Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP‘s pensions disputes team represents a wide array of clients, from trustees, employers, and administrators to master trusts, life offices, product providers, and banks. Working closely with the firm’s non-contentious practice, the team advises disputes on mis-selling claims, judicial reviews, TPR enforcement proceedings, and internal investigations. Practice head Claire Carroll is a veteran pensions practitioner with considerable experience in professional negligence claims, representative proceedings on rectification from the Court, and Pensions Ombudsman complaints. Jennifer Miles is another standout team member and a specialist litigation expert experienced in rectification, construction of scheme documents, professional negligence, and Pensions Regulator matters. Richard Bacon provides specialist support in complex and high-value trusts litigation.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Excellent. Highly professional and frequently praised by the Court for thorough preparation and presentation of cases.’
‘Great pensions team undertaking the full range of pensions cases with strength in depth.’
‘Claire Carroll - exceptional pensions partner, knows the law and solution-focussed. As pleasure to work with.’
‘Large and very well resourced team with experience of all types of pensions issues. Flexible approach to cases allows them to devote the appropriate resources at the right time. Innovative legal thinking to produce the right results. If litigation is necessary, they have the skills and resources to succeed.’
‘Charlotte Cartwright is on top form. Able to keep a team together to make the most out of everyone. Always focused on what the client needs. Has her finger on the pulse of the sector and knows the problems and solutions that are on the horizon.'
- 'Jennifer Miles is an excellent litigator. She doesn't let her impressive attention to detail obscure the overview. Great to work with.'
‘Strength and breadth mark out Eversheds Sutherlands' excellent dispute resolution team. Led by very able partners with immense technical knowledge and tactical nous the size of the team mean it can deal with the biggest and most complex litigation. As is evidenced by the team's involvement in some of the biggest cases of the last decade.'
‘Claire Carroll is an incredibly gifted pensions lawyer, marrying immense knowledge with a practical and clear manner that leaves clients able to understand the most complex issues. She is an astute practitioner who displays an excellent balance of tactical and technical expertise. Jennifer Miles is also an experienced litigator with a good commercial instinct.'
‘A good combination of strong contentious lawyers specialising in pensions work alongside additional technical expertise from the advisory team where needed.'
‘Claire Carroll is client focussed and has excellent experience in the pensions space. She gives practical advice with an eye on commercial aspects and the big picture.'
Key clients
- National Gas Transmission Plc
- The Trustees of the National Transcommunications Limited Pension Plan
- Aon Consulting Limited
- Universities Superannuation Scheme
- Standard Life Assurance Limited & Standard Life Trustee Company Limited
- Options UK Personal Pensions LLP (formerly Carey Pensions UK LLP)
- Aviva Life & Pensions UK Limited
- Financial Services Compensation Scheme Limited
- Avon Cosmetics Limited
- Scottish Widows Limited
Work highlights
Advised the Trustees of the National Transcommunications Limited (“NTL”) Pension Plan in a Court of Appeal hearing that determined whether amending documents that did not have s37 certificates were void.
Advised Avon Cosmetics Limited on its management of a continuing link to final salary, which was discovered 11 years after Avon closed its defined benefit pension scheme to future accrual.
Advised Options UK Personal Pensions LLP (formerly Carey Pensions UK LLP) on judicially reviewing the FOS, and the claim was fast tracked to the Court of Appeal due to its importance to the industry.
Lawyers
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Practice head
Claire Carroll
Other key lawyers
Jennifer Miles; Richard Bacon