Pensions: dispute resolution

Slaughter and May

Notably acting for clients such as the Railways Pension Trustee Company Limited and for a trustee of the BBC Pension Scheme, Slaughter and May’s team acts for a number of high-profile trustees and employers. Part 8 proceedings and regulatory investigations make up core areas of expertise, along with Pension Ombudsman, benefits disputes, and professional negligence claims. The practice is led by the ‘excellent’ Richard Jeens who has substantial expertise spanning investigations and issues relating to structuring and transactions. Daniel Schaffer is praised for his combination of being ’technically brilliant, razor sharp, and a great tactician’. Charles Cameron is another key name, as is Chris Sharpe who is particularly experienced on pensions aspects of complex M&A transactions and restructurings. Isobel Carruthers and Rachel Hunter are key figures within the team, and Sandeep Maudgil retired in April 2023.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘The team is very strong on technical pensions aspects and really good at communicating complex information in an understandable way. Whilst on top of the technical detail, the team retains a very clear focus on which points are worth raising and which aren't. The team is extremely reliable and responsive and, regarding so far as billing is concerned, focused on value delivery. Crucially, the link between the pensions and dispute resolution specialists in the team is seamless.’
‘Richard Jeens has led for us on the disputes side, with Chris Sharpe leading on the pensions specialist aspects. Both are outstanding lawyers. From a client perspective, Richard is very straightforward to deal with and has an ability both to understand all of the detail whilst also keeping sight of the overall strategic objective. Richard is very commercially aware and a first-rate communicator. Chris is very sharp and focused on delivering top advice and a superb service, and is a real pleasure to deal with.’
‘The team is unique in my experience, combining absolute excellence in technical capability, ability to take that and apply it to creative solutions. With an absolute focus on client experience and positive outcomes. A truly outstanding team with strength in depth.’
‘Charles Cameron, head of pensions and an exceptional lawyer and adviser. Leads his team by example and has absolute focus on excellence in everything he does. Is always striving to find the optimum solution for his clients.’
‘The team focus on instilling confidence in the Trustee that its actions and decision-making processes are legally sound. In an inherently complex area, Trustee confidence, during disputes, is a critical factor enabling the Trustee to arrive a good decisions. Such confidence is derived from the depth and clarity of analysis provided and the confidence way it is presented. The team also integrate their advice with that of the investment, actuarial and covenant advisers, providing the Trustee with truly joined-up advice and recommendations.’
‘Dan Schaffer continually combines his intimate knowledge of the most complex rules of the scheme with best practice pensions-legal decision-making processes, and subsequent documentation. Such attention to detail allows the trustee to concentrate on outcomes, knowing that their process will stand up to scrutiny. Dan is ably assisted by Isobel Carruthers and Chris Sharpe, so on the rare occasion that Dan not immediately available, the team are on hand to respond without delay.’
‘An exceptionally strong team that can draw on a wealth of specialist expertise to resolve disputes. Difficult to visualise a better firm for pensions dispute resolution.’
‘Dan Schaffer is a partner with exceptional intellect. He's able to visualise every eventuality and cover off all angles. Extremely articulate, he grasps complex issues and breaks them down into the points that matter. Technically brilliant, razor sharp, and a great tactician.’

Key clients

Railways Pension Trustee Company Limited, the Trustee of the Railways Pension Scheme
Trustee of the BBC Pension Scheme
Reach Plc

Work highlights

Advised Railways Pension Trustee Company Limited, the Trustee of the industry-wide Railways Pension Scheme, in relation to the successful 2023 Court of Appeal hearing in RPTCL v ATOS IT Services UK Limited v Anor and a connected investigation by the Pensions Regulator.
Advising the BBC Pension Scheme on the High Court hearing and subsequent appeal to the Court of Appeal for the Part 8 claim brought by the BBC.
Advising Reach plc, publisher of 130 national and regional brands, in relation to a Pensions Regulator intervention regarding the 2019 statutory actuarial valuation of the MGN Pension Scheme.