Pensions Law & Practice 2023: Shaping New Developments into Solution-Focused Answers for Clients

Programme

1. 09:30

   Registration and coffee

2. 10:00

   Chair's Introduction

   Pensions law & practice: Shaping new developments into solution-focused answers for your clients

   Chaired by Giannis Waymouth of Norton Rose Fulbright

   Giannis is deputy chair for The Society of Pension Professionals' DC Committee and served on APL's Parliamentary committee. She worked as Lloyds Banking Group's pensions counsel.

3. 10:10

   Pension Scheme Rectification

   Cutting through all the opinions, how do you address and rectify defective execution and instances of non-compliance with powers of amendment in pension schemes?

   Answered by Jennifer Seaman of Wilberforce Chambers

   Jennifer has a stellar pensions practice and acted in the high-profile Virgin Media v NTL litigation. She is co-author of “Dispute Resolution and Pension Scheme Litigation.”

4. 10:45

   Investment Strategies

   How do you control - and overcome - the legal problems arising from LDI, cash calls, or addressing claims arising from volatility, supported by case law and practical examples?

   Answered by Richard Hitchcock KC

   Richard is "brilliantly creative – his judgement is superb - and he brings humour to all his cases." He appeared in Sea Containers, Visteon, MF Global and Lehman Brothers pensions litigation.

5. 11:20

   Morning Coffee

6. 11:35

   Virgin Media Case Implications

   How has the Virgin Media case changed existing thinking on Section 37 actuarial certificates and with what implications for schemes looking to buy-out?

   Answered by Nicolas Stallworthy KC

   Nicolas is "exceptionally bright and an original thinker, superb for fiendishly difficult situations." He acted in the hotly contested Virgin Media and Box Clever Pension Scheme litigation.

7. 12:10

   Mansion House Challenges

   What challenges, both practical and legal, will arise from the PPF's potential role as a consolidator and the heightened focus on Trustees' skills, under the Mansion House proposals?

   Answered by Vanessa Wells of Eversheds Sutherland

   Vanessa advises the GE, BA, Tesco and National Grid Pension Schemes. She spent a year on secondment at the Pensions Regulator developing the Code of Practice on Trustee Knowledge and Understanding.

8. 12:45

   Overrun

9. 13:00

   Lunch

10. 13:45

    Benefit Arrears Issues

    In light of recent case developments, what are the unresolved issues over benefit arrears and correction exercises, particularly concerning limitation, forfeiture, and payable interest?

    Answered by Keith Rowley KC

    Keith is "a brilliant legal adviser who comes up trumps whenever you need complex and tricky legal advice." He acted in the British Airways and Lloyds Bank pensions cases.

11. 14:20

    Hard-To-Reach Members

    Where are the legal boundaries and ethical limits when informing hard-to-reach members about important changes, e.g., small pot members who cannot be found prior to buy-out?

    Answered by Henry Legge KC

    Henry is "one of the brightest stars of the Chancery Bar." He is the author of 'Pension Schemes' and appeared in the BT Pensions Scheme, IBM and Nortel Networks cases.

12. 14:55

    Ombudsman Case Insights

    How are recent Ombudsman cases on scheme administration and trustee decision-making influencing current practice and the way you advise clients?

    Answered by Ian Gordon of Gowlings WLG

    Ian advises the Britvic, Axminster Carpets, CMG and Mitchells & Butlers pension schemes. "He has formidable and acute command of the legal arguments and how to play them."

13. 15:30

    Over-run

14. 16:00

    Close of conference