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  1. Pensions (non-contentious)
  2. Pensions (non-contentious)
  3. Pensions dispute resolution
  4. Leading individuals

The pensions team at Allen & Overy LLP, led by the ‘exceptionally client-focused’ Maria Stimpson, provides ‘responses that are very quick, as and when required’. Highlights included advising the trustees of the Burmah Castrol Pension Fund in relation to the merger of the fund into the BP Pension Fund. Other clients include Cable & Wireless, HBOS trustees and Lloyds Banking Group trustees, ICI Pension Fund trustees, Pfizer trustees, and Schroders trustees. Recent high-profile successes in contentious matters include acting for UBS and Prudential. Däna Burstow gives ‘clear, practical advice’; and Neil Bowden’s ‘advice has proven accurate and watertight in some crucial decision-making’. The investment funds expertise of Pavel Shevtsov and Paul Phillips, and the litigation know-how of Jonathan Hitchin and Joanna Page, augment a first-class practice that also benefits from the vast experience of consultants Mervyn Parry, Jonathan Goodwin and Derek Sloan. ‘Fees are given in advance, accurate and good value for money.’

The ‘outstanding’ team at CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is ‘a really class act’. ‘Between them it has everything: powerful and focused litigators, real technical knowledge, and great commercial instincts.’ The group recently completed a pensions structuring on behalf of Coca-Cola, and advised Black & Decker trustees on the negotiation of a parent company guarantee for the whole of the scheme’s liabilities. In disputes, the group acted for the successful claimants in ITS v Knell, the PNPF (Pilots) litigation and the MNRPF (Merchant Navy) litigation. The eight-partner team is led by ‘great businessman’ Nigel Moore, and includes Mark Atkinson, who ‘combines a powerful intellect, litigation nous and excellent client skills’; Mark Grant, who ‘fizzes with ideas and is excellent to work with in litigation situations’; Neil Smith, who is ‘a joy to work with, combining an easy style with tactical awareness and real fight when litigating’; and Keith Webster, who is ‘strategically fantastic and shows great judgement’.

Hogan Lovells International LLP is ‘used to dealing with the very biggest and most complex cases – nothing will rattle them’. Recent non-contentious highlights include advising Kingfisher plc and the trustee of the NAAFI Pension Fund. High-profile litigation instructions included acting in Pilots; acting for the trustee of BT Pensions Scheme; and assisting the trustee of the Nortel Networks UK Pension Scheme and the Board of the Pension Protection Fund. ‘Very able lawyer’ Jane Samsworth heads up the non-contentious group, which includes Katie Banks, who ‘takes time to understand the client’s business needs’; Stephen Ito, who has a ‘calm, analytical approach’; Duncan Buchanan, who has ‘a strong grasp of the technical issues’; and Claire Southern, who is ‘thorough, practical and pleasant’. In disputes, group head Angela Dimsdale Gill’s ‘knowledge of the pensions industry is probably unparalleled amongst pensions litigators’; and Nicholas Heaton is ‘strategically and tactically acute’.

Linklaters LLP is ‘extremely responsive and proactive in its work, both intellectually and as a matter of implementation of strategy’. Ruth Goldman’s team includes Isabel France, who is ‘not just technically good from a pension point of view, but also has a wider understanding of business requirements and takes a pragmatic view of situations’; Tim Cox; Claire Petheram; and Rosalind Knowles. Disputes expert and ‘excellent thought leader’ Mark Blyth is ‘thoroughly engaged, and shows very good situational judgement and substantive depth’. The group is ‘very responsive, and advice is direct and thorough without being over officious’. The firm is currently advising Diageo Pension Trust Limited on a funding solution involving establishing a pension funding partnership holding whisky spirit assets, and the Trustees of Pearson on the merger of two defined benefit sections of the Pearson Group Pension Plan. In disputes, the group continues to represent the Pilots National Pension Fund.

