Mr Chris Edwards-Earl > Stephenson Harwood > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Stephenson Harwood
1 FINSBURY CIRCUS
LONDON
EC2M 7SH
England

Work Department

Employment, pensions, private wealth, immigration, contentious trusts and corporate tax

Position

Chris specialises in helping clients to resolve complex contentious issues concerning pension schemes, trust funds, and with their advisors.

He has considerable experience acting for trustees and employers, parties acting in an interest-based or representative capacity, and for clients pursuing or defending high-value professional negligence actions.

Chris has advised clients extensively on a range of matters concerning: the funding of pension schemes; the Pension Regulator’s moral hazard regime; the construction and rectification of trust documents; pension claims in insolvency; cross-border disputes arising out of trusts; and, breach of contract and professional negligence claims.

He is experienced in submissions to the High Court and Court of Appeal dealing with the construction of pensions legislation and documentation, as well as working with clients to resolve their disputes through mediation.

Chris has particular experience working with clients who have a global presence and international concerns, particularly Canada and the US.

Chris is a qualified solicitor-advocate, having attained his Higher Rights of Audience. Chris was elected to the Education & Seminars Committee of the Association of Pension Lawyers in 2020. Chris has been recognised as a Next Generation Partner in The Legal 500 UK 2022.

Lawyer Rankings

London > Employment > Pensions: dispute resolution

(Next Generation Partners)

Chris Edwards-EarlStephenson Harwood

With ‘extensive experience of the process and a unique capability to determine the most commercial approach’, Stephenson Harwood‘s team regularly acts in high-profile professional negligence claims and complex regulatory disputes, including FCA and TPR investigations, both of which are cornerstones of the practice. The group regularly collaborates with the firm’s private wealth, contentious trusts, pensions advisory, and regulatory teams. Described by clients as a ‘tactical genius’, Helena Berman leads the practice and has substantial experience acting on complex pensions and trust disputes concerning the law of limitation, construction of trust documents, and defending trustees in professional negligence cases. Jenny McKeown has ‘a great eye for litigation advantage’ and is adept at advising insurers and UK law firms on professional negligence claims. Chris Edwards-Earl is a ‘very personable and effective litigator’, while Maria Chami is another name to note.