We advise clients on compliance for group personal pension schemes and existing occupational schemes (defined benefit and defined contribution) in a commercial and cost-effective way. Our experience includes advising on issues for high earners, categorisation of workers, employees who transfer under TUPE, reviewing agency contracts and drafting communications.

We deliver successful outcomes for all types of pension disputes including professional negligence claims, pensions liberation and fraud cases, pensions related warranty and indemnity claims, claims before the ombudsman and all aspects of pensions related court applications.

We help employers comply with legal requirements and implement changes such as:

• Funding and investment – assisting with negotiations for investment strategy
• Scheme change – including transition from final salary to CARE or defined contribution, increasing member contributions, capping pensionable salary and closure
• Corporate activity – negotiating with trustees when employers are seeking clearance from The Pensions Regulator or needing reassurance on their actions.

• Setting up new SIPPs, SSASs & QROPSs – including assistance with formal legal documents, marketing literature, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) application process, HMRC requirements, and training on operational and regulatory compliance
• Legal compliance and governance – including FCA/TPR compliance, trust and fiduciary duties, governance, pension taxation, outsourcing and third-party service provider arrangements and scheme changes
• Buying or selling a pensions business – we have decades of experience acting for both buyers and sellers, including SIPP and SSAS providers and portfolios, pensions consultancies, financial advisers and platform and wealth managers
• Going digital – our specialist digital and payments teams help overcome the various legal and regulatory challenges of turning the humble pension into an effective and compliant digital proposition

We advise governments, funders of social housing projects and both public and private sector employers on day-to-day issues under public sector schemes, GAD-approved schemes and transactional issues. 

We help with day-to-day legal and compliance issues from interpreting historical scheme rules to ensuring that discretions are properly exercised, as well as:

• Pension and Life Assurance trustee services – whether you need permanent secretarial services or careful handling of a one-off matter we bring impartiality and professional guidance to your trustee board
• Valuations and funding – helping trustees to understand the balance of power in their schemes to ensure they negotiate from the strongest position
• Investment documentation and third-party contracts – reviewing documents ranging from straightforward custody agreements and IMAs to derivatives and private equity investment