Sacker & Partners LLP stands out for its ‘willingness to be proactive’. It is advising Northern Rock on its resale, and Nestlé UK on changes to its pensions arrangements. It has also recently advised on litigation involving the Prudential Pension Scheme; and assisted the Port of London Authority in the Pilots litigation. Senior partner Ian Pittaway is ‘particularly good for strategic advice’; and head of the dispute resolution practice Katherine Dandy’s ‘strengths include thoroughness, competence and strong empathy with the client’. Fiona Franklin is an ‘excellent communicator of complex issues’; Robin Simmons is ‘particularly good when a tenacious approach is required’; and Paul Phillips’s ‘advice and work ethic on major contracts is second to none’. David Saunders ‘gives legally sound advice combined with common sense’. Also recommended are Chris Close, Edward Hayes, Peter Murphy, Helen Baker, and Mark Greenlees. Jonathan Seres has retired.

Baker & McKenzie LLP has a team of ‘good project managers who look for solutions rather than problems’. The firm recently advised the trustee of the Merchant Navy Officers Pension Fund, Alliance Boots, and CSC Computer Sciences Ltd on pensions matters, and represented plan members in the case of IMG v German. Practice head Robert West has ‘an encyclopaedic knowledge of the pension industry’, and is ‘technically very sound, but applies knowledge commercially’. Jeanette Holland and Arron Slocombe are ‘both very personable and easy to deal with, while clearly having strong technical knowledge’; and Chantal Thompson has ‘deep, sound knowledge of pensions legislation’.

Nicholas Sherwin’s group at Clifford Chance includes some of ‘the best pensions lawyers in the industry. They respond in a split second, know it all inside out, and are expensive by the hour but affordable in value terms’. Active clients include Barclays, Melrose, Siemens, Shell and Citigroup. Clare Hoxey is ‘an excellent listener responding to any concerns or challenges in a measured way’, and Hywel Robinson is ‘top of his class’. Head of the pensions litigation practice Imogen Clark is ‘very responsive, and has excellent technical depth’.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP has recently advised Goldman Sachs on its pensions de-risking strategy, and assisted the UK government on the proposed private sector investment in Royal Mail and the consequent transfer of over £30bn pensions liabilities to the government. David Pollard has ‘a complete grasp of the complex regulatory framework underpinning UK pension provision, and the ability to translate said complexities to clients in a clear, authoritative but nevertheless pragmatic manner’. The ‘excellent’ Charles Magoffin is also recommended. Dawn Heath, who was promoted to counsel in 2010, ‘presents very complex issues clearly and calmly’.

Ian Gault’s pensions group at Herbert Smith LLP is ‘commercial, responsive and knowledgeable’, and has ‘very good strength in depth’. The firm recently advised on EDF’s sale of its UK distribution network, and on the global insolvency of Nortel. Other high-profile clients include the Railways Pensions Scheme, the Electricity Supply Pensions Scheme, and The Law Society. Dan Schaffer has ‘commercial acumen’ and is ‘a good communicator of technical issues’; and Roderick Morton ‘provides astute commercial thinking in clear support of business objectives’. Alison Brown is also recommended, and Paul Lewis is recognised for his growing pensions litigation practice.

Mayer Brown International LLP is ‘able to recruit exceptional individuals and tailor their service to suit the client’. Its clients include EDF Energy Group, Littlewoods, Merchant Navy Ratings Pension Fund and Prudential Staff Pensions Limited. Practice head Anna Rogers ‘provides authoritative, considered and pragmatic guidance’; Ian Wright is ‘good at problem solving’; and Martin Scott is a ‘good communicator’. Pensions litigation head Philippa James’ ‘cheerful character conceals a resolute determination to ensure that the best interests of her clients are being served’; and Stuart Pickford has ‘a thorough understanding of pensions law and practice’.

Slaughter And May rises in the non-contentious ranking this year, with a team of lawyers who are ‘sensitive to the practical needs of solutions, and use language which is very easy to understand, clear and concise without being patronising at all. They clearly know their trade’. Clients include Royal Mail, Uniq plc, Mercer and SEB. Jonathan Fenn is ‘an excellent communicator’; Charles Cameron has ‘long experience and provides excellent advice’; and Philip Bennett is ‘a good advocate on behalf of the trustee board in negotiations’. ‘Excellent pensions lawyer’ Roland Doughty combines ‘intellect, communication skills and stamina’. Sandeep Maudgil commands great respect among peers, and Eddie Codrington is also recommended. The ‘methodical’ Richard Clark heads the contentious side of the practice.

