‘Pensions power-house‘ Wilberforce Chambers has a plethora of counsel at varying levels of experience to support clients on the most significant matters in the market, be they contentious or advisory. In the complex and high-value case of the Merchant Navy Ratings Pension Fund, Michael Tennet KC has been acting the representative beneficiaries in Part 8 proceedings, with other members of chambers involved in various capacities. Brian Green KC is a regular at the highest levels of court proceedings in pensions law, while Edward Sawyer continues to stand out for his exceptional practice as a junior, including acting against silk opposition in the Lloyds Pension Scheme litigation. ‘Very calm, authoritative‘ junior Jennifer Seaman further strengthened Wilberforce’s bench in this area, joining the set in February 2022 from Outer Temple Chambers.
Pensions in
London BarWilberforce Chambers
Testimonials
Set
‘Wilberforce Chambers continue to lead the market for top-quality contentious and non-contentious pensions counsel.’
‘The main pensions power-house is Wilberforce. Real strength in depth.’
‘The chambers are a professional, expert set.’
‘Wilberforce is the pre-eminent set for big-ticket pensions litigation work.’
‘Wilberforce are, of course, the pensions set par excellence. Exceptional bench strength.’
Clerking
‘The clerks’ room are uniformly excellent – adaptable and dedicated to a highly professional service which impresses both instructing solicitors and clients.’
‘Conor Michaels stands out for his commercial, straightforward and diplomatic approach on complex and sensitive matters.’
‘Excellent. They are responsive and fee proposals are always set out clearly and concisely.’
‘Excellent service. Nancy Lee is a pleasure to work with.’
‘All hugely competent and professional.’
Work highlights
Outer Temple Chambers
Outer Temple Chambers
has ‘built a very strong pensions practice in recent years‘ and members now act in a host of significant pensions cases. One such notable case, Britvic v Britvic Pensions & Mohun, saw Andrew Short KC acting for Britvic in a claim concerning the construction of an indexation provision; the resulting Court of Appeal decision is now one of the leading decisions on the proper approach to construction. Keith Bryant KC and Philip Stear both acted on the opposing side for the representative beneficiary, a sign of chambers’ strength in depth and capability to offer teams of counsel for matters at the highest level.
Testimonials
Set
‘Strength in depth for pensions litigation. One of the go-to sets.’
‘Very strong, pensions specialists at all levels of seniority.’
‘Seem to be going from strength to strength – great set.’
‘They have built a very strong pensions practice in recent years.’
‘Very strong in this area, one of the pre-eminent sets with barristers at all levels so there is always someone good available to take a job.’
Clerking
‘Good service – Nick Levett in particular is always helpful.’
‘The clerks were extremely responsive and helpful throughout the process.’
‘Excellent clerks’ room. Matt Sale is always very helpful and a pleasure to work with.’
‘Sam Carter especially is exceptional and supported well by the rest of the team.’
‘Responsive and helpful. Colin Bunyan in particular.’
Work highlights
Radcliffe Chambers
Radcliffe Chambers is ‘clearly first rate when it comes to pensions‘ and members are instructed on an array of contentious and advisory issues at the highest level. Recent highlights have included Mitchells & Butlers Pensions Ltd v Mitchells & Butlers Plc, where Keith Rowley KC led the Mitchell & Butlers’ defence of a complex, £150m claim by its pension trustee for rectification of the scheme’s trust deeds. Senior junior Elizabeth Ovey‘s general Chancery practice has significant focus on pensions law and she regularly appears at the Business and Property Courts, while Henry Day has acted in several recent pensions matters at the High Court.
Testimonials
Set
‘Radcliffe Chambers is one of the leading chambers for pensions litigation. They have offered excellent and practical training relating to pensions litigation.’
‘Really strong pensions set.’
‘Radcliffe is clearly first rate when it comes to pensions.’
Clerking
‘Keith Nagle has always been incredibly helpful and responsive to any requests or queries.’
‘The clerks are incredibly helpful – particularly John Clark.’
‘I have always found Keith Nagle to be helpful and responsive.’
‘The clerks are highly responsive, extremely user-friendly and transparent. Keith Nagle in particular has been of great assistance.’
‘Great service. Vince Carter has been very helpful.’
Wilberforce Chambers
Testimonials
Set
‘Wilberforce Chambers continue to lead the market for top-quality contentious and non-contentious pensions counsel.’
‘The main pensions power-house is Wilberforce. Real strength in depth.’
‘The chambers are a professional, expert set.’
‘Wilberforce is the pre-eminent set for big-ticket pensions litigation work.’
‘Wilberforce are, of course, the pensions set par excellence. Exceptional bench strength.’
Clerking
‘The clerks’ room are uniformly excellent – adaptable and dedicated to a highly professional service which impresses both instructing solicitors and clients.’
‘Conor Michaels stands out for his commercial, straightforward and diplomatic approach on complex and sensitive matters.’
‘Excellent. They are responsive and fee proposals are always set out clearly and concisely.’
‘Excellent service. Nancy Lee is a pleasure to work with.’
‘All hugely competent and professional.’
Work highlights
Outer Temple Chambers
Outer Temple Chambers
has ‘built a very strong pensions practice in recent years‘ and members now act in a host of significant pensions cases. One such notable case, Britvic v Britvic Pensions & Mohun, saw Andrew Short KC acting for Britvic in a claim concerning the construction of an indexation provision; the resulting Court of Appeal decision is now one of the leading decisions on the proper approach to construction. Keith Bryant KC and Philip Stear both acted on the opposing side for the representative beneficiary, a sign of chambers’ strength in depth and capability to offer teams of counsel for matters at the highest level.
Testimonials
Set
‘Strength in depth for pensions litigation. One of the go-to sets.’
‘Very strong, pensions specialists at all levels of seniority.’
‘Seem to be going from strength to strength – great set.’
‘They have built a very strong pensions practice in recent years.’
‘Very strong in this area, one of the pre-eminent sets with barristers at all levels so there is always someone good available to take a job.’
Clerking
‘Good service – Nick Levett in particular is always helpful.’
‘The clerks were extremely responsive and helpful throughout the process.’
‘Excellent clerks’ room. Matt Sale is always very helpful and a pleasure to work with.’
‘Sam Carter especially is exceptional and supported well by the rest of the team.’
‘Responsive and helpful. Colin Bunyan in particular.’
Work highlights
Radcliffe Chambers
Radcliffe Chambers is ‘clearly first rate when it comes to pensions‘ and members are instructed on an array of contentious and advisory issues at the highest level. Recent highlights have included Mitchells & Butlers Pensions Ltd v Mitchells & Butlers Plc, where Keith Rowley KC led the Mitchell & Butlers’ defence of a complex, £150m claim by its pension trustee for rectification of the scheme’s trust deeds. Senior junior Elizabeth Ovey‘s general Chancery practice has significant focus on pensions law and she regularly appears at the Business and Property Courts, while Henry Day has acted in several recent pensions matters at the High Court.
Testimonials
Set
‘Radcliffe Chambers is one of the leading chambers for pensions litigation. They have offered excellent and practical training relating to pensions litigation.’
‘Really strong pensions set.’
‘Radcliffe is clearly first rate when it comes to pensions.’
Clerking
‘Keith Nagle has always been incredibly helpful and responsive to any requests or queries.’
‘The clerks are incredibly helpful – particularly John Clark.’
‘I have always found Keith Nagle to be helpful and responsive.’
‘The clerks are highly responsive, extremely user-friendly and transparent. Keith Nagle in particular has been of great assistance.’
‘Great service. Vince Carter has been very helpful.’