Offering ‘great technical pensions knowledge combined with litigation expertise’, Burges Salmon LLP‘s practice advises on the full scope of disputes, with its caseload consisting of drafting errors, equalisations, and Part 8 claims. The department assists a blend of trustees and employers and has a strong track record assisting the public and private sectors as well as personal pension providers. The team also has substantial experience in advising on regulatory matters, professional negligence suits, and claims arising from the liability-driven investment (LDI) crisis. Practice head Suzanne Padmore is highlighted for her occupational pension schemes and climate risk work. Justin Briggs ‘is a class act’ with experience handling professional negligence claims, among other areas. Amy Khodabandehloo is noted for her expertise in negligence claims and contentious cyber security matters.

Boasting ‘first-class knowledge and resources’, the team at CMS has a strong track record in major Part 7 professional negligence claims and complex Part 8 claims. Maria Rodia leads the team, with the ‘fantastic’ Neil Smith being a key port of call for actuarial and benefit consultants in professional negligence disputes; Neal Gibson brings additional experience in these areas. Manchester’s Tim Green handles a range of equalisation cases, Beddoe relief, and cross-border enforcements. TPR investigations are a core area of expertise for Keith Webster. Other key names include Mark Atkinson, who is commended as ‘one of the most knowledgeable and astute pensions lawyers in practice’, Simon Pilcher who is an expert in covenant support, scheme mergers, and asset backed funding, and Johanna Clarke who is particularly adept at assisting with DC master trusts. Alexandra Tomlinson, Simon Evans, and Kayleigh Garforth are also integral team members, and Mark Grant  retired.

Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP's team is known for acting in high-profile pension disputes. The team also has broad experience encompassing TPR enforcement investigations and proceedings, including on issues surrounding master trusts, governance issues, the use of scheme surpluses, and professional negligence claims. Praised as ‘one of the biggest names in pensions’, practice head Claire Carroll has a wealth of knowledge in scheme rectifications, pension ombudsman complaints, and defending professional advisors. Jennifer Miles counts protection of privilege and construction of scheme documents among her areas of expertise, while Emma King focuses on pensions regulatory investigations and complaints. Daniel Murphy and Richard Bacon are also integral members of the team, as are Felicity Rich, Amanda Rowley, and Samuel Fulda.

Gowling WLG‘s ‘top level’ team represents a diverse range of employers, trustees, local and national governments throughout the pensions space. The firm is well-known for handling high-profile high court and court of appeal cases, in addition to mandates concerning scheme surpluses and occupational scheme-related cases. The ‘exceptionally strong’ team is led by highly regarded pensions expert Ian Gordon who has vast expertise spanning from rectifications to professional negligence claims, in addition to acting as chair of the Association of Pension Lawyers Litigation sub-committee. Gordon is supported by Aaron Dunning-Foreman who is praised by clients for ‘energetic, hard-working, good at seeing alternative angles and thinking outside the box’, often advising on LDI claims. Nicky Yarwood who specialises in Part 8 claims is another key contact, as is Josh Sheppard.

Often collaborating closely with the firm's non-contentious pensions team, the pensions dispute resolution team at Linklaters LLP has extensive experience in handling the full spectrum of contentious pensions work for a blend of employers, trustees, insurers, and professional services firms. Praised for being ‘very clever but with a great tactical mind and common sense’, practice head Mark Blyth is regularly acts in disputes concerning funding and restructuring, matters involving the pensions regulator, benefit redesign, rectification and professional negligence. Sarah Opie and Tom Kent are key figures within the team who handle both contentious and non-contentious issues.

Pinsent Masons LLP stands out for their strength in professional negligence-related matters and pensions regulatory actions. Rectifications and moral hazard claims represent are another core part of the practice, with class actions and ombudsman complaint being an area of growth. Having assumed leadership of the practice in early 2024, Hayley Goldstone is ‘collaborative, outcome focused and practical’ and advises on the full gamut of pensions litigation. Former head, Isabel Nurse-Marsh is a central part of the team and is known for her ability to handle professional negligence claims, pensions ombudsman disputes, and judicial reviews, among other areas. In 2024, Charlotte Scholes joined the group from Gowling WLG, further strengthening the team’s bench in areas such as remedial litigation. Liam Fitzgerald and Laura Crilly are also recommended, as are Richard Meers, Matt Sumpton, and Sam Robinson. The team is spread across London, Scotland, and Manchester, and has experience representing insurance companies, law firms, and trustees.

