England - South West • Employment
Burges Salmon LLP
The Bristol-based pensions team at Burges Salmon LLP regularly handles scheme mergers, complex regulatory work, buy-ins and buy-outs, as well as an increasing amount of public sector work; testament to this, the firm was recently re-appointed to the National Local Government Pension Scheme. Practice chair Richard Knight regularly handles high-profile matters such as providing urgent legal advice concerning the LDI crisis to the the trustees of high-profile pension schemes. Clive Pugh‘s expertise extends to scheme rescue and managed PPF entry, while the 'excellent, thoughtful and collaborative' Michael Hayles is a key contact at the firm for public sector work. Richard Pettit, Alice Honeywill, Susannah Young and Chris Brown further extend the firm’s pensions expertise.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Extremely friendly and responsive team, giving good advice.’
‘Both Chris Brown and Richard Knight are very approachable and knowledgeable.’
‘I have found the team to be responsive at the outset, mindful of deadlines thereafter and technically excellent.’
‘I have worked mainly with Michael Hayles who I have found to be an excellent, thoughtful and collaborative lawyer.’
‘A very well resourced pensions team, able to apply the appropriate expertise to any particular matter.’
- 'Richard Pettit is an excellent client partner. Good at maintaining relationships, identifying client needs and targeting resources to meet those needs quickly and efficiently.'
‘All round excellent pensions team. Up there with the best in the UK. Great experience and depth of quality.’
‘Suzanne Padmore is a brilliant pensions litigator. Great technical knowledge and strategic judgement. Fantastic to work with.'
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 three of the four UK DB schemes sponsored by Informa Plc
- Trustees of the London Luton Airport Pension Scheme
- Trustee of a scheme sponsored by a FTSE 250 global company
Work highlights
- Advised the Trustees of the DAS Legal Expenses Insurance Company Limited Pension Scheme in relation to an application for forfeiture of £5 million worth of benefits of three members of the scheme.
- Advising 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 sponsored by Leonardo MW Limited in relation to a proposal to close the schemes to future benefit accrual and in relation to a GMP equalisation conversion project.
Lawyers
Rising stars
Leading individuals
Head of the firm's Pensions practice and provides a full range of advice across the discipline. Advises the trustees and sponsors of pension schemes, draft pensions documentation and handles the pensions aspects of corporate transactions. Key clients include Western Power Distribution with pensions arrangements worth well in excess of £5bn and schemes sponsored by AT&T, Honda, Chanel and Leonardo.
Advises trustees and employers on all aspects of pensions law and is recognised as a leading expert nationally on regulatory matters including scheme funding, clearance and governance and major Moral Hazard investigations. He draws on experience at and with the Pensions Regulator and has advised on a number of complex restructurings for schemes and employers, bringing regulatory insights. Also regarded as an expert in ongoing pensions advisory work and negotiations, including on benefit redesign, closures and corporate developments. Advised on the key regulatory cases of Silentnight, Bernard Matthews and also appointed for the reply on McDonalds
Next Generation Partners
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Richard Knight