Pensions | UK

A&O Shearman maintains a leading practice that offers innovative de-risking solutions and advice on changes to cross-border pension schemes. It is recommended for its regulatory proficiency and for work on the pensions aspects of complex corporate transactions. The team regularly advises both trustee and sponsor clients on strategic decisions, projects and technically demanding areas of pensions law.

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.

Linklaters has an eminent pensions practice which combines contentious and non-contentious expertise. The team is recognised for its high-quality advice to a diverse range of clients in corporate restructuring, investment matters and liability management. Its clients include sponsors, trustees and insurance companies.

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.

Travers Smith is highly regarded for advising some of the industry's largest pension schemes on high-profile longevity transactions and bulk annuity purchases. It excels at overseeing complex de-risking exercises and cross-border transactions, as well as at advising stressed schemes. The team's notable client list includes household-name multinational companies.

Arc Pensions Law is a pensions boutique with deep expertise in the field. The team is led by industry-leading practitioners and offers high-quality advice across the full spectrum of pensions issues. Its impressive client base includes both trustees and sponsoring employers.

Baker McKenzie's pensions team provides expert advice to employers and trustees in regard to defined benefit and defined contribution schemes and corporate transactions. It is distinguished for offering innovative financing and investment solutions in de-risking projects, including longevity swaps and asset-backed funding.

Hogan Lovells has a highly regarded pensions team that frequently advises household-name corporate clients and pensions schemes. It is notable for its restructuring, funding and buy-in expertise, as well as its strength in pensions litigation and cross-border matters. The team has significant experience in high-value scheme mergers and is also reputed for its work handling the creation and structuring of master trusts for auto-enrolment.

Pinsent Masons has a national practice that enjoys a strong reputation in traditional pensions issues and pensions litigation. It offers impressive expertise in the field of master trusts. The firm has accomplished advisers on scheme merger and consolidation transactions. It also advises corporate clients, trustees and pension providers.

Slaughter and May has a highly regarded pensions practice that advises on a range of matters, including complex benefit changes and scheme closures. The firm enjoys a strong reputation for overseeing cross-border transactions and de-risking exercises. It has accomplished advisers to household-name employers who sponsor substantial schemes, with particular expertise working in highly unionised sectors.

Freshfields enjoys a reputation for advising on the pensions implications of complex international transactions. The team is distinguished for its deep knowledge and experience of acting for employers in funding and restructuring negotiations with trustees. It has further strength in de-risking and scheme restructuring and in relation to regulatory actions.

Gowling WLG is a large national firm offering expertise across the full spectrum of pensions issues for trustees, employers and providers. The team is notable for its strength in handling corporate transactions and large buy-ins and buyouts, as well as risk transfer mandates. Its clients include both pension providers and trustees.

Herbert Smith Freehills has a well-regarded pensions practice that is acknowledged for its work on de-risking and for overseeing the pensions implications of corporate transactions. The team is also respected for its strength on equalisation and funding, as well as for its knowledge of the pensions issues facing energy sector clients.

Mayer Brown has a strong pensions practice and advises companies and trustees in relation to some of the largest UK pension funds. The team offers strength in wide-ranging pensions issues, including funding arrangements and liability management.

Squire Patton Boggs has a notable pensions team that contains leading pensions investment experts. It stands out for its knowledge in local government pension schemes and is acknowledged for its work on the pensions schemes of not-for-profit organisations and utility companies. The team ably assists both trustees and sponsors regarding defined benefit and defined contribution schemes.

Stephenson Harwood handles a wide array of pensions matters on behalf of trustees and sponsoring companies. The team is well versed in advising on investment opportunities, liability reduction and restructurings. It is capable of advising on both contentious and non-contentious pensions matters. It regularly works on matters relating to both defined benefit and defined contribution plans.

Clifford Chance has a notable pensions team that is experienced at advising both corporate sponsors and trustees. The team is capable of advising on all types of pension matters and it also has the enviable capacity to handle multi-jurisdictional issues.

DLA Piper advises sponsoring employers and trustees across the full spectrum of pensions issues. The team is able to apply knowledge in tax, finance and restructurings to its pensions advice, and is also experienced at advising on the pensions implications of corporate transactions. The team is recognised for its ability to provide multi-jurisdictional advice.

Norton Rose Fulbright has a broad pensions practice that is noted for servicing insurance companies, trustees and large corporate sponsors. The team is experienced in all areas of pensions and regularly handles cross-border pensions matters. The firm is also recognised for its work in pensions disputes.

Fieldfisher has an established pensions practice known for its expertise when advising on pension schemes in the utilities, energy and transport sectors. The firm handles complex benefit amendments, buyouts and pensions issues relating to corporate transactions for corporate sponsors and trustees.

Reed Smith has a full-service pensions offering and advises both trustees and employers on defined benefit and defined contribution schemes. The team is noted for its work on amendments to scheme rules and on investment issues, as well as advising on scheme mergers and consolidation.

Simmons & Simmons has an established practice noted for its representation of trustees and employers in connection with the full range of pensions law. The firm is recommended for its insight into the financial services, investment and energy industries. Its particular strengths include advising on scheme mergers and the pensions aspects of corporate activity. The team is further recognised for its de-risking advice for defined benefit schemes.