Pensions: dispute resolution

CMS

Boasting ‘first-class knowledge and resources’, the team at CMS has a strong track record in major Part 7 professional negligence claims and complex Part 8 claims. Maria Rodia leads the team, with the ’fantastic’ Neil Smith being a key port of call for actuarial and benefit consultants in professional negligence disputes; Neal Gibson brings additional experience in these areas. Manchester’s Tim Green handles a range of equalisation cases, Beddoe relief, and cross-border enforcements. TPR investigations are a core area of expertise for Keith Webster. Other key names include Mark Atkinson, who is commended as ‘one of the most knowledgeable and astute pensions lawyers in practice’, Simon Pilcher who is an expert in covenant support, scheme mergers, and asset backed funding, and Johanna Clarke who is particularly adept at assisting with DC master trusts. Alexandra Tomlinson, Simon Evans, and Kayleigh Garforth are also integral team members, and Mark Grant retired.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘CMS are the leading firm in pensions dispute resolution. No-one else can match their combination of first-class knowledge and resources. A behemoth, and in a good way!’
‘Mark Atkinson is one of the most knowledgeable and astute pensions lawyers in practice. Involved in some of the biggest cases. Will move mountains for his clients - and will know which mountains need to be moved. One of my top 3.
'Neil Smith is a fantastic client partner whose clients, quite rightly, are devoted to him.’
‘The Team has a great depth and breadth so highly knowledgeable about pensions. Access to wider fields outside of pensions is very helpful and leads to cost efficiencies. Likewise, their depth and breadth of experience across the team means that there are next to no scenarios that the team haven't come across previously.'
'The team are very hardworking and regularly go over and above to get the job done. They will always look for solutions to the problems presented to them but also do not shy away from saying where a particular outcome cannot (legally) be achieved.’
‘All of the team are very friendly, engaging and very easy to work with. I have no hesitation picking up the phone to any of them with the various legal problems I have encountered over the last year related to pensions.'

Key clients

Aon
Willis Tower Watson
Universities Superannuation Scheme Limited
Cobham Pension Plan
Trustee of the Scottish Solicitors’ Staff Pension Fund
Trustee of the Reynards UK Centralised Pension Scheme
Trustee of the Munro & Miller Fittings Retirement Benefit Scheme
Trustee of the Biwater Retirement and Security Scheme
Board of the Pension Protection Fund
Legal & General
Vidett
IGG
BT

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