Pensions
UK Guide 2025 : London (Firms)
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+44 20 7367 3000About
Provided by CMS
Please visit the CMS website for more details about the practice and our work:
Law firm specialised in Pensions - CMS in the UK
Chambers Review
CMS has a large, expert team specialising in all areas of pensions, with experience overseeing de-risking projects, funding arrangements and Pensions Ombudsman claims. It provides high-quality advice to both trustees and companies. The firm has a strong client base from a variety of industries including telecommunications, utilities, and banking and financial services.
Work Highlights
- CMS advised Clara-Pensions, a commercial consolidator of defined benefit pension schemes, on a transaction with Sears Retail to transfer approximately £600 million of assets and liabilities into Clara's pensions trust.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The team at CMS are exceptionally strong and knowledgeable. There are always people able to step in if needed and they always add value."
"CMS are experts at dealing with complex matters. They are pragmatic and are able to think of novel ways to solve complicated issues."
"CMS are always good on the straightforward pieces of work, but when novel ideas come up, these are handled very well, with options or ideas often given rather than just stating the legal advice."
"Nothing fazes them - they seem to have seen it all."
"The team at CMS are exceptionally strong and knowledgeable. There are always people able to step in if needed and they always add value."
"CMS are experts at dealing with complex matters. They are pragmatic and are able to think of novel ways to solve complicated issues."
"CMS are always good on the straightforward pieces of work, but when novel ideas come up, these are handled very well, with options or ideas often given rather than just stating the legal advice."
"Nothing fazes them - they seem to have seen it all."
Notable Practitioners
Mark Atkinson is called upon by clients seeking advice on pension scheme mergers and the pensions aspects of corporate transactions. He also regularly advises on scheme governance and regulatory matters.
"Mark is really a class act."
"There is no doubt in my mind that he is unequal in the depth and breadth of his pensions knowledge."
Keith Webster assists clients with all manner of complex matters facing large pension plans, including investment issues.
"Keith is pragmatic, measured and thorough."
"Keith is an excellent all-rounder who delivers pragmatic solutions and advice."
Emma Frost works with trustees and employers on the full range of governance, transactional and regulatory matters involving pension plans.
"Emma is a very experienced and personable legal adviser."
"Emma is fantastic to work with, as she’s super responsive, pragmatic and solutions-focused. I find her very reassuring, capable and plain-speaking. Nothing fazes her."
Peter Coyne offers clients a broad base of pensions experience, with notable expertise in de-risking. He advises employers and pension plan trustees on the full range of transactional matters and restructurings.
"Pete has great commercial awareness and uses his market knowledge and trustee experience to support his advice."
"I always find Peter to be very knowledgeable and very cooperative in getting negotiations settled."
Caroline Kurup is a partner in the pensions team and has experience in corporate transactions as well as experience advising trustee clients and corporates on the day-to-day running of defined benefit pension schemes.
"Caroline is pragmatic, solution-oriented and succinct. She also does the job with a good sense of humour."
"Caroline looks to assist and find a solution rather than just focusing on the legal aspect."
"Caroline is a super-commercial, pragmatic and client-focused lawyer, and I really enjoy working with her and have great confidence she has our back."
Natalie Mee advises clients from a wide array of industries on all aspects of occupational pension schemes including buy-in work on behalf of trustees.
"Natalie is very responsive, gives clear recommendations and really understands the client perspective."
Ranked Lawyers at
CMS
London (Firms)
Members
Provided by CMS