Save content
Have you found this content useful? Use the button above to save it to your profile.

BDO ADR mini series, Episode 2: What lies beneath?

18th Mar 2014
Save content
Have you found this content useful? Use the button above to save it to your profile.

In the last episode, Mr and Mrs Spencer-Smith met face-to-face for the first time with HMRC and mediator Anstey Thomas, to begin their alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mediation day. 

This was the first time in their three-year dispute that they met the Revenue inspectors dealing with their case, Mr Gain and Mr Blood - and tensions ran high.

Episode two of the mini-series, featured below, moves onto the next stage of mediation - from establishing the facts in dispute, to both parties separating into different rooms and having a one-to-one conversation with the mediator.

BDO’s tax director, Dawn Register gives a running commentary alongside the drama.

She explains that in the exploration stage of the process, the mediator will spend time with each party separately, asking open questions to explore the issues in more detail.

"At this stage, there's no mention of potential solutions. This is purely getting to know them, trying to draw out new information and to explore what has gone on for the last three-and-a-half-years," she said.

Often, issues arise from these one-to-one meetings with the mediators that might not have previously come out in other forms of correspondence, Register explained. 

In this week's episode, the mediator's open questions  enable Mr and Mrs Spencer-Smith to share new and vital pieces of information, including personal issues that are pertinent to one of the elements of the dispute.

"Now we really have some critical information we can use in the bargaining phase," Register said.

She added that alongside new information that can aid a case in being resolved, it's common in mediation for both sides to come away with a new perception of each other, compared to the "entrenched view" they had at  the start of the day. 

As the video progresses, we see how effective the mediation process can be in getting taxpayers to cooperate in comparison to written, electronic or telephone communication.

But will this be enough to dispel the earlier tensions between Mr Spencer-Smith and Revenue inspector Mr Blood? 

"This is a complete waste of time," Blood growls at the beginning of meeting with Thomas. 

"Trust me and trust the process," she calmly replies. 

To find out what happens next, watch the above video - and don't forget to comment below to let us know what your views of the case are. Are the clients in the right, and with this new piece of information about their son, how do you feel about their dispute now? 

Interesting dispute fact: Last week, we asked you what your main concern before an HMRC meeting would be. The top answer (34%) was lack of experience in dealing with such situations, followed by a fear of surprises up the HMRC inspector's sleeve.

Now answer our poll below: 

Tags:

You might also be interested in

Replies (2)

Please login or register to join the discussion.

the sea otter
By memyself-eye
18th Mar 2014 16:23

dead employees...

one million pound 'office' extensions, trips abroad on business, I thought the daily diet of soaps had some unbelievable plot lines. Is this supposed to be an approximation of real life? Maybe there are clients who presumably have no accountant to 'advise' them (yet these people do?)

Roll on part 3.

 

Thanks (0)
By Rachael White
18th Mar 2014 17:05

Glad it was of interest!

Hope others view the video before reading your spoilers. :)

Just kidding - but part three, which moves onto the bargaining phase and is out in two weeks' time, does have some really great scenes.  

Thanks (0)