 

 

The team at boutique firm Sacker & Partners LLP has extensive expertise spanning the full scope of pensions disputes, with a strong focus on high court litigation, regulatory investigations, data breaches, and issues relating to the LDI crisis. The firm acts for a number of high-profile clients including the likes of John Lewis Partnership Trust for Pensions, the DHL Group Retirement Plan, and Boots Pension Scheme, among many others. With longstanding experience in pensions litigation, Peter Murphy heads the practice, while James Bingham routinely handles member claims, professional negligence issues, and pensions ombudsman-related matters. Arshad Khan counts construction of deeds, rectification, and court-approved compromises among his areas of expertise, while Amy Difford is another integral member of the team.

With ‘extensive experience of the process and a unique capability to determine the most commercial approach’, Stephenson Harwood‘s team regularly acts in high-profile professional negligence claims and complex regulatory disputes, including FCA and TPR investigations, both of which are cornerstones of the practice. The group regularly collaborates with the firm’s private wealth, contentious trusts, pensions advisory, and regulatory teams. Described by clients as a ‘tactical genius’, Helena Berman leads the practice and has substantial experience acting on complex pensions and trust disputes concerning the law of limitation, construction of trust documents, and defending trustees in professional negligence cases. Jenny McKeown has ‘a great eye for litigation advantage’ and is adept at advising insurers and UK law firms on professional negligence claims. Chris Edwards-Earl is a ‘very personable and effective litigator’, while Maria Chami is another name to note.

The ‘smart, astute and very experienced’ team at Baker McKenzie handles a wide spectrum of pensions disputes, often representing trustees, sponsoring employers, professional service providers, and public pensions bodies before the High Court and Court of Appeal, and in matters involving the pensions ombudsman and pensions regulator. Heading the practice is Arron Slocombe who regularly advises on matters concerning buyouts and liability management, together with regulatory clearance and corporate restructurings. Jonathan Sharp, meanwhile, regularly assists with the establishment and amendment of schemes, mergers, scheme members’ complaints, and investment issues. Jeanette Holland is a key name for anti-avoidance and clearance matters. Tom McNaughton covers de-risking, corporate transactions and re-organisations, with Hannah Moxon and Lauren Awoyinka bringing further breadth on liability management matters.

Noted for advising sponsoring employers on drafting errors and issues relating to scheme documentation, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP's ‘technically excellent’ team is well-versed in construction and rectification issues in addition to surplus-related disputes, professional negligence claims, and issues arising from sponsor insolvencies. The team is jointly led by Samantha Brown and William Glassey with the former often handling a blend of contentious and non-contentious work such as pensions regulator enforcement cases, and the latter being particularly adept at handling professional negligence defence claims against solicitors, pensions actuaries, and property professionals. John Whiteoak, head of the contentious insolvency team, is another key name, as is Antonia Pegden who has experience in handling GMP equalisation cases. Dan Saunders is also recommended for matters involving professional negligence.

Notably acting for clients such as the Railways Pension Trustee Company Limited and for a trustee of the BBC Pension Scheme, Slaughter and May’s team acts for a number of high-profile trustees and employers. Part 8 proceedings and regulatory investigations make up core areas of expertise, along with Pension Ombudsman, benefits disputes, and professional negligence claims. The practice is led by the ‘excellent’ Richard Jeens who has substantial expertise spanning investigations and issues relating to structuring and transactions. Daniel Schaffer is praised for his combination of being ‘technically brilliant, razor sharp, and a great tactician’. Charles Cameron is another key name, as is Chris Sharpe who is particularly experienced on pensions aspects of complex M&A transactions and restructurings. Isobel Carruthers and Rachel Hunter are key figures within the team, and Sandeep Maudgil retired in April 2023.

Squire Patton Boggs’ pensions disputes team is described by clients as a ‘first choice for representative beneficiary work’ and is noted for its ‘specialist knowledge of UK pensions regulation’. Aside from its strength in regulatory and fraud work, the practice also has extensive experience in handling professional negligence claims, construction and rectification issues, risk management and pensions insurance matters, and data breach incidents. Described by one client as ‘one of the best pensions lawyers in the UK’, Victoria Leigh heads the team and brings a wealth of knowledge in risk management and commercial disputes space. With experience assisting trustees, members, and pensions advisors, Jason Blakey is especially noted for advising on regulatory proceedings and pensions regulator actions. Mariyam Harunah is another key name. The team is spread across London, Manchester, Leeds, and Birmingham.

