The ‘first-class’ contentious pensions team at CMS is dually headed by Mark Grant and Maria Rodia and is especially known for its experience in handling part 7 professional negligence claims, for which Neil Smith and Neal Gibson are key contacts. Alongside this, the team is adept at advising clients on part 8 matters, as well as providing assistance in claims involving the validity of scheme closures and benefit changes. For Beddoe relief applications, Manchester-based Tim Green is the name to note, while Simon Pilcher is commended for his work with employer covenant support packages and Pensions Ombudsman investigations. Mark Atkinson is recommended for his ’unrivalled technical knowledge’, while Alexandra Tomlinson is another name to note. Dominic Harris left the team in December 2022 to join the Pensions Ombudsman.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The biggest and best for pensions litigation, with an enormous body of first-class pensions knowledge combined with top-notch litigators. It's not a surprise that they have been involved in a lot of the biggest litigation in recent years.’
‘Mark Atkinson is a first choice here. He has unrivalled technical knowledge combined with with great tactical focus. Neil Smith is a great litigator, always able to wheedle out the other sides' weaknesses so he can apply pressure in just the right spots.’
Key clients
- Paramount
- Aon