Welcome to our December 2019 edition of Pensions Compass.
As we approach a very special event (I’m referring to Christmas rather than the general election or Brexit), we take a look at the recent events in the world of pensions.
One of the most exciting changes over recent months is the new addition to our team – Paul Ashcroft has joined us from DWF where he worked as a solicitor in the Pensions team in London having trained at DWF in 2015 and qualified there in 2017. Paul has acted on an extensive range of pensions advisory and transactional work for trustee, employer and private clients. On the contentious side, Paul has advised on everything from the Hampshire CJEU proceedings to individual Pensions Ombudsman complaints. No doubt some of you will be introduced to Paul in person at various meetings and events very soon.
Our last edition of Pensions Compass for 2019 includes the following topics:
- Clive’s usual summary, in the form of the Ready Reckoner provides a go-to summary of the key developments in pensions law and governance over recent months;
- Paul has written an article on Safeway v Newton which illustrates how law can override the provisions of a Scheme’s governing documents;
- Justin looks at the formalities required to complete and effective deed;
- Clive considers the strengthening of the Pension Regulator’s powers under the Pensions Bill which is expected to be brought back to life next year;
- Olivia gives us a fascinating insight into a recent case of a trustee defrauding the pension scheme it was responsible for administering; and
- I look at an example of auto-enrolment non-compliance and how the Regulator is clamping down on employers which have been “naughty rather than nice”.
We Ho-Ho-Hope you enjoy this edition of the Pensions Compass. If you have any questions regarding any of these topics please do get in touch.
[Please click here for a PDF version of this month’s update.]
For further details on these matters or any other pensions related queries, please contact a member of the Pensions and Employee Benefits team.
Alison Hills, Partner and Editor-in-Chief