The pensions team at Wedlake Bell LLP advises on a range of pensions matters, including employee incentive arrangements, final salary schemes and liability management issues, as well as assisting with the pensions elements of corporate work. Justin McGilloway leads the team, advising a range of employers, trustees, pension providers and individuals in the UK and internationally. Consultant Clive Weber is also an active member of the practice, as are Paul Ashcroft and James Newcome.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘All the staff on the Pensions Team at Wedlake Bell are professional and friendly. We have an excellent relationship with them and trust them implicitly. They have done a fine and thorough job.’

  • ‘The staff we are engaged with (Justin McGilloway and James Newcome) are always responsive, friendly and professional. ’

  • ‘James Newcome and Justin McGilloway performed exceptionally well and were a pleasure to work with.’

  • ‘The team is knowledgeable in UK pension laws. They took time to listen to our situation, and provided a clear explanation of potential non-compliance. They then offer suggestions for the next steps. They stayed in touch with us through the process.'

  • ‘James Newcome has been an excellent partner with us during the whole process. He offered timely advice at each step.'

Key clients

  • Scandinavian Airlines System Pension and Assurance Scheme (Trustees of the Scheme)
  • Jotun Paints (Europe) Limited Pension Scheme (Trustees of the Scheme)
  • Capital Radio Pension and Assurance Scheme (Trustees of the Scheme)
  • The Carlton Tower Pension Scheme (Trustees of the Scheme)
  • Trad Scaffolding Limited
  • Mission Aviation Fellowship Europe Pension Scheme (Trustees of the Scheme)
  • Concentrix – The Stream International Pensions Scheme (Trustees of the Scheme)
  • National Centre for Social Research (Trustees of the Scheme)
  • James Latham Plc (Trustees of the Scheme)

Work highlights

  • Advised trustees of the Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) Pension and Assurance Scheme on strategy in order to protect the Trustees' position and ensure safeguard members' benefits without triggering a PPF assessment period in the UK, following the parent company entering Chapter 11 proceedings in the US.
  • Advised trustees of the Capital Radio Pension and Assurance Scheme on the closure to future benefit accrual; and subsequent buy-in to buy-out of the Scheme.
  • Advised trustees of the Carlton Tower Pension Scheme on an array of scheme governance issues including i) a consolidation of the scheme rules; ii) benefit augmentations; iii) GMP reconciliation project; and iv) appointment and removal of scheme auditors.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Justin McGilloway

Other key lawyers

Clive Weber, Paul Ashcroft, James Newcome