With an exclusive focus on contentious pensions matters, Sacker & Partners LLP advises trustees, employers, and pension scheme providers across the full spectrum of disputes. The practice handles a range of mandates, from member complaints and advisor disputes to complex High Court litigation, regulatory investigations, and data-related issues. Its specialist focus and extensive experience in pension litigation allow the group to navigate and prevent disputes from escalating. At the helm of the department, Peter Murphy covers the whole range of pensions litigation, including High Court applications, Pensions Ombudsman complaints, and regulatory proceedings. James Bingham and Amy Difford have combined expertise in settling disputes and claims through mediation and alternative forms of dispute resolution. Arshad Khan is regularly involved in decisions relating to rectification, professional negligence, and court-approved compromises.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- Peter Murphy and James Bingham are excellent individual lawyers with good strategic judgment, and both have a keen interest in working out solutions that will benefit clients. They are never gung-ho about litigation unless it is genuinely the best resort and have deep experience in all forms of ADR. At the Associate level, Amy Difford is really terrific, both with clients and in working with other lawyers.
- Because the firm specializes in the law of occupational pension schemes, it has unusual strength and depth in lawyers with genuine specialist knowledge and expertise in that area. Furthermore, although their partners are excellent, the strength of their more junior lawyers is exceptional. This is partly a question of the quality of the individual lawyers, but also I think because Peter Murphy and James Bingham are particularly good at mentoring more junior lawyers.
- Led by James Bingham and Amy Difford. From the outset, the team and its leadership in the style of James have just been approachable, supportive, open, and mindful of the complexity and expertise they clearly hold, as well as the lack of experience I hold. This was evident at the pitch and was the reason they were engaged.
- Although I have worked with the entire team, my main point of contact has been Arshad Khan. Arshad is professional, knowledgeable, and very personable, which, as a client, I find very reassuring due to my limited knowledge of pension law. Peter Murphy, who has been present at all meetings, is also a standout individual for the same reasons as Arshad.
- Our key litigation contact is Arshad Khan. He is calm, professional, and very quick to respond, and his wealth of experience helps the Trustees navigate any litigation issues. He is very willing to take the time to jump on a call, draft a response, or give the Trustees the tools to draft something, whichever works best.
- Peter Murphy has huge pension litigation experience, is calm, has great practical instincts, and is no-nonsense. Arshad Khan is steady, has enormous experience in pension litigation, and has a great eye for detail.
Key clients
- Trustee of the DHL Retirement Plan
- Paul Withnall, Representative Beneficiary of the Samworth Pension Scheme
- Trustee of the Citibank UK Pension Scheme
- Trustee of the Yorkshire and Clydesdale Bank Pension Scheme
- Trustee of the EDS Pension and Life Assurance Scheme
- Trustee of the Boots Pension Plan
- Trustee of the GSK Pension Scheme
- Trustee of the AMEX Pension Scheme
- Trustee of the Greene King Pension Scheme
- Trustee of the Nestle UK Pension Scheme
Work highlights
Represented the Trustee of the Port of Felixstowe Pension Plan in ‘Part 8’ proceedings brought by a Plan member seeking to clarify the correct interpretation of the Plan Rules relating to eligibility for an ill-health pension.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
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Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Peter Murphy
Other key lawyers
Arshad Khan; James Bingham; Amy Difford