressive strength in depth," its high levels of customer service and its "willingness"to be available when required." (Chambers 2013)
We have been ranked by the UK Legal 500, as a Tier One provider of employment law advice in Northern Ireland. Anna Beggan, who leads the team, is acknowledged as, “first class, very knowledgeable”
(UK Legal 500) while other partners have been singled out for individual praise.
UK Legal 500 2009
- Anna Beggan - “knowledgeable”; Ciara Fulton - “very practical”
UK Legal 500 2010
- Anna Beggan - “first class, very knowledgeable”; Ciara Fulton - “well respected”.
Our clients say:
“We would rate them as excellent….Anna Beggan is first class. She is very knowledgeable in the area of employment law, leaves nothing to chance, responds very promptly, and is superb at anticipating counter-moves. We wouldn’t look beyond Tughans.” Richard Broderick, AB Distributors.
“The employment team in Tughans and Ciara Fulton in particular are always available with astute, business focused advice. Ciara is adept at thinking around issues to find innovative solutions with an eye to the future of the business in all cases”. Anna-Marie Curry, Bord-Na-Mona
"
Ciara is undoubtedly one of the best speakers we've ever had at Legal-Island - she's a natural communicator. As a lawyer she's very approachable, knowledgeable and hard working. First class!" Barry Phillips, CEO,
Legal-Island.