Paul Newman QC

Practice Overview

Paul's practice focuses mainly on pensions and financial services law, acting for employers, trustees and members across the full spectrum of litigation and advisory work in those fields. As well as representing some of the highest profile pension schemes in the UK and several major life insurers,  Paul has acted for the Pensions Regulator, OPRA, the Pension Protection Fund, the Pensions Ombudsman and NEST.

Paul has advised the Royal Bank of Scotland in connection with its successful recovery of pension benefits from Sir Fred Goodwin. He has also advised the Department of Work and Pensions on the age discrimination regulations, and is currently advising the senior UK judiciary on the government's proposals to impose contributions to the judicial pension schemes.

Paul has been heavily involved in advising on, and appearing in cases relating to, various provisions of the Pensions Act 2004. Paul also has extensive experience of advising and litigating on various public sector and industry-wide pension schemes.

Professional Reputation

Chambers & Partners

Pensions

In 2012, Paul is described as "very popular", who clients seek out for his "innovative thinking, strong commercial outlook" and "clear and unambiguous advice." He is "always to the point" and, therefore, "exceptional in arguing the complexities of the case, leaving those around him to wonder how the clarity of the matter could have been missed."

In 2011, Paul was described as "a very determined, fighting advocate who is extremely knowledgeable on the law". Commentators appreciated his willingness to take bold decisions, stating that "if you want a clear view you go to him". His pragmatism was also much commented upon by observers

In 2010, Paul was described an "incredible talent" and a "bold lateral thinker who is popular with clients due to his confident views;" peers were quoted as predicting that he will "rapidly make a name for himself" as leading counsel.

The 2009 edition said that 'he is secure in his status as "the absolute star" of the pensions juniors. "Willing to stick his neck out and get involved", he is beloved by solicitors as he is "exceptionally hard-working, extraordinarily confident and extremely clever". He has been notably involved in cases regarding employer contribution provisions and corrections to scheme documentation of late and, although he is a junior, he is felt to bring to these and other cases "all the strengths of a silk".

In 2008, he was acknowledged as "extremely good", a "forceful and aggressive" presence in court, and valued for his "skillful presentation of inventive arguments". "Creativity and sheer knowledge of pensions law' mark him out from the crowd".'

Professional negligence

Paul has been recommended in all recent editions, including 2012.

Paul is praised by clients as "very robust, practical and bright" (2011)

Paul is described as "Downright marvellous," handling an impressive number of negligence claims involving pension funds (2010)

'Paul has "real depth of knowledge" and is a favourite for pensions negligence cases.' (2009) 

The Legal 500

Paul is described as having "a strong commercial outlook" (2012)

Paul was described as an ‘aggressive litigator' who ‘gets to the heart of the issue.' (2010)

'He is "commercial" and "does fantastic job on true litigation".' (2008)

Qualifications

• First Class degree in Law, Downing College, Cambridge
• LLM, Harvard Law School

Memberships

• Association of Pension Lawyers
• Pension Litigation Court Users' Committee
  

Publications

Paul is a contributor to leading practitioners' works on pensions and on the law of corporate receivers (Lightman & Moss) He has written several articles on pensions and financial services topics, including an influential analysis of rectification issues as they relate to pension schemes, published in Trust Law International.