Vaunting involvement in some of the biggest contentious pensions matters for leading private and public sector clients and personal pension providers, Burges Salmon LLP has a pensions disputes team that provides specialist litigation advice. The team is capable across large occupational scheme work, SSAS and SIPP regulatory, compliance and disputes advice, the pensions disputes aspects of financial services, fraud and cyber, and tax matters, multifaceted rectification and construction claims, and acts for both trustees and employers in declaratory and professional negligence claims. Leading the team is Suzanne Padmore, a Bristol-based specialist in occupational schemes and ESG/climate risk and litigation as they pertain to asset management. Justin Briggs, noted for his track record of litigation success, and Amy Khodabandehloo, a specialist in negligence claims, are also recommended.

Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP‘s pensions disputes team represents a wide array of clients, from trustees, employers, and administrators to master trusts, life offices, product providers, and banks. Working closely with the firm’s non-contentious practice, the team advises disputes on mis-selling claims, judicial reviews, TPR enforcement proceedings, and internal investigations. Practice head Claire Carroll is a veteran pensions practitioner with considerable experience in professional negligence claims, representative proceedings on rectification from the Court, and Pensions Ombudsman complaints. Jennifer Miles is another standout team member and a specialist litigation expert experienced in rectification, construction of scheme documents, professional negligence, and Pensions Regulator matters. Richard Bacon provides specialist support in complex and high-value trusts litigation.

From blue-chip multinational companies and trustees and professional trustees to local authorities and employers, Gowling WLG has a market-leading pensions disputes team. The team is well-versed in professional negligence, lifeboat schemes, PPF issues, and member complaints, having recently expanded their focus into liability-driven and investment-based claims for compensation. Leading the team is Ian Gordon, the Chair of the APL’s Dispute Resolution Sub-Committee and specialist in complex and high-value pensions litigation and regulatory-related matters. Aaron Dunning-Foreman is an expert in claims related to failed or defective liability-driven investment strategies.

Linklaters LLP‘s pensions disputes team is a go-to firm for some of the most complex and high-value disputes before the Courts and the Pensions Regulator, working with major household name clients. Mark Blyth, an expert in advising employers, trustees, insurers, and professional services clients on scheme funding, restructuring, benefit design, rectification, and professional negligence matters, is the team head. Standout practitioner Sarah Opie is another key contact for contentious matters.

With a speciality focus on mass actions globally, the pensions disputes team at Pinsent Masons LLP acts for household-name clients on all aspects of pensions litigation and especially in Representative Beneficiary Appointments. The team also has a more niche focus in the sectors, such as the automotive and energy industries. Other areas the team excels in include rectifications, professional negligence proceedings, TPR actions, and, more recently, cyber claims and master trust litigation. The practice is led by the Manchester-based Hayley Goldstone, an expert practitioner in multiparty professional negligence claims against solicitors and actuaries, funding disputes, and Pensions Ombudsman claims. Charlotte Scholes is another key team member and a specialist in member complaints, Ombudsman proceedings, and High Court litigation. Isabel Nurse-March retired from the practice in July 2024.

A niche pensions-focused firm, Sacker & Partners LLP‘s disputes offering covers the entire spectrum of contentious work, from member complaints and regulatory litigation to High Court proceedings. The team is especially well-versed in regulatory investigations, risk management, data breaches, and member disputes. Peter Murphy, a specialist in High Court trustee applications, contentious investigations, investment claims, and professional negligence claims, heads up the team. James Bingham is another key contact and an expert in High Court claims and professional negligence work, as well as in member complaints before the Pensions Ombudsman. The team is also bolstered by the support of Arshad Khan, who is experienced in complex and high-stakes litigation and technical members’ complaints and claims.

