Praised as ‘supportive, approachable and pragmatic', DLA Piper UK LLP advises on the full range of pension-related matters with particular expertise in bulk annuities work. The group has extensive experience acting for large and complex pension schemes, such as the Royal Insurance Group, Universities Superannuation Scheme, and the Medical Research Council. The practice is co-led by Ben Miller in Liverpool, who has a ‘big picture focus' and advises on the full range of pension scheme issues, including the establishment of closure schemes, mergers and acquisitions, and the bulk transfer of benefits, and the ‘diligent' Gary Davies in Manchester, whose expertise spans high-value transactions, such as buy-in transactions and bulk transfers into DC master trusts, as well as equalisation issues. Manchester-based Scott Rorke advises both trustees and employers on all aspects of pensions, and Stephanie Owens in Liverpool is also a key contact.

Led by Ele Lovering, the full-service pensions practice at Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP in Manchester ‘can get to the heart of an issue to deliver pragmatic advice and workable solutions‘. The group acts for employers, pension schemes, public authorities, and insurers, and has a ‘good range of expertise‘ that spans both the private and public sectors, pensions insurance, and pensions investment. It is also experienced in handling international matters. The group includes general pensions practitioner Simon Daniel, who has expertise advising clients on asset investment decisions, investment governance and disclosure issues, and pension bulk annuity transactions, and Charmian Johnson, who advises employers and trustees on the full range of pensions provision with a particular specialism in international benefits. Another notable practitioner is newly promoted partner Amanda Small, who ‘provides great in-house experience‘ across a broad range of defined benefit and defined contribution arrangements.

With particular expertise in pensions buy-in and buy-out transactions, the Manchester-based team at Hill Dickinson LLP ‘give clear advice promptly and demonstrates a pragmatic approach that is very helpful to trustees and sponsors'. The group also has considerable experience advising on scheme restructurings and benefit change exercises, as well as work relating to funding solutions and security. Leading the group, Barry Gibb is an expert in both transactional and scheme advisory work, and he boasts a broad range of specialisms that include buy-out transactions, benefit change exercises, scheme restructuring, and handling matters involving regulatory authorities. Paula Warnock, who advises both trustees and corporate clients on matters such as scheme restructuring, scheme errors, and the protections available to trustees, is also a key practitioner.

A firm that is ‘professional, practical and provides an excellent service across a wide spectrum of pensions issues,' Pinsent Masons LLP in Manchester acts for large and complex pension schemes and financial institutions on matters such as restructurings, de-risking, and investment arrangement. The group is sought after for its expertise in pension buy-in and buy-out transactions, as well as for its specialist pensions litigation team. The ‘wise and experienced' practice head Stephen Scholefield advises a variety of clients on issues relating to defined benefit and defined contribution schemes, and has specialist knowledge in re-organisations, schemes in distress, and long-term strategic planning. Other key practitioners are Pippa Read, whose ‘knowledge of the schemes on which she advises is almost encyclopaedic’, specialist pensions litigator Hayley Goldstone, and Robert Tellwright, who specialises in buy-ins, buy-outs, and longevity hedging transactions. Tellwright is also an experienced risk transfer negotiator.

The ‘knowledgeable people’ at Weightmans LLP in Liverpool act for a broad range of pensions clients, including private sector employers, trustees, and pensions providers, as well as public sector clients in central and local government, emergency services, and education. Practice head Mark Poulston is ‘practical in his advice‘ and he acts for both private and public sector clients in the full array of pension issues, and he is also an expert in insurance with a particular emphasis on the use of insurance products in the context of pension schemes. The group also includes Philip Woolham, who advises on all areas of pension law but has a particular focus on public sector work, and Cat Ellis in Leeds, who advises on a broad range of pension arrangements.

Brabners LLP in Manchester has a ‘knowledgeable and pragmatic' pensions team with expertise that spans the full spectrum of public and private pensions law. The group frequently acts as legal adviser to pension trustee boards and it also advises trade union staff pension schemes. The ‘excellent' practice head Ian Mylrea assists with a broad range of pensions law issues, such as the creation of defined benefit schemes, buy-outs, and executive pension schemes, and he is also a sought after social housing expert. Another key practitioner is pensions expert Siu Yin Ho, who additionally has strong corporate and commercial capabilities.

CMS in Manchester has a pensions and pensions dispute resolution practice that is praised for its ‘depth, knowledge and experience‘. The group advises on the full spectrum of contentious and non-contentious pensions issues, and has particular expertise in high-value schemes, surplus issues, multi-employer industry wide schemes, and schemes with distressed employers. Described as ‘an excellent lawyer who understands client’s commercial needs and delivers pragmatic solutions’, Tim Green leads the group and is an expert in both contentious and advisory areas of pensions law.

The seasoned pensions group at Fieldfisher in Manchester advises a variety of clients on the full range of pensions issues, with expertise in matters such as pension-related tax regimes, employer debt legislation, trust law duties, and pension de-risking. The team is particularly sought after in the manufacturing, chemicals, energy, utilities, and higher education sectors. Leading the group is pensions expert Jeremy Harris, who advises trustees and sponsoring employers on a variety of issues relating to pension schemes, and he is also experienced in compliance matters such as equalisation. The group also includes Katie Whelan, who advises clients on the full spectrum of pension issues, and is also experienced in trust law duties and the pension elements of corporate transactions.

With the ability to ‘cut through complexity to deliver practical advice', Gateley Legal in Manchester advises pension schemes on every aspect of pensions law, and the group has particular expertise advising middle and smaller-sized schemes on transactions and the development of pensions bonds. Practice head Patrick Kennedy ‘combines intellect with street-savviness' and is experienced in the full spectrum of pensions issues, and Stuart Evans advises trustees and sponsoring employers of occupational pension schemes in all aspects of pensions law, including on GMP equalisation, scheme funding requirements, and pensions aspects of corporate transactions.

Squire Patton Boggs in Manchester is praised as ‘always pragmatic in its approach, friendly to work with and gives clear, unambiguous responses’. The group advises a broad range of clients across the full spectrum of pension issues, and boasts sector specific knowledge in regulated utilities, and particularly in relation to water, nuclear, and electricity sponsored schemes. Key lawyer Victoria Leigh leads the pensions disputes team and frequently advises on issues regarding regulatory matters, scheme funding, administration, and professional negligence. Matthew Giles leads the national pensions team. David Griffiths left the practice in September 2024.

Praised as ‘practical and commercial', Shoosmiths LLP in Manchester is experienced in the full spectrum of pension matters. The group advises employers, professional trustees of occupational pension schemes, and trustees of master trust arrangements on issues such as scheme mergers, buy-in and buyout projects, restructurings, and GMP equalisation. The group includes pensions expert Paul Carney, who has ‘a remarkable ability to communicate complex legal issues in a clear and concise manner to lay trustees', and Alexandra Ventham, who advises employers and trustees of occupational pension and life assurance schemes on the full spectrum of pensions law.

At TLT, the unique expertise displayed by the pensions team in self-invested personal pension schemes and small self-administered schemes makes it ‘a go-to for professional firms'. The group also has specialist knowledge of funded unapproved retirement benefits schemes, as well as being experienced in GMP conversions and equalisation projects. The group in Manchester includes Damien Garrould, who leads the North West pensions office and advises on all aspects of pension schemes with particular expertise in SIPPs and SSASs, and Tom Green, who advises on a wide range of pension law issues.