Philip Smith is a partner and specialises in Pensions Law and Charity Law. Philip holds practising certificates in both Ireland and Northern Ireland. Philip advises on all aspects of pension schemes both in advising trustees and employers on day to day administration, restructuring, funding, investment, governance, regulatory compliance, disputes, merger, amendment and in relation to corporate transactions. He is a former Chair of the Association of Pension Layers in Ireland and a Fellow of the Irish Institute of Pensions Management. As coordinating partner of Arthur Cox’s Charity Law Group, he advises on the issues affecting charitable and not-for-profit organisations and their Directors/Trustees including advice on governance, regulatory compliance investigations, Revenue aspects mergers, restructurings, cy-pres, wind-up, trust law and fundraising. He is co-author, with Professor Oonagh Breen of UCD, of the Law of Charities in Ireland.
Arthur Cox
Arthur Cox's 'exceptional' team handles the full spectrum of pensions law matters for both public and private sector clients and is praised for its ‘highly responsive and unparalleled expertise’. Philip Smith heads the practice, with his primary area of expertise being day-to-day administration and restructurings, in addition to acting in disputes on behalf of trustees and employers. Sarah McCague is noted for her expertise in occupational pension schemes, and Deirdre Cummins has substantial knowledge of Irish pension arrangements, often assisting both employers and trustees.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘We find that the service from Arthur Cox is exceptional. We deal with subject experts who always grasp the issues at hand and deliver clear and concise advice.’
- ‘We deal primarily with Daniel Watters and, on occasion, Philip Smith. Daniel has an in-depth knowledge of his area and is always on hand to offer advice as issues arise.'
- ‘Good diversity - the team seems very collaborative and cohesive. They appear to get along and work well together in a respectful manner. Appear to mentor new staff well. Good advice - generally to the point, no waffle.’
- ‘Philip Smith - goes the extra mile for his clients, including zooming in from holidays for important meetings. Likewise, Sarah McCague is very available and responsive to clients.’
- ‘We have worked with Arthur Cox and its pensions and employee benefits practice for some time now and are more than satisfied with the wonderful service that they provide us with. The knowledge and capability has been second to none.’
- ‘I have worked with Daniel Watters, in particular, for quite some time now. He is exceptional at his job, and his knowledge of pensions is second to none. In addition to that, he is calm, logical, approachable and easy to speak to. I am always confident and assured in the advice that he provides.’
- ‘The practice is well resourced to provide the specific high quality and considered pensions and employment law related advice needed, promptly.’
- ‘The individual advisor is responsive, a subject matter expert, and confident in his advice. I know if it has gone past his desk, we are in safe hands.’
Key clients
- Diageo
- Ulster Bank Ireland DAC
- Flutter Entertainment plc
- Trustees of the Medisize Ireland Limited Defined Benefit Pension Scheme
- Glanbia plc
- Grafton Group plc
- An Post
- Assured Partners Limited
- Coillte
- Trustees of the Ervia DB and DC pension Schemes
Work highlights
- Advised Ulster Bank DAC on pensions aspects of its exit from the Irish Market.
- Advised Diageo on its data breach.
- Advised the trustees of An Post on disputes relating to pension increases.
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Leading individuals
Deirdre Cummins is Of Counsel at Arthur Cox and a member of the firm’s Pensions and Employee Benefits team, advising on all aspects of pensions law in Ireland. Deirdre is a former chair of the Association of Pension Lawyers in Ireland and a member of the Pensions Council. Deirdre specialises in pensions law and advises employers and trustees on all aspects of Irish pension arrangements both in the private and public sectors. In particular, Deirdre advises on issues arising from the ongoing management and administration of occupational pension arrangements from establishment to winding up, including regulatory compliance, trusteeship issues, drafting and scheme amendments, GDPR considerations, member communications and restructuring and liability management exercises. Deirdre also advises on all pensions aspects of corporate transactions, including share sales and asset and business transfers. Deirdre has broad experience in pensions litigation and has advised extensively on contentious matters between employers and trustees in the context of restructuring and winding-up pension schemes. Deirdre also has broad experience of advising on cross-border pension transfers and on the regulatory and compliance considerations involved in establishing an IORP in another Member State.
Next Generation Partners
Sarah advises on all aspects of pensions law and charity law. She advises trustees and employers on the establishment and day-to-day operation of occupational pension schemes including scheme restructuring; liability management exercises; benefit design; benefit reductions; scheme amendments; administration queries for example those in relation to pension adjustment orders; the winding up of pension schemes; and the application of the General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) to pension schemes. She also advises in relation to the application of the Charities Act, 2009 and in particular in relation to applications to the Charities Regulatory Authority; obtaining tax-exempt status from the Revenue Commissioners; the mergers of charities; fundraising queries, and governance matters.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Philip Smith