About

I have advised employers on issues affecting their people for over 25 years. Having grown up as the daughter of a publican, I understand the reality of business and adopt a practical, commercial approach to my work.

In 2021, I led the merger with Jones Cassidy Brett to create Lewis Silkin's Belfast office and now head up the office and manage its rapidly growing team.

I am dual qualified in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and specialise in cross border and comparative work, proving a "one stop shop" for businesses who operate beyond borders.

I advise on the full range of employment issues including complex disciplinary and grievance processes, equality and equal pay matters, whistleblowing, large scale redundancies and TUPE, as well as executive severances and restrictive covenants.

Experience

Cross border employment

  • Acting as lead adviser on employment matters in NI and ROI for various clients
  • Managing large scale redundancy processes and TUPE processes affecting employees in NI and ROI
  • Advising on complex internal processes including grievances, bullying and harassment allegations, whistleblowing procedures and disciplinary matters
  • Defending employers against employment litigation in the Industrial and Fair Employment Tribunals in Northern Ireland and the Workplace Relations Commission in ROI to include constructive dismissal, disability, race, religion and gender discrimination and breach of working time regulations

Class action holiday pay and pension claims

  • Defending various public sector bodies and private sector clients against class action holiday pay claims brought by multiple claimants on an ongoing basis
  • Advising on strategy in consideration of the Supreme Court decision in PSNI v Agnew
  • Drafting responses to claims, representing clients in Case Management Preliminary hearings, and attending to interlocutory matters
  • Advising on negotiations with Unions and arrangements for collective conciliation through the Labour Relations Agency
  • Defending a number of public sector respondents against class action claims in respect of age discrimination claims in the context of changes in public sector pension schemes in 2015

TUPE

  • Advising on the application of TUPE to acquisitions and contract wins by clients in NI and ROI
  • Analysing Employment Liability Information provided by the target company and advising on due diligence and transferring liabilities
  • Advising on information and consultation obligations and appointment of Employee Representatives
  • Assessing measures arising and strategies for dealing with non-transferring employees
  • Negotiating TUPE clauses in asset transfer agreements and in the context of tender processes

Industrial relations issues & collective bargaining

  • Advising employers in relation to pay negotiations with various Unions
  • Reviewing and drafting collective agreements
  • Advising on strategy and ability to make offers outside the collective bargaining process and unlawful inducement
  • Advising on negotiations with Unions and arrangements for collective conciliation through the LRA Conciliation
  • Assessing notices for ballots and industrial action and advising on legal remedies available to businesses to restrain strike action, including High Court injunctive relief
  • Training senior management in respect of industrial relations matters and negotiations

Testimonials

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'Ciara Fulton provides great client service. She is engaging, knowledgeable and provides clear advice.'
Legal 500
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Services

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