Travers Smith LLP recently advised on changes to the Dow and Gatwick Airport pension structures. Paul Stannard is ‘a very commercially sensitive lawyer, who is able to see the big picture and come up with solutions while staying cognisant of the complexities of the problem’; Peter Esam is ‘particularly good at dealing with trustee boards’; and Philip Stear is ‘always prepared to go the extra mile for you’. Andrew Block has ‘excellent knowledge that enables robust solutions in very quick timescales’. Jonathan Leslie’s pensions litigation group advised the trustees of the Lehman Brothers’ Pension Scheme, and continues to act for Stena Line Limited in relation to the Merchant Navy case.

Wragge & Co LLP rises a tier in the non-contentious ranking, and is noted for its ‘focus on delivering pragmatic and cost-effective advice that is solution focused’. Clients include Philips Pension Fund, Mitchells & Butlers Pension Plans, AMEC Pension Plan and ICL Group Pension Plan, and also corporates such as United Biscuits (UK) Limited, Premier Foods, GKN and Interserve plc. Recommended partners include Glyn Ryland, Jason Coates and pensions litigator Peter Shave. Richard Black and Paul Feathers ‘treat the client’s scheme issues as personal, and work hard to create relationships with trustees and other advisers’.

Eversheds LLP joins the top tier for pensions disputes this year. Pensions litigator Giles Orton is ‘very inventive’, and his team has been busy advising Port of Tyne Authority in Pilots, and John Masteron in Nortel. On the non-contentious side, Jay Doraisamy ‘approaches the issues with intelligence and sensitivity’; Anthony Arter is ‘keen to find positive solutions for all parties’; and Jeremy Goodwin ‘effectively combines a detailed understanding of the law and his clients ’ business interests’. Harold Lewis is now a consultant at the firm.

Macfarlanes LLP ‘responds promptly to any queries and stands up for the interests of its clients’. The firm recently advised on the funding of the £950m EMI Group pension fund; assisted Pernod Ricard on the successful conclusion of funding negotiations in relation to the Allied Domecq Pension Fund; and acted for IMG in successful Court of Appeal proceedings. Head of the pensions group Hugh Arthur has an enviable market reputation, as does Jane Marshall. Camilla Barry is also held in high esteem.

Nabarro LLP rises a tier in the non-contentious ranking this year. Clients include IBM UK Pensions Trust, Arcadia Group, and the Legal Services Commission Pension Scheme, and it advised the Shoreham Port Authority in Pilots. Jennifer Bell ‘delivers well-thought-through, clear, practical advice and doesn’t sit on the fence’. Also of note, Kate Richards is ‘very thorough and receptive to suggestions to adapt service delivery to suit the client’s needs’. Disputes specialist Jonathan Warne is ‘very experienced, and entirely on top of his subject’.

Peter Ford’s pensions group at Norton Rose LLP also rises a tier this year; it is ‘responsive and expert in this complex area’. Work highlights included advising Axa on the sale of the majority of its UK life business to Resolution, and acting for the Cheviot Trust in contentious matters. Lesley Browning’s ‘strength is her ability to communicate with those for whom pensions is an alien topic, but she also has a depth of technical knowledge which allows her to interact with other professionals’.

Representative clients of Pinsent Masons LLP include Nortel, Mercer and the trustees of Heinz and the Ericsson pension schemes. National head of pensions Alastair Meeks is ‘a high-profile individual in the pensions world’; Christopher Berkeley ‘provides quality advice in a commercial and timely manner’; Iona Whitaker is able to ‘explain complex legal issues’; and Matthew De Ferrars has ‘excellent client skills and is a strong communicator of technical detail’. Carolyn Saunders is ‘knowledgeable, responsive and thorough, and has a sense of humour’; and Isabel Nurse-Marsh is ‘tough and knowledgeable but user friendly’. Raj Sharma is also recommended.

Simmons & Simmons provides ‘technical expertise of the highest quality’. The group is currently advising on the UK pensions issues on BASF’s €3.1bn acquisition of Cognis. Michael Wyman has ‘a real eye for detail and an ability to interpret and “read between the lines”, which ensures his advice addresses issues both on and below the surface’; and Monica Ma ‘stands shoulders above her competitors’. Ian Hammond and Caroline Hunter-Yeats deal with contentious matters, and have specialist expertise in actuarial negligence cases.

