Wilberforce Chambers is commended by clients for its ‘unrivalled strength in depth‘ in pensions, and in particular for the set’s expertise on ‘the most complex and challenging‘ cases. In the case of Railways Pension Scheme Trustee Ltd v Atos, a matter concerning the correct calculation of how much members should pay into “shared cost” defined benefit schemes, Brian Green KC and Edward Sawyer acted on behalf of the trustees. Paul Newman KC is representing Newell Rubbermaid in a dispute over its conversion of defined benefit rights into define contribution scheme, with issues as to if the conversion is discriminatory on the grounds of sex.
Pensions in
London Bar
Wilberforce Chambers
Testimonials
‘The clerking at Wilberforce is, simply stated, second to none. Danny Smillie and Fraser Geddes deserve special mention. They understand their solicitor-clients’ needs. This is a real selling point.’
‘Across the board, the clerks are very responsive and nothing is too much trouble. Conor Michaels, in particular, stands out for his professional yet personable manner. He’s always got everything covered.’
‘The clerks are first class. Fraser Geddes is a shining light of client service, listening to and acting upon any particular clients needs and understanding the need to work closely with instructing solicitor to deliver the best possible service.’
‘The clerks are always easy to contact and deal with any administrative issues in a very efficient and friendly manner.’
‘This set is a market leader.’
‘Wilberforce have an outstanding roster of barristers for pensions. The quality is high and they will always find availability when required.’
‘Wilberforce continue to be a leading set for pensions.’
‘A broad team of impressive and talented individuals at all levels, with deep expertise in the sector, outstanding technical skill and great commercial insight.’
Work highlights
Outer Temple Chambers
Outer Temple Chambers’ expansive roster of counsel is experienced in dealing with a variety of matters, such as age discrimination within pension schemes, pensions-related professional negligence claims, and Part 8 proceedings. Andrew Short KC acted in the notable and leading Britvic v Britvic Pensions & Mohun case, which involved the construction of an indexation provision. Other key work includes the joint effort of Andrew Spink KC and Philip Stear in the Atos UK IT Ltd & Ors v Atos Pension Schemes Ltd case, in which the interpretation of the funding rule of the pensions scheme was in question.
Testimonials
‘The clerks at Outer Temple are helpful and easy to contact. Nick Levett and Matt Sale deserve mention as they are always prepared to go the extra step to assist.’
‘Excellent service from all clerks. Nick Levett in particular is incredibly responsive and always puts forward an appropriate selection of counsel to consider for any particular job.’
‘Matt Sale is a particularly good clerk – always prompt to reply to queries, very happy to pick up the phone to discuss queries/ availability and always helpful/ friendly.’
‘Very good, experienced clerks who are always keen to help and are good at finding a way to accommodate requests for particular counsel.’
‘They have impressive and increasing strength-in-depth in the filed of pensions litigation.’
‘Outer Temple Chambers has always been a strong set for pensions, but has arguably become even stronger in recent times. It has strength in depth, particularly at the KC level.’
‘They have increasing strength in depth for commercial litigation and professional negligence claims with a pensions or chancery angle.’
‘We continually use the set for their deep experience in all areas of pensions law and strong advocacy skills.’
Work highlights
Radcliffe Chambers
Radcliffe Chambers is described as containing ‘top notch pensions counsel‘, which includes experienced members such as Keith Rowley KC and juniors Elizabeth Ovey, Henry Day, and Wendy Mathers. The ‘strong‘ pensions experience was demonstrated in cases such as Toyota Material Handling UK Limited v Mercer Limited, in which potential professional negligence questions were raised against former benefit consultants, and CMG Pension Trustees Ltd v CGI IT UK Ltd, in which trustees sought clarification on the scheme’s forfeiture provisions and its impact on unclaimed benefits.
Testimonials
‘The clerks are always very helpful.’
‘The clerks have always been extremely helpful and responsive.’
‘Clerks were responsive and easy to reach.’
‘Radcliffe are obviously an excellent pensions set – they are very good at finding academically rigorous, enthusiastic, personable barristers.’
‘Radcliffe clearly has real strength in this area, and they work well as a team.’
‘Strong pensions practice.’
Work highlights
Wilberforce Chambers
Testimonials
‘The clerking at Wilberforce is, simply stated, second to none. Danny Smillie and Fraser Geddes deserve special mention. They understand their solicitor-clients’ needs. This is a real selling point.’
‘Across the board, the clerks are very responsive and nothing is too much trouble. Conor Michaels, in particular, stands out for his professional yet personable manner. He’s always got everything covered.’
‘The clerks are first class. Fraser Geddes is a shining light of client service, listening to and acting upon any particular clients needs and understanding the need to work closely with instructing solicitor to deliver the best possible service.’
‘The clerks are always easy to contact and deal with any administrative issues in a very efficient and friendly manner.’
‘This set is a market leader.’
‘Wilberforce have an outstanding roster of barristers for pensions. The quality is high and they will always find availability when required.’
‘Wilberforce continue to be a leading set for pensions.’
‘A broad team of impressive and talented individuals at all levels, with deep expertise in the sector, outstanding technical skill and great commercial insight.’
Work highlights
Outer Temple Chambers
Outer Temple Chambers’ expansive roster of counsel is experienced in dealing with a variety of matters, such as age discrimination within pension schemes, pensions-related professional negligence claims, and Part 8 proceedings. Andrew Short KC acted in the notable and leading Britvic v Britvic Pensions & Mohun case, which involved the construction of an indexation provision. Other key work includes the joint effort of Andrew Spink KC and Philip Stear in the Atos UK IT Ltd & Ors v Atos Pension Schemes Ltd case, in which the interpretation of the funding rule of the pensions scheme was in question.
Testimonials
‘The clerks at Outer Temple are helpful and easy to contact. Nick Levett and Matt Sale deserve mention as they are always prepared to go the extra step to assist.’
‘Excellent service from all clerks. Nick Levett in particular is incredibly responsive and always puts forward an appropriate selection of counsel to consider for any particular job.’
‘Matt Sale is a particularly good clerk – always prompt to reply to queries, very happy to pick up the phone to discuss queries/ availability and always helpful/ friendly.’
‘Very good, experienced clerks who are always keen to help and are good at finding a way to accommodate requests for particular counsel.’
‘They have impressive and increasing strength-in-depth in the filed of pensions litigation.’
‘Outer Temple Chambers has always been a strong set for pensions, but has arguably become even stronger in recent times. It has strength in depth, particularly at the KC level.’
‘They have increasing strength in depth for commercial litigation and professional negligence claims with a pensions or chancery angle.’
‘We continually use the set for their deep experience in all areas of pensions law and strong advocacy skills.’
Work highlights
Radcliffe Chambers
Radcliffe Chambers is described as containing ‘top notch pensions counsel‘, which includes experienced members such as Keith Rowley KC and juniors Elizabeth Ovey, Henry Day, and Wendy Mathers. The ‘strong‘ pensions experience was demonstrated in cases such as Toyota Material Handling UK Limited v Mercer Limited, in which potential professional negligence questions were raised against former benefit consultants, and CMG Pension Trustees Ltd v CGI IT UK Ltd, in which trustees sought clarification on the scheme’s forfeiture provisions and its impact on unclaimed benefits.
Testimonials
‘The clerks are always very helpful.’
‘The clerks have always been extremely helpful and responsive.’
‘Clerks were responsive and easy to reach.’
‘Radcliffe are obviously an excellent pensions set – they are very good at finding academically rigorous, enthusiastic, personable barristers.’
‘Radcliffe clearly has real strength in this area, and they work well as a team.’
‘Strong pensions practice.’