We provide specialist public sector pensions advice for employers that participate in, or are considering participation in, major schemes such as the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) and the NHS Pension Scheme. These schemes can have a significant impact on an organisation’s finances and workforce. Our role as experienced pension lawyers is to help employers understand their position, manage day to day obligations and plan confidently for structural change.
Employers rely on us to advise on participation requirements, ongoing obligations and the long-term implications of defined benefit liabilities. We guide clients through the risks and hurdles that accompany any change in strategy which will have a pensions impact including scheme exits, corporate mergers, outsourcing arrangements and TUPE transfers. We draw on our experience with multiple LGPS Funds and their legal advisers to ensure our insight is well informed.
We act for housing providers, charities, health and social care providers and other organisations delivering public services. Many of our clients operate within tight financial and regulatory constraints while delivering vital frontline services. Whether you are joining a scheme, managing ongoing participation, facing an exit or dealing with a dispute, you receive advice that is grounded in accuracy, pragmatism and sector specific understanding.
Our Services
We offer comprehensive support to employers throughout the lifecycle of participation in a public sector pension scheme.
Joining a Public Sector Pension Scheme
We advise employers that are joining, or considering joining, public sector schemes such as the LGPS or NHSPS. Our work includes:
- Assessing the pensions implications of tender processes and contract structures.
- Advising on the application of Fair Deal and Best Value provisions in outsourcing and TUPE situations.
- Guiding clients through LGPS admission agreements and their terms.
- Advising on obligations and responsibilities as a participating employer.
We help you understand the cost, risk and employment implications of participation before you commit.
Obligations Whilst Participating
Once an organisation is participating in a scheme, we support employers with the decisions they must make and the policies they must maintain. This includes:
- Drafting, reviewing and updating LGPS discretions policy statements.
- Advising on ill health retirement requests and related processes.
- Advising on LGPS redundancy rights.
- Supporting employers with communications to staff and representatives.
Our aim is to ensure that day to day pensions decisions are consistent, well documented and defensible.
Mergers Involving Public Sector Pension Schemes Participation
- Due diligence on pension participation across merger partners.
- Reviewing admission agreements for notification and consent requirements.
- Advising on whether the chosen merger structure crystallises an exit debt.
- Advising on TUPE‑related pension obligations.
- Negotiating deeds of novation and replacement admission agreements.
- Supporting clients in securing NHS Direction Body status.
Leaving a Public Sector Pension Scheme
Exiting a public sector scheme can be one of the most complex decisions an employer makes. We:
- Advise on exit processes, including employer obligations to the scheme and to employees.
- Work with actuaries to understand potential exit debts and payment options, such as deferred debt arrangements.
- Implementing agreements for liability management on exit.
- Help clients assess the legal, financial and workforce implications of leaving or reshaping their participation.
If you are considering an exit or change, we help you test options in advance so you can make an informed decision.
Resolving Disputes
We advise employers where disagreements arise with funds, members or other stakeholders. Our work includes:
- Advising on Internal Dispute Resolution Procedures (IDRP) and employer responsibilities.
- Supporting employers responding to member complaints under an IDRP.
- Advising on routes to challenge LGPS fund decision making, including dispute resolution and judicial review options.
Throughout, we focus on early, proportionate solutions that protect relationships and manage risk.
Meet the Team
Our team is led by Kirsty Thompson and Katie Maguire, both of whom have extensive experience advising employers on public sector pension obligations, risk management and long‑term liability strategies. They are supported by pensions specialists with strong backgrounds in employment and public sector governance, allowing us to provide advice that is both technically accurate and aligned with wider organisational responsibilities.
As trusted pension solicitors, we support employers across sectors to manage participation, reduce risk and approach strategic decisions with clarity and confidence.
How We Work
We take time to understand each client’s objectives and context, which might include its financial position and risk appetite. We then assess the legal options available and outline the steps needed to implement the chosen approach.
Once a decision is made, our work spans planning, consultation, documentation and implementation. We liaise with actuaries, benefits consultants and internal teams so that advice on pensions is joined up with finance, HR and governance. Once a client decides on the appropriate course of action, we support them through planning, consultation, execution and implementation.
Our advice is clear, technically robust and practical. Decision makers receive precise guidance on what the rules allow, what each option would mean in practice and how to move forward.
Case Examples
- Advising a learning disability charity during a tender involving LGPS‑participating employees, assessing risks and informing its tender decision.
- Supporting a national housing association through simultaneous closure to accrual in several defined benefit schemes, including due diligence, consultation and implementation.
- Advising a national social landlord following an LGPS exit where no exit credit was offered; assisting with representations, lodging judicial review proceedings and a subsequent IDRP challenge that led the Fund to revise its position.
Don’t just take our word for it…
Contact us
For initial enquiries please complete this form and send us a message. We’ll direct your enquiry to the appropriate person.
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