Squire Sanders Hammonds climbs a tier in non-contentious this year. It continues to advise the Trustees of the Sea Containers 1990 Pensions Scheme, and recently advised the Trustees of the Alliance UniChem Scheme in its buy-in/buy-out transaction with Pensions Insurance Corporation. Simon Price ‘combines intellect, business acumen and good humour’; and Clifford Sims’ ‘leadership and ability to cover all the aspects of often complex negotiations and tight deadlines is exemplary’. Wendy Hunter heads the practice; national head of pensions disputes Emma King, based in Birmingham, has a ‘highly professional and caring attitude’; and Kris Weber is also recommended.

Addleshaw Goddard LLP has a specialist, national SIPPs and pensions product practice, and advises corporate and public sector clients as well as trustees. Recent transactional work includes advising new clients Wolseley, Barclays and the AA. Catherine McAllister, who recently completed a six-month secondment at Barclays, leads the pensions group, which includes Rachel Rawnsley, Jade Murray and litigator Susan Garrett.

The ‘excellent’ Steven Hull, valued for his ‘industry knowledge and business acumen’, heads the ‘knowledgeable and commercial’ team at Ashurst LLP, which rises a tier in the non-contentious ranking this year. Although small, the group handles complex and high-profile work, including recently advising the US Unsecured Creditors Committee of Nortel US, and the lenders to Readers Digest. Angela Pearson handles pensions litigation at the firm.

Burges Salmon LLP acts for the Trustees of the Westland Pension Scheme, Misys plc, Honda and Chanel, among others. Richard Knight’s group includes Clive Pugh, who is an ‘expert on regulatory issues, provides strategic insights, and is pragmatic’; and Justin Briggs, who ‘takes a sensible, practical approach, is knowledgeable, and is great to have on your side’. Tim Illston is also recommended. The team rises in the ranking this year.

DLA Piper UK LLP’s clients include National Grid Electricity Group of the Electricity Supply Pension Scheme, and the Allied Domecq Pension Fund. ‘Outstanding partner’ Michael Cowley ‘does not sit on the fence’; and Tamara Calvert is ‘one of the most approachable and balanced lawyers you could hope to meet. Couple that with sound practical knowledge, common sense and pragmatism and you have an unbeatable package’. Matthew Swynnerton is also recommended.

Jones Day has seen an increase in work across scheme closures, bulk transfers and scheme mergers, and acts for high-calibre clients such as Hanson Limited, The Church Army Pension Scheme and Scotts Miracle-Gro. Head of department Rosalind Connor and Stephen Brown are recommended, and of counsel John Papadakis also has significant expertise in the area.

At Lawrence Graham LLP, Robert Smith ‘speaks authoritatively and provides pragmatic advice’; Ron Burgess is ‘hugely knowledgeable and poised, and is excellent at playing different parties off against each other while calmly steering a case to victory’; and Adam Bushby is ‘able to understand the issues in an instant’. Clients include Société Générale and Portsmouth Water. Up a tier in the dispute resolution table this year, the firm represented Bristol Port in the Pilots litigation.

Reed Smith ‘impresses with a tangible personal commitment which transcends normal commercial commitment’. Clients include the Civil Aviation Authority Pension Scheme, Pearl Group Staff Pension Scheme, and Skanska. Practice head Simon Hartley is ‘pragmatic, with an incisive mind’; and Justine Senior is ‘an exceptionally gifted lawyer’. Keith Wallace is also highly regarded. Nicholas Donnithorne left the firm in 2011 to join Babbé in Guernsey.

At Speechly Bircham LLP, Penny Cogher has ‘undoubted acumen and industry knowledge’; and Jane Wolstenholme has a ‘very good technical grasp of all the issues and provides good, solid, practical advice’. The group as a whole is ‘strong, and a pleasure to work with. The advice given is always appropriate for the context, and the team has a genuine regard for value for money’.

Recent new client wins for Stephenson Harwood include Norfolk Lines, Metallgesellschaft, Conrad Ritblatt, and The Church Mission Society. Mark Catchpole has ‘excellent commercial instincts and is a pleasure to work with’, and is ‘very reasonable and measured’; and Philip Goodchild is ‘responsive, available and approachable’. Sue Millar, who heads the firm’s financial litigation group, has considerable pensions dispute resolution experience.

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP assisted on Rothesay Life’s completion of a full risk transfer with its client Radius Systems. Other clients include Molson Coors Brewing Company, and the Trustees of the Sira Pension Scheme. ‘Outstanding pensions lawyer’ Norman Russell and David Dennison are recommended.

