The Pensions Group provides up to date, clear and practical legal advice on the broad spectrum of issues faced by employers, trustees and other advisers. This advice ranges from the establishment of pension schemes, obligations on employers and trustees, employer covenant issues, negotiation with the Pensions Regulator, pensions issues on mergers and acquisitions, pensions related litigation and interpretation of documents, through to buy-outs and the ultimate winding-up of schemes.

In addition, the team provides regular updates to clients and contacts through our e-bulletin service that keeps them informed about developments in pensions law and best practice.

Combining the Group's experience and expertise with that of other specialists within the firm, our pensions advice covers areas such as:

• Scheme documentation – the preparation of initial and amending documentation for all types of schemes, including ancillary scheme documents such as agreements on transfers and scheme mergers and the ongoing review of documentation in response to pensions law developments.
• Trustees/Employers – advice on the exercise of trustees’ and employer’s duties, discretionary and other powers and responsibilities.
• The Pensions Regulator - advice and negotiations on all matters covered by the Pensions Regulator.
• Pensions Protection Fund – advice on negotiation and dealing with the PPF.
• Litigation – provision of specialist advice on any pensions-related disputes, both through the Courts and with the Pensions Ombudsman.
  
• Corporate mergers, acquisitions, disposals and flotations – comprehensive advice on all pensions aspects including the far-reaching implications of the Pensions Act 2004.
  
• Investment agreements – negotiation and preparation of investment management agreements.
• UK and European law – advising on pensions and trust law and up to date guidance on current legislation and the effect of the European dimension on pensions equality, age discrimination and other issues
• Scheme mergers, wind-ups and buy-outs – advice on merging schemes, winding-up schemes and proceeding with full buy-outs, partial buy-outs and buy-ins.
• Pensions and employment – the Pensions Group works with our Employment Group providing pensions expertise where required, including drafting pension provisions in contracts, advising on existing contractual provision, salary sacrifice arrangements, advising on interaction of scheme rules and contractual entitlements and preparing pensions aspects of compromise agreements.

We act as ongoing legal advisers to companies and the trustees of pension schemes throughout the UK, from larger public companies and life offices, to smaller businesses and concerns.

Major clients include the following organisations and/or the trustees of their pension schemes:

• Aggreko
• Christian Salvesen
• Standard Life
• AWG
• Grampian Country Foods
• Wood Group
• Baillie Gifford
• Scottish Power
• Danaher
• Brewin Dolphin
• Stagecoach
• Vivendi Universal / Universal Music

Hailed as a “long-standing player” this three-partner team has established an enduring reputation for providing technically sound advice in a “client-pleasing and easy to digest” format.
Chambers 2008