With a cross-practice ability across private wealth, contentious trusts, regulatory, and pensions advisory matters, Stephenson Harwood‘s team advises on a mix of high-profile and complex disputes. Other areas of expertise for the team include FCA investigations, Pensions Regulator issues, professional negligence claims, complex construction and rectification proceedings. Practice head Helena Berman is a veteran litigator on representative beneficiary cases for household-name clients. Other standout team members include Jenny McKeown, a specialist in acting for insurers and UK law firms in professional negligence claims, interpretation/construction and rectification applications, and managing multi-party claims. Chris Edwards-Earl acts on a range of rectification and construction cases, public sector schemes, and professional negligence proceedings. Maria Chami is also recommended.

Baker McKenzie‘s pensions disputes team is experienced in the full range of contentious issues, regularly handling work at the High Court, Court of Appeals, and Supreme Court. The team’s expertise includes RPI/CPI matters, regulatory investigations and TPR intervention, dividend payments, scheme valuation, and funding disputes. Arron Slocombe, a practitioner with over twenty years of experience in pensions litigation, heads the team. The group is supported by Jonathan Sharp, a specialist in scheme members’ complaints and Pensions Ombudsman disputes. Other key team members include Jeanette Holland, a pensions restructuring and anti-avoidance issues expert, and Tom McNaughton, experienced in High Court and appeals litigation.

CMS‘ pensions disputes team is noted for its capabilities in Part 7 professional negligence actions, working with some of the most recognisable blue-chip clients. Other areas of speciality include Part 8 actions and contentious matters concerning the Pensions Regulator. Maria Rodia is the head of the practice, while other notable team members include Neil Smith, who regularly acts for actuarial and benefit consultants in professional negligence actions and Part 8 claims, and Tim Green, a Manchester-based practitioner that advises household-name clients on the full gamut of pensions dispute issues. Neal Gibson, who has been involved in some of the most substantial Part 7 and Part 8 claims in the past few decades, is also recommended.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP is instructed by a broad client base, encompassing household-name schemes and sponsors, asset managers, insurers, actuaries, benefit consultants, law firms, and scheme administrators. From resolving scheme documentation problems to professional negligence claims, the team boasts an in-depth and wide-ranging ability in contentious pensions issues. Samantha Brown, an expert in advising claimants and defendants on High Court disputes and declaratory proceedings and scheme surplus and pension increase disputes, leads the team alongside William Glassey, a specialist in professional negligence claims, especially claims against solicitors, actuaries, and property professionals. Antonia Pegden bolsters the team’s professional negligence abilities.

Boasting recent successful involvement in two major Court of Appeals decisions, Slaughter and May‘s pensions disputes practice advises large pensions schemes on the full gamut of pensions disputes. Outside their expertise in appeals, the team is well-versed in Part 8 proceedings, regulatory investigations, and advising on Pension Ombudsman matters. The team head is Richard Jeens, an experienced practitioner with a track record in work concerning the Pensions Regulator; Jeens regularly acts for trustees and employers, drawing on experience concerning investigations for major corporates, financial institutions, and governmental bodies. Daniel Schaffer has nearly thirty years of experience advising on industry-wide schemes, while Chris Sharpe is a specialist in Part 8 proceedings and advising large, multinational corporates.

Squire Patton Boggs‘ pensions disputes team regularly works with employers, trustees, and members on internal scheme disputes, professional negligence claims, funding disputes, regulatory disputes, and scheme correction and implementation issues. Other areas of expertise include small self-administered schemes, contentious regulatory and fraud matters, pension tax issues, and pension insurance advising. Based in Manchester, the ‘highly respected’ practice head Victoria Leigh is particularly experienced in regulatory, scheme funding, and professional negligence issues. Mariyam Harunah routinely acts for representative beneficiaries in Part 8 claims, and trustees in pensions scams, professional negligence, and member complaints.

Leveraging their regional footprint across London, Leeds, and Manchester, the Addleshaw Goddard pensions disputes team acts for blue-chip corporates, trustee boards, and pensions professionals. The practice often handles specialist litigation stemming from SIPPs, SSAS, and pension products, pensions liberation and fraud matters, master trusts and independent trustee work, professional services partnerships, and data breaches. Rachel Uttley, the Leeds-based practice head, is a specialist in IDRP and Pension Ombudsman claims. Other standout practitioners include Catherine McAllister and Alexandra Seabridge.