 

Addleshaw Goddard’s varied practice advises on a wide range of disputes, including those relating to professional negligence, surplus management, restructuring and insolvency, and de-risking, among other areas. The team is regularly instructed by large companies, trustee boards, and pensions professionals, and has wide sector expertise ranging from university schemes to energy and utilities. Leading the team is Susan Garrett who has extensive experience in handling cases spanning pensions ombudsman claims to sex equalisation, scheme documentation and professional negligence. Rachel Uttley is especially active on IDRP and ombudsman claims, with a number of recent cases relating to benefit rectification. Jade Murray  utilises her longstanding experience to act for blue-chip pensions trustees; Murray also leads the firm's the SIPPs and pension products team. Other key names include Clare Dwyer and Alexandra Seabridge, both of whom have expertise across construction of pension documents, rectifications, and professional negligence claims.

Drawing on the firm’s strong PI expertise, the ‘intellectually first rate and strategic’ team at Clyde & Co excels in handling professional negligence claims. Other areas of expertise include remedial proceedings relating to construction issues, disputes arising from defective drafting of scheme documentation, and defective restructuring and merger advice. Alongside these, the practice’s trustee liability insurance expertise stands out. Fergal Cathie leads the team, with Ivan Wilkinson being well-known for his professional liability expertise. Laura Cooke specialises in financial institutions insurance mandates where she regularly advises insurers on coverage under pension trustee liability policies. Also recommended are Toby Rouse and Paul Hodges.

Often representing sponsoring blue-chip employers and trustees across a wide range of pensions disputes, Dentons has a strong track record across defined benefit and defined contribution schemes; this is complemented by its experience in advising on life assurance arrangements and healthcare trusts, in addition to public sector schemes. Alongside disputes concerning surplus distribution, buy-outs, and member complaints, the department is well-placed to assist on data breach incidents and ESG issues. Eleanor Hart heads the practice and is well-versed in a wide range of pensions disputes including those with cross-border aspects. Having joined in the second half of 2023, Carolyn Saunders is another highly regarded practitioner with a strong understanding of ESG-related matters.

Acting for, among other groups, a blend of insurers, and professional service firms, Mayer Brown International LLP’s cross-disciplinary team advises on the full gamut of pensions disputes. The firm has broad experience in handling pensions ombudsman and regulatory investigation cases, in addition to disputes arising from scheme document rectification, investment disputes, governance issues, and insolvency-related disputes. Practice head Andrew Block is skilled across a broad set of contentious regulatory and litigation matters, assisting both trustees and employers. Tim Shepherd regularly defends claims against professional firms and individuals, while Stuart Pickford has vast expertise in governance matters.

Taylor Wessing LLP’s team is highly regarded for its pensions fraud work, together with its advising of professional trustees in particular. The firm is also highly reputed for its corporate restructuring work as well as rectification and cases involving the pensions regulator. With experience advising a range of employers and trustees from large companies, public sector bodies, and charities, among other groups, Mark Smith leads the team with his broad experience on both the contentious and non-contentious sides.

TLT’s ‘sensible and pragmatic’ pension litigation team has experience spanning a broad array of pensions matters, particularly in relation to rectification proceedings and professional negligence claims. The team continues to handle High Court litigation, pensions ombudsman complaints, and instructions surrounding SIPP investments. Practice co-head Sasha Butterworth regularly acts for employers and trustees on pension change projects, regulatory work, master trusts, and ESG governance. Fellow co-head and ‘good litigation tactician’ Victoria Mabbett brings is well-versed in professional negligence, construction and rectification matters. Chris Crighton is a key name for public sector pensions disputes. Other key names include Ed Fiddick, Kate Ward, Victoria Channing, and Richard Clark.

Led by David Gallagher, Fieldfisher’s pensions team advises across a wide range of sectors including in electricity to road transport, university to utilities. In doing so, the practice handles a mix of liability management projects, insurer buy-ins, and master trust transfers. Having recently been appointed as Chair of the Association of Pensions Lawyers, Gallagher advises a number of domestic and international schemes, and is particularly known for his electricity industry experience within the energy and natural resources sectors.  Michael Calvert advises on pension aspects of corporate transactions and restructurings, with Jeremy Harris and Andrew Patten being other key contacts. Associate Katie Whelan is another integral part of the team.

Norton Rose Fulbright’s team is described by clients as ‘an all-round first rate pensions’ group, standing out for its growing workload of benefits correction and investigation mandates, together with its handling of complex transfers and scams prevention matters. Lesley Browning  and Patrick Bourke jointly lead the team, with the former advising on funding negotiations between the pensions regulator, managing trade unions and members relating to benefit errors, and the latter bringing wide-reaching commercial litigation expertise. Shane O’Reilly is a key name for compliance issues and cases relating to IDRP and the pensions ombudsman.