Pensions Lectures 2019 #1

Wilberforce Chambers invites you to our latest series of lectures by pension law practitioners on current topics of particular interest to pensions lawyers. Wilberforce has a well-established reputation in the field of pensions law, due in large part to the late Edward Nugee QC, to whose memory these lectures are dedicated. Each lecture will take place on the top floor of 58VE on Victoria Embankment and will be followed by drinks with spectacular views over London and the Thames.

Lecture 1

My brother’s keeper? Duties to second-guess beneficiary and advisor decisions
Jonathan Hilliard QC, Sebastian Allen and Jonathan Chew

Providing information or advice to members on their benefits is an area fraught with difficulty. Going behind choices made by them in relation to their benefits can be harder still, and second-guessing advisers’ decisions in relation to investment and the like a step further. Yet trustees are the ultimate custodians of the funds and cannot exclude liability completely in relation to investment, so this session examines when they have to wade into such territory. The talk will cover:

• SIPPs: Berkeley Burke Sipp Administration Ltd v Financial Ombudsman Service Ltd (2018) and beyond
• Other guidance on protecting beneficiaries against unwise decisions – the case-law on transferring out to suspect schemes
• Reviewing and second-guessing advisors’ investment suggestions and decisions: guidance from the private client context – Citco v Appleby (2014), Zang v DBS Bank (2018) and Daniel v Tee (2016)
• When won’t Pitt v Holt protect trustees from relying on advisers’ advice?
• Duties to advise members
• Employer responsibilities

The full programme can be downloaded here. To register your interest or if you have any queries, please email seminars@wilberforce.co.uk.