Often collaborating closely with the firm's non-contentious pensions team, the pensions dispute resolution team at Linklaters LLP has extensive experience in handling the full spectrum of contentious pensions work for a blend of employers, trustees, insurers, and professional services firms. Praised for being ‘very clever but with a great tactical mind and common sense’, practice head Mark Blyth is regularly acts in disputes concerning funding and restructuring, matters involving the pensions regulator, benefit redesign, rectification and professional negligence. Sarah Opie and Tom Kent are key figures within the team who handle both contentious and non-contentious issues.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Depth of knowledge across the team who all work collaboratively with their client.'
- 'They integrate well into a team environment and offer practical and pragmatic solutions as well as the in-depth analysis when required.'
- 'Their advice is decisive and does not sit on the fence, enabling the client to move forward and take informed decisions.’
‘Mark Blyth has a sharp practical mind as well as in-depth pensions knowledge and has proven very capable to bringing together many warring parties to reach a sensible outcome. His sharp pensions mind gives well constructed responses and takes the initiative to keep the momentum of a project going, and find solutions to unblock hurdles to achieve a good outcome for all sides.’
‘The team are very clever and experienced individuals who have top class pensions expertise and litigation experience. They are capable of handling the most difficult and complex cases. They act both for employers and trustees.’
‘Mark Blyth is one of the leading pensions litigators in the country who has featured in many of the largest cases in recent years. He is very clever but with a great tactical mind and common sense. Sarah Opie shares the same qualities. He also has a deep knowledge of technical pensions law.’
‘They are seriously able and use their intellect to come up with sensible solutions for their clients.’
‘Sarah Opie is extremely clever, has a lovely understated manner and is a partner in the making.’
Key clients
- Verity Trustee Limited, the Trustee of The Pensions Trust
- Trustee of the BP Pension Fund
- ITV plc
- Trustee of the Merchant Navy Ratings Pension Fund
- Trustee of the Bristol Water Pension Scheme
- BBC
Work highlights
- Advising the Trustee of The Pensions Trust on proceedings to consider construction questions arising from a benefit review exercise.
- Advising the Trustee of the BP Pension Fund on potential claims by the BP Pensioner Group in relation to discretionary pension increases.
- Advising ITV plc on its long-running ‘moral hazard’ case brought by the Pensions Regulator in relation to the Box Clever Pension Scheme..
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Sarah Opie
Linklaters LLPPractice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Mark Blyth