Burges Salmon LLP
Burges Salmon LLP is able to offer its clients non-contentious pensions advice from its offices in London, Bristol, and Edinburgh, with Richard Knight leading the practice from Bristol. The team is particularly commended for its work on public sector matters, having recently worked on the National Local Government Pension Scheme Framework for Legal Service, on which Michael Hayles is a key contact. Clive Pugh is a name to note for scheme rescues and managed PPF entries, whilst the ‘pragmatic and sensible' Richard Pettit is particularly adept at assisting clients with international pensions issues. Alice Honeywill and Susannah Young are also noteworthy team members, with Honeywill focusing on larger pensions projects within mergers, corporate restructurings, buy-ins and buy-outs. Associates Chris Brown and Crispin Freeman are also recommended.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Very clear advice and a compressive knowledge of pension law.’
‘Great technical expertise combined with commercial awareness and dedication to finding the best outcome for their client.’
‘Alice Honeywill is very knowledgeable, very pragmatic, and very personable.’
‘Richard Pettit is a brilliant pensions lawyer who really knows his stuff and is a pleasure to deal with. Pragmatic and sensible.’
‘Highly competent team with specialist pensions expertise. A sound balance of pragmatic and protective legal advice.'
‘Very personable, thorough, professional, and well-resourced.’
‘Clive Pugh is client-focused, understanding, technically strong, offers value for money, and makes pensions fun.’
‘Chris Brown is extremely good at following up and providing sound advice.’
Key clients
- Honda Group UK Pension Scheme
- AT&T Pension Scheme
- Leonardo Pension Schemes
- Trustees of the C F Fertilisers Pension Schemes
- Trustees of the DAS Legal Expenses Insurance Company Limited Pension Scheme
- Trustees of the London Luton Airport Pension Scheme
Work highlights
- Advised the Trustees of the DAS Legal Expenses Insurance Company Limited Pension Scheme in relation to an application for forfeiture of £5m worth of benefits of three members of the scheme.
- Advised the trustees of the three UK pension schemes sponsored by CF Fertilisers Limited, in relation to a restructuring of the sponsoring employer.
- Advising the Trustee of two DB pension schemes with assets of £1bn and £1.5bn sponsored by Leonardo MW Limited, the UK arm of a large European sponsoring employer in the manufacturing sector in relation to a proposal to close the schemes to future benefit accrual and in relation to a GMP equalisation conversion project.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Richard Knight