With a growing team that specialises in trustee liability insurance and defending claims against pensions professionals, Clyde & Co‘s pensions disputes team is well-placed to handle contentious pensions claims. The team is deeply experienced with claims related to the construction of the scheme and rectifications, defective execution, drafting issues, and scheme amendment issues. Practice head Fergal Cathie is highly experienced in professional services disputes and regulatory investigations. Ivan Wilkinson is another leading contact, experienced in professional liability, pension scheme remediation, and advising on issues arising as a result of prior advice in relation to pension trustees and employers.

Dentons‘ pensions disputes practice regularly advises sponsoring employers on DB and DC schemes, life assurance arrangements and healthcare trusts, on restructuring and insolvency-related matters, and often in the public sector. The team regularly acts for household-name clients, appearing before the High Court and the Court of Appeals. Practice head Eleanor Hart is experienced in cross-border contentious work, with extensive experience working for public sector clients. The ‘brilliant’ Carolyn Saunders, noted for her ESG focus, is experienced in advising corporate, trustee, and provider clients.

Noted for its experience in Part 8 proceedings, Fieldfisher‘s pensions disputes team is noted for its experience in High Court litigation, acting for representative beneficiaries, in cross-over litigation, in contentious regulatory proceedings, and challenging HMRC pensions tax matters. Practice head David Gallagher is a sector specialist in the electricity industry and chair of the APL. Other notable members include Oliver Reece, who joined from PwC in 2024.

Handling a mix of member complaints, disputes before the Ombudsman, High Court litigations, regulatory investigations, Determinations Panel proceedings, and scheme rectifications, Mayer Brown International LLP‘s team advises on the full range of contentious pensions matters for some of the UK’s largest occupational schemes. The team operates a cross-disciplinary approach, frequently handling insolvency-related disputes, surplus distribution issues, and more. Leading the team is Andrew Block, a pensions specialist who combines advisory and transactional know-how and expertise in advising employers on contentious matters to assist clients. Stuart Pickford is also recommended.

TLT‘s pensions disputes team is noted for its capabilities in professional negligence claims, High Court litigation, Ombudsman complaints, declarations from the court, and rectification claims. The team is also regularly engaged by SIPP providers and benefit consultants. Sasha Butterworth, an expert in advising employers and trustees on pension change projects, regulatory products, and master trusts, co-leads the team alongside Victoria Mabbett, a specialist in professional negligence, rectification, and pension construction matters.

A specialist pensions firm that has recently bolstered its offering in the charity sector, Arc Pensions Law has deep practice disputes experience, frequently operating cross-jurisdictionally. The team works with professional trustees on Pensions Regulator appointments, handling fraud investigations, asset recovery, and compensation claims. The practice is led by the ‘extremely supportive’ Ben Fairhead, who brings experience in breach of trust disputes, regulatory matters, negligence cases, and suspected scams issues.

With a focus on pre-litigation advice and mediation, Norton Rose Fulbright‘s pensions disputes team advises on the full spectrum of matters, from issues related to funding, investments, and scheme construction to benefit provisions, commercial terms of service, data breaches, and professional negligence claims. Practice head Lesley Browning is a market-leader in investigatory and benefit correction matters, advising clients in managing trade unions, and contentious funding negotiations. Other notable practitioners include Shane O’Reilly, a compliance expert in pensions regulatory and legislative regimes.

Specialising in pensions fraud matters, company restructuring, auto-enrolment and resolving related obligations, and assisting clients before regulatory bodies, Taylor Wessing LLP‘s pensions disputes team has deep experience advising professional trustees. Mark Smith, who leads the team, advises FTSE 100 companies, public sector bodies, and charities. Other standout practitioners include Anna Taylor.