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The secret life of pension documents
Paul Newman KC looks at how pension documents written for one purpose often end up being used for another, and what that means for those drafting them. To read the article, click on the pdf below.
FOS reforms: the clock is still ticking
The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) decides disputes by reference to what is ‘fair and reasonable’ in all the circumstances. HMT, the FCA and FOS have been working on reforms designed to make outcomes more predictable, particularly by reference to what the FCA’s rules required at the time, and by improving how ‘big issue’ complaints are handled. The FCA/FOS consultation paper on this issue, which was published in July 2025, can be found here . An update and further consul
Limitation and the wrong defendant
Paul Newman KC looks at a recent Court of Appeal decision which has potentially significant consequences for pensions negligence claims brought against the wrong defendant because liability had transferred to a successor entity. To read the article, click on the pdf below.
Civil Service Pension Scheme administrative problems
Paul has written an article for civilserviceworld.com on dos and don'ts for those affected by the ongoing Civil Service Pension Scheme issues. To read the article, click on this link . To read the Government's recent update on this topic, click on this link .
The future for lay trustees
Paul Newman KC considers the government’s proposals for the future of pension trustees set out in a recent DWP consultation paper, and asks whether it spells the end for the traditional lay trustee governance structure. To read the article, click on the pdf below.
Talking Pensions Ep26: Bob Scott
In this edition of Talking Pensions (recorded in December 2025), Paul talks to Bob Scott, senior partner at Lane Clark & Peacock. They discuss Bob's long career as a consulting actuary and expert witness. To read a transcript of the podcast, click on the pdf below.
Recent Virgin Media amendment withdrawn
On 9 January we reported that an amendment had been tabled to the Pension Schemes Bill to exclude from the scope of the Virgin Media remedy those amendments which are the subject of existing legal proceedings. That amendment was withdrawn at yesterday’s House of Lords Committee hearing, and will therefore not be part of the Bill going forward.
Judge criticises tPR approach to auto-enrolment appeal
In 4 Wheeler Ltd v The Pensions Regulator [2026] UKFTT 00153 (GRC), the First Tier Tribunal struck out an employer’s appeal against a Fixed Notice Penalty imposed for failure to comply with auto-enrolment requirements. However, the Judge registered two concerns over tPR’s conduct of the case. First, he criticised tPR’s mis-statement of the applicable law in its written argument and recommended an urgent review of its standard pleadings and submissions to avoid prejudicing the
Legal issues arising from the Virgin Media fix
Paul Newman KC considers the legal issues faced by trustees and actuaries when making and responding to requests for confirmation under the remedial provisions in the Pension Schemes Bill. To read the article, click on the pdf below.
The Court’s approach to scheme amendment powers
Thomas Seymour concludes his personal reflections on pensions law and practice by considering how the Courts have dealt over time with scheme amendment powers. To read the article, click on the pdf below.
Actuarial guidance for Virgin Media confirmations published
The Financial Reporting Council has issued technical guidance to assist scheme actuaries in considering whether to provide a confirmation under the provisions of the Pension Schemes Bill, providing for a remedy in respect of the Virgin Media decision. The guidance has been published before the Bill is enacted, to give actuaries sufficient time to prepare for requests for confirmation. The guidance will be updated as necessary to reflect any changes made to the legislation th
Personal Reflections on DB Schemes
Thomas Seymour was called to the Bar in 1975. In this article, he reflects on his long experience as a pensions practitioner and comments on the legislative and judicial approaches to DB schemes during that time. To read the article, click on the pdf below.
