Pensions Law

Advising private sector employers and public sector bodies on issues arising out of the operation of public sector arrangements (including admission terms and exit debts) including the LGPS, TPS and CSPS.

Supporting sponsoring employers and trustees in scheme funding negotiations and advising on tailored funding arrangements including asset backed contribution structures and contingent funding agreements (triggered on, for example, corporate disposals).

Advising on the grant of security by sponsoring employers (including use of contingent assets recognised by the Pension Protection Fund) as part of scheme funding negotiations or as mitigation for corporate activity.

Advising on pension law aspects of investment and on investment management agreements, fiduciary management agreements, custody agreements and platform provider terms.

Advising potential ‘targets’ of the Pensions Regulator’s ‘moral hazard’ powers (including financial support direction power) on their options and negotiating settlement of proposed regulatory action (including drafting settlement agreements).

Advising employers and trustees on the terms of bulk purchase annuity transactions as part of ‘buy-in’ and ‘buyout’ projects with recent projects concluded with insurers Legal & General, Aviva and Rothesay Life.

Advising on the pension implications of corporate activity (whether buy side or sell side) including the scope and application of TUPE, liabilities associated with public sector pension protections and managing risks arising from the Pensions Regulator’s ‘moral hazard’ powers.

Supporting our restructuring team when dealing with the pension implications of employer group reorganisations and restructuring (including ‘distressed’ employer scenarios).

Advising on the establishment, closure, merger and reconstruction of occupational pension schemes including as part of harmonisation projects and as a preliminary step to ‘buyout’.

Advising in relation to member disputes (including complaints to the Pensions Ombudsman and claims brought under Part 8 of the Civil Procedure Rules concerning the correct interpretation of pension scheme rules.

Advising companies on their ongoing employer duties in respect of automatic enrolment, undertaking audits on a company’s current automatic enrolment arrangements to determine compliance with the employer’s statutory obligations and advising on automatic enrolment breaches.

Advising both SSAS and SIPP trustees, providers and administrators, assisting and advising with regards to member disputes and preparation of scheme governing documentation.