The ‘knowledgeable people’ at Weightmans LLP in Liverpool act for a broad range of pensions clients, including private sector employers, trustees, and pensions providers, as well as public sector clients in central and local government, emergency services, and education. Practice head Mark Poulston is ’practical in his advice‘ and he acts for both private and public sector clients in the full array of pension issues, and he is also an expert in insurance with a particular emphasis on the use of insurance products in the context of pension schemes. The group also includes Philip Woolham, who advises on all areas of pension law but has a particular focus on public sector work, and Cat Ellis in Leeds, who advises on a broad range of pension arrangements.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Able to quickly respond to needs. Deliver required staffing quickly.’

  • ‘Mark Poulston is very responsive and practical in his advice. He is able to understand the situation quickly and provide timely and relevant recommendations.’

  • ‘I was provided with assistance on a complex pensions matter which was dealt with efficiently by knowledgeable people who helped me to understand the matter too.'

  • 'Pensions are a daunting subject and difficult to understand, and I really appreciate the time and patience they took to explain in detail the legalities and how to best navigate them.’

  • ‘Philip Woolham has been a great help to me. He has been available when needed and worked to timescales required.’

Key clients

  • The Scheme Advisory Board for the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme
  • Equality and Human Rights Commission
  • Southbank Centre Limited
  • Surrey Police
  • Sussex Police
  • Colas Limited
  • N Brown Pension Trustees Limited
  • Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue Service
  • The Post Office
  • London Business School
  • Swissport GB Limited
  • Greif UK Limited
  • Bishop Fleming
  • British Transport Police

Work highlights

  • Advised the national Scheme Advisory Board on the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme.
  • Advised several clients on terminating their participation in the Local Government Pension Scheme and Teachers’ Pension Scheme.
  • Advised several trustee and employer clients, including the Equality and Human Rights Commission, on insurance buy-ins, buy-outs, and the winding up of their defined benefit pension schemes.

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Mark Poulston

Other key lawyers

Philip Woolham, Cat Ellis