The Legal 500 > United Kingdom - Solicitors > South East > Pensions

The 'prompt and efficient' team at BDB Pitmans advises trustees on a range of issues including Guaranteed Minimum Pension equalisation, assistance with member complaints (including Ombudsman proceedings) and the corporate restructuring of the sponsoring employer. A recent focus has been working with a number of independent schools in relation to the increasing cost of participating in the Teachers’ Pension Scheme. Practice head David Hosford has 'vast knowledge in his field' and advises on all non-contentious pensions issues, predominantly for scheme trustees.  

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP's 'pleasant, approachable, informative and friendly' team provides full transactional support to clients from the private wealth, not for profit, public services and education sectors. The firm also handles work for individuals, principally involving pension disputes with their schemes or employers. Maria Riccio  leads the team and is 'knowledgeable and approachable' in advising on defined benefit schemes and contentious pension-related work. Clare Coley specialises in defined contribution and auto-enrolment issues, while Verity Cruse works on documentation  for Pension Protection Fund guarantees and buy ins.

With three offices across the South East, Shoosmiths LLP advises on GMP equalisation, buy-outs and buy-ins, funding management, scheme mergers and asset backed funding arrangements. Manufacturing, financial services, not for profit and technology are sectors of particular specialism. Heather Chandler is 'extremely knowledgeable on all pension matters' and has a portfolio that covers pension assets in excess of a billion pounds. Tracey Hemingway leads the Solent Practice and acts for both trustee and employer clients on all aspects of pensions law. Suzanne Burrell and Kunjan Sembhi are also recommended.

Blake Morgan LLP's advisory practice services both employers and trustees on schemes of various sizes. On the disputes side, recent work includes professional negligence claims through errors in scheme documentation and Local Government Pension Scheme issues. Ron Burgess splits his time across multiple UK offices and has provided advice on various high-profile transactions and pension scheme restructuring projects. Rupert Graham-Evans advises on legal compliance, benefit changes , mergers and security arrangements. Former practice head John Hamilton  departed the firm in 2020 to take up a role at the Government Legal Service.

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP provides transactional support to major global and UK based corporates, privately owned companies, not for profit businesses and their pension scheme trustees. Esther White is the key practitioner in the South East; she is a specialist in advising on pension issues arising from corporate restructurings, mergers and acquisitions and auto-enrolment. Nick Hurley leads the employment, pensions and immigration group across the firm, and practices in contentious and non-contentious matters.

Stevens & Bolton LLP offers transactional support to potential commercial buyers on the acquisition of pensions duties and legacy pension schemes, as well as advising both employers and trustees on defined benefit pension schemes. Gabrielle Holgate is an 'efficient and proactive legal professional' and leads the team. She has recently expanded her practice to include assisting other law firms with support on corporate transactions. James Lister has substantial experience in advising pension scheme trustees and employers regarding their position in contentious matters.