Edward Birrell
Senior Associate, Dispute Resolution, Private Wealth Disputes
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Pensions Legal Services
Pensions law is a complex and fast-changing area, sitting at the intersection of a number of different practice areas.
Our pensions law expertise
These include trust law, employment law, tax law, company law, public law, financial services and litigation, as well as the large amount of statutory pensions legislation, which creates its own Regulatory framework.
Types of pension schemes
Pension schemes take many forms. Frequently-encountered examples in the employment context are traditional occupational final salary schemes, many of which are now in run-off, industry-wide pension schemes, public service schemes, more modern workplace pension schemes formed to meet auto enrolment requirements,excepted group life assurance schemes, and smaller schemes. In the context of personal financial planning in the UK, advisers often encounter SIPPs and QROPS.
Pensions disputes
The courts have had to consider pensions schemes on many occasions. Sometimes this is cooperative litigation, such as construction questions, uncontested rectification claims or the approval of compromises; and in other cases it is highly contentious, such as professional negligence proceedings. Added to that, many pensions disputes are resolved outside the courts, whether by negotiation or by recourse to the Pensions Ombudsman or the Pensions Regulator. Whatever the nature of your pensions dispute, our specialist team of disputes lawyers are here to help.
Our pensions law services
Whether you are a pension scheme trustee, employer or member, our inter-disciplinary team of experts can provide you with cost-effective and practical solutions on a wide range of contentious and non-contentious issues you may face, in a clear, concise and straightforward way.
Our UK team can advise you in the following areas:
- Scheme funding requirements and section 75 debts;
- Mistakes in scheme documentation, including construction, rectification and associated professional negligence proceedings and related advisory work;
- Professional negligence involving actuaries and auditors;
- Overpayments and underpayments, recovery and recoupment;
- Scheme administration and trusteeship;
- Liaising with public authorities, including the Pensions Regulator, PPF and HMRC;
- Pensions Ombudsman complaints;
- Local government pension scheme and related charity issues;
- Auto enrolment requirements;
- All aspects of the taxation of pension schemes;
- Fraud and investigations.
Meet the Team
Related pages
Employment
We help untangle the full spread of employment, pensions and immigration issues, for a broad range of businesses.
International Employment
Our team can deliver a coordinated and commercial approach worldwide wherever your employment issues arise.
Immigration
Whether you require UK immigration assistance as an individual or as an organisation, our specialist lawyers can help you.
What's important to you is important to us. Let's talk
If you would like to speak to a member of our Pensions team or to find out more about how we work, please get in touch
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Has the Orpéa plan impaired shareholder's consent? - Le plan de sauvegarde d'Orpéa n'a-t-il pas vicié le consentement des actionnaires historiques ?
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The Budget’s pension changes: an opportunity for inheritance tax planning?
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New climate-related disclosure rules proposed for asset managers, life insurers and regulated pension providers
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