Pensions
UK Bar Guide 2025 : London (Bar)
Band 2
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
(020) 7831 0081Chambers Review
Radcliffe Chambers has notable experience in a broad spectrum of pensions matters, both contentious and non-contentious. Its barristers have extensive experience acting in cases with elements of professional negligence and trusts law. As well as acting for the Pensions Regulator and the Pensions Ombudsman, members of Radcliffe Chambers offer trustees and employers the benefit of their substantial expertise in the pensions area. One client states the set has "real go-to counsel for the tough technical pensions and trusts questions". The barristers at the set have been acting for Newell Trustees in a case that was a Part 64 application by the sole trustee of the Scheme, seeking directions as to the effectiveness of various changes made to the Parker Pension Plan in 1992. Phillips v National Grid Gas plc is another key case concerning a claim against National Grid Gas by a former employee and defined benefit scheme member for an injunction in relation to the member’s alleged entitlement to an incapacity pension.
John Clark is the head of clerking.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The clerks are always responsive and proactively helpful."
"The clerks are always responsive and proactively helpful."
Notable Practitioners
Keith Rowley KC is a leading silk handling the full breadth of pensions issues from Part 8 claims to equalisation matters. He also commands expertise in pension disputes with professional negligence elements. He is sought after by a raft of entities including trustees, sponsoring employers and professional services providers.
"You know you are always getting a first-class piece of advice from Keith as his depth of knowledge in this area is immense."
"Keith is a first-class pensions litigator who has a great eye for both the detail and the big picture."
"Keith remains our go-to barrister for high-value, strategic and complex pensions law matters. He is in our view one of the leading barristers in this area."
Elizabeth Ovey is an experienced chancery barrister who has expertise in pension disputes, as well as related professional negligence and financial services issues. She frequently advises scheme sponsors as well as benefits consultancies.
"Elizabeth provides excellent service and responsiveness."
"Elizabeth Ovey has been first-rate in assisting us on a complex and technical pensions and employment matter."
Wendy Mathers is an experienced commercial chancery junior who is popular with respondents for her knowledge in Part 8 claims and professional negligence disputes. Her experience includes advising on Pensions Ombudsman matters and issues surrounding equalisation.
"Wendy's advocacy is pitched perfectly. She can be feisty when needed but also very measured and sympathetic when more appropriate."
"Wendy is very technically astute and does not get stuck in the weeds. She is very straightforward and gets to the heart of a matter."
Henry Day is an effective junior counsel attracting increasing acclaim for his counsel on contentious benefits increases, scheme governance, professional liability and rectification matters. He frequently advises trustees and sponsors.
"He has an absolute laser intelligence and is able to get on top of things very quickly."
"Henry's written work is very solid."
"Henry sifts through the noise to be able to distil information and explain it really well."
"Henry is very accessible, user-friendly and has a very sure drafting style and a good strategic sense and feel."