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Business Risk Services
Our Business Risk Services team deliver practical and pragmatic solutions that support clients in growing and protecting the inherent value of their businesses.
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Corporate Finance and Deal Advisory
We offer a dedicated team of experienced individuals with a focus on successfully executing transactions for corporates and financial institutions. We offer an integrated approach, with our corporate finance specialists working seamlessly with tax and other specialists to ensure that every angle is covered.
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Economic Advisory
Our all-island Economics Advisory team combines expertise in economics and business with a wealth of experience across the public and private sectors.
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Forensic Accounting
We have a different way of doing business by delivering real insight through a combination of technical rigour, commercial experience and intuitive judgment. We take pride in delivering responsive and tailored solutions to all our clients, capitalising on the wealth of experience housed within our Belfast and wider Forensics team
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People and Change Consulting
The Grant Thornton People & Change Consulting practice works with clients on these issues as well as on all aspects of how they attract, retain, engage develop, deploy and lead their people.
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Restructuring
We work with a wide variety of clients and stakeholders such as high street banks, private equity funds, directors, government agencies and creditors to implement solutions which provide the best possible outcomes.
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Technology Consulting
Motivating and assisting our clients to pursue, maintain and secure the benefits of digital solutions is at the core of our Digital Transformation teams' agenda and goals. We work with business leaders to deliver efficient digital strategies and operating models that provide new or enhanced capabilities.
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Corporate and International Tax
Northern Ireland businesses face further challenges as they operate in the only part of the UK that has a land border with a country offering a lower tax rate.
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Employer Solutions
Our team specialises in remuneration and incentive planning and works closely with employers, shareholders and employees to ensure that business strategies are aligned and goals achieved in the most tax efficient, cost-effective manner.
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Entrepreneur and Private Client Taxes
Our team of experienced advisors are on hand to guide you through any decision or transaction ranging from the establishment of new business ventures, to realising value on exit, to succession planning and providing for loved ones.
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Global Mobility Services
Grant Thornton Ireland offer a different approach to managing global mobility. We have brought together specialists from our tax, global payroll, people and change and financial accounting teams across Ireland and Northern Ireland, while drawing on the knowledge and insights of our global network of over 143 offices of mobility professionals to provide you with a holistic approach to managing global mobility.
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Outsourced Payroll
Our outsourced service provides valued service to over 150 separate PAYE schemes. These ranging from 1 to 1000 employees, working for micro, SME and global employers. The service is supported by the integrated network of tax and global mobility teams and the wider Grant Thornton network delivering a seamless service. Experienced staff deliver a personal service built around your business needs.
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Tax Disputes and Investigations
Our Tax Disputes and Investigation team is made up of tax experts and former HMRC investigators who have years of experience in dealing with a variety of tax investigations. Our expertise and insight can guide you through all interactions, keeping your cost at a minimum while allowing you to continue with the day to day running of your business.
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VAT and Indirect Taxes
At Grant Thornton (NI) LLP, our team helps Northern Ireland businesses manage their UK and global indirect tax risks which, as transactional taxes, can quickly become big liabilities.
“Don’t raise your voice, improve your argument”
28 Jun 2016In 1992 Stella Liebeck ordered a cup of coffee at a fast-food chain drive through. The coffee spilt, causing Ms. Liebeck to suffer third degree burns. Her lawsuit against the fast food chain has become legendary in many circles, and is commonly believed to be the reason many take-away coffee cups carry the words “Caution: The Contents may be Hot”.
What is less well-known about the case is that Ms. Liebeck originally sought a relatively small sum in compensation – just enough to cover actual and anticipated medical expenses, and loss of earnings for her daughter who provided her care. The fast food chain refused. She attempted to enter mediation and settlement negotiations. The fast food chain rejected her attempts.
The result?
The American jury settled – awarding compensatory and punitive damages totalling almost $3million US dollars (although this was significantly reduced by the judge). The parties ultimately settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.
An interesting story, but how does a legendary American dispute impact on the Belfast business market?
Lawsuits can be distressing for both parties, with reputations, finances and personal relationships on the line. It can be as unnerving for any CEO to receive a summons to court as it is for the individual taking the case, but as the fast food chain found out, it can be costly not to take such things seriously.
The Liebeck case, and more recent UK cases too, demonstrate it can be costly to both parties not to give fair consideration to mediation or settlement negotiations. It also pays to do your research before entering into any argument, and early engagement of the right experts (be it to value a claim, or to advise on the optimum temperature for coffee) can save time and money.
Many an individual will respond to litigation with the question of “What will it cost me?”, regardless of whether they believe they are in the right or wrong, and in most cases this is a question posed to the lawyers. The last thing the client often wants to hear is that they will need to spend more money on an expert opinion. However engaging experts, such as forensic accountants or engineers, early on can often help prepare for any surprises along the way.
As experts we’re always happy to have the conversation about if, where and how we can help. This could mean to help you negotiate settlement, to mediate or give evidence at court.
To quote Desmond Tutu “Don’t raise your voice, improve your argument”.