Martin Poore heads the pensions group at Dickinson Dees LLP. Suzanne Duff has regulatory expertise and works closely with the firm’s corporate recovery team on PPF matters. Alex Rodger and pensions disputes specialist Craig Monty are also recommended. The firm enters the pensions disputes ranking this year.

At Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP, practice head David Gallagher and Michael Calvert handle non-contentious mattters. The ‘quite exceptional’ Simon Moore is a commercial litigator with a growing pensions disputes practice, and the firm rise a tier in the contentious ranking this year.

K&L Gates attracted new clients such as RBC cees and Fitch Ratings in 2010. Danny Tsang is praised for his ‘exceptional responsiveness, and ability to translate complex pension law into business speak to help the client make commercial decisions’. Pensions litigator Anne McCarthy is also recommended.

Osborne Clarke rises a tier this year in the non-contentious table, and also enters the disputes table. Recent work includes advising Imperial Tobacco Pension Fund in relation to a £125m investment into a fund of hedge funds focusing on investment in commodities and commodity-related strategies. Jonathan Hazlett is ‘very bright and a first-class communicator’; and Paul Matthews is ‘very approachable and easy to understand even on complex matters’.

Reynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP’s clients include HDI Gerling UK Limited, SCA Group, Veolia Environmental Services, and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers. Charles Suchett-Kaye is ‘very knowledgeable and commercially minded’; and Philippa Connaughton is ‘very good technically, but also practical and commercial’.

At SJ Berwin LLP, practice head Wyn Derbyshire is recommended for his ‘fantastic technical knowledge and formidable intellect, combined with a feet-on-the ground, pragmatic and client-friendly approach’. New client wins include Premium Aircraft Interiors, Boporan Holdings, and Crest Nicholson Pension Scheme.

SNR Denton recently advised Lehman Bros, defending 32 companies in the Lehman Brothers Group against financial support direction proceedings brought by the Pensions Regulator. Elmer Doonan provides ‘strong, consistent advice’; Andrew Patten is ‘extremely knowledgeable and very helpful’; and Alan Jarvis has ‘good knowledge of UK pensions law and practice’.

At Taylor Wessing LLP, Mark Smith is noted for ‘the superb depth and breadth of his technical knowledge’; he has ‘a very analytical mind, and often sees creative solutions to problems, both of which are very useful for dealing with knotty pensions issues’. The firm recently acted for three companies in the Lehman Brothers Group, successfully defending them against financial support directions that the Pensions Regulator was seeking to impose.

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP recently advised the Trustees of the Pall (UK) Pension Fund on an index-based longevity swap. ‘Outstanding’ lawyer Mark Howard ‘combines both technical and communication skills’.

At Beachcroft, Neil Bhan is ‘measured and considered’, and consistently provides ‘good advice’. His team is currently advising on the winding up of the SEDA Plc pension scheme.

Charles Russell LLP’s clients include the government of the Bahamas. Caoimhe O’Neill is noted for her ‘knowledge, energy, and responsiveness, and is very practical. She has the ability to quickly understand the issues’. Newly promoted partner Michael Jones ‘provides clear and well-reasoned advice’.

Anne Taylor’s pensions group at Irwin Mitchell LLP recently advised Liverpool Victoria on its retirement solutions business.

At Latham & Watkins LLP, Stephen Brown is the contact for pensions advice. He leads the firm’s employment and benefits practice in London.

David Farmer’s pensions team at Olswang recently advised the BBC in relation to its programme of pensions reform. Andrew Campbell is also recommended.

At Trowers & Hamlins LLP, ‘customer care is excellent, knowledge levels are strong, and advice is very sound’. Clients include Essex County Council and The Trustees of the Anglo American Steel Fabricators Pension Scheme. Diane Preston and Martin McFall are recommended.

Wedlake Bell LLP advises clients such as the Dairy Crest Group Pension Fund, Kawasaki Pension Scheme and the Natixis Pension Schemes. Clive Weber has ‘excellent technical knowledge and experience’.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges’ pensions practitioners are ‘well versed in their practice area’. Clients include Shop Direct, GE and Advent International. Joanne Etherton is ‘very knowledgeable, responsive, and prepared to go the extra mile’.

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