
About
Provided by Sacker & Partners LLP
Sackers is a top tier commercial law firm specialising in advising pension scheme trustees, employers, providers and corporate investors on all aspects of their pension arrangements.
Widely viewed as leaders in the field, we advise more of the UK's top 200 pension funds than any other law firm and have been consistently ranked in the top tier for pensions by both leading UK legal directories (Chambers UK and the Legal 500) for over twenty years.
The firm is entirely devoted to meeting the needs of its pensions clients. Since Sackers was established in 1966, our specialist focus has helped us to build a stellar client list of over 450 occupational pension schemes of all sizes and structures and across all industry sectors. We retain key employer appointments on both an advisory and project basis, as well as advising providers, master trusts and IGCs on all aspects of DC pensions.
Whilst other firms have litigators, banking, investment and tax lawyers who ‘do some pensions work’, Sackers has specialist teams who spend all their time on pensions work. Investment lawyers advise on all the key risk transfer solutions including LDI and CDI strategies, buy-ins, buy-outs and longevity transactions, DC asset security and fund reviews and the full range of alternative investment structures. They also offer expert advice on the impact of ESG factors in pension scheme investing and managing and reporting climate risks.
Chambers Review
Sacker & Partners is a distinguished pensions boutique with a broad array of experience in defined benefit and defined contribution schemes. Its team offers expertise from a tax and finance perspective, and has strong litigation capabilities. It also has recognised sector-specific knowledge of the financial services, media, energy and retail industries. The firm regularly works with both companies and pensions trustees. Its lawyers are seen leading on innovative matters regarding large scheme restructuring projects.
Work Highlights
- The firm represented Crown Holdings in a £2.2 billion buy-in to buyout transaction for its defined benefit pension scheme known as the Metal Box Pension Scheme.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Sackers is the pre-eminent pensions-related firm in the UK. They have the broadest and deepest resources in the field."
"They have an impressive team they can call on for any legal support we need, no matter how extensive or time-critical the work is."
"With Sackers you get immense bench strength and universally good quality of output."
"The firm provides comprehensive analysis and clear conclusions that truly help trustees to reach decisions efficiently."
"Sackers is the pre-eminent pensions-related firm in the UK. They have the broadest and deepest resources in the field."
"They have an impressive team they can call on for any legal support we need, no matter how extensive or time-critical the work is."
"With Sackers you get immense bench strength and universally good quality of output."
"The firm provides comprehensive analysis and clear conclusions that truly help trustees to reach decisions efficiently."
Notable Practitioners

Edward Hayes advises on the pensions implications of large corporate transactions, in addition to scheme governance and structuring issues. He stands out for his knowledge of the issues faced by trustees.
"Edward provides very strong analysis and very clear conclusions that enable us to reach decisions quickly and efficiently. He is also a pleasure to work with."
"Edward is a great lawyer and makes pensions interesting. He's definitely an expert among experts and he's always great to work with."

Janet Brown's clients include trustees and employers seeking advice on pensions issues. She works with both on scheme mergers and corporate transactions.
"We love Janet. She is smart and makes pensions law fun. She is obviously a very clever lady with an encyclopedic knowledge of her field."

Philippa Connaughton assists clients with a wide variety of issues concerning their defined benefit and defined contribution schemes.
"She's a really trusted adviser and has been hugely valuable and supportive on some key commercial issues."

Faith Dickson is a highly experienced partner who is sought out by trustees and sponsoring employers. Her practice is broad and sees her advising on areas including bulk transfers and funding issues.
"With Faith, there is an excellent level of service and knowledge of complex pensions issues."
"Faith is brilliant at law; she gets on really well with clients and she's really commercial."

David Saunders assists trustees and employers with a broad array of pension scheme governance issues. He regularly advises on de-risking, liability management and buy-in transactions.
"David offers a practical perspective and is always at hand to talk through issues."

Pauline Sibbit is regularly called on by clients seeking specialist advice on complex scheme restructurings and financing issues.
Ranked Lawyers at
Sacker & Partners LLP
London (Firms)






Members
Provided by Sacker & Partners LLP
Clients
Provided by Sacker & Partners LLP
More of the UK’s top 200 pension schemes than any other firm
Industries
Provided by Sacker & Partners LLP
We are active across all industry sectors, with particular strength in financial services, media, energy and retail.