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Well-established practice with expertise in all aspects of pension scheme arrangements. Experienced in advising on defined benefit schemes. Well known for advising public and private employers and trustees, with a specialism in assisting clients in the education, charity and private wealth sectors. Expertise spans SSAS and SIPP plans.
Notable practitioners
Maria Riccio provides extensive guidance to pension scheme trustees, including on matters such as scheme exits, benefits structuring and PPF compliance.
Chambers UK - 2022 edition
With a wide range of clients in the private wealth, education, not for profit and public services sectors, Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP offers a well-rounded pensions offering, focusing primarily on transactional matters. Maria Riccio specialises in assisting clients with defined benefit schemes and contentious matters, while Clare Coley is noted for her expertise in defined contribution and auto-enrolment matters.
The Legal 500 - 2022 edition
Strengths: Sources say: 'They have good experience and strength across the range of pensions issues.'
Clients report: 'The quality of advice, support and guidance could not have been better.'
Chambers UK - 2021 edition
Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP's 'pleasant, approachable, informative and friendly' team provides full transactional support to clients from the private wealth, not for profit, public services and education sectors. The firm also handles work for individuals, principally involving pension disputes with their schemes or employers. Maria Riccio is 'knowledgeable and approachable' in advising on defined benefit schemes and contentious pension-related work. Clare Coley specialises in defined contribution and auto-enrolment issues.
They seamlessly achieve and maintain the balance between friendly, informal interaction with us as clients and adhering to the strict, professional and unwavering attention to detail in application and interpretation of the points of law.
The Legal 500 - 2021 edition
Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP has a strong reputation as one of 'the most pre-eminent pension practices in the South East' and works across all sectors with an emphasis on charities, insurance and private wealth. It provides transnational support and training, as well as handling contentious matters such as pension fraud. Clare Coley and Verity Cruse are of note.
The Legal 500 - 2020 edition
Strengths: ‘The team is excellent and they provide good value,’ notes a client.
‘The team works well and efficiently,’ says a source.
Notable practitioners
Maria Riccio is an expert in the field who works with clients on a wide range of pensions matters. Sources say: ‘She is knowledgeable and experienced in pensions work, can form a view quickly and is an excellent sounding board.’
Chambers UK - 2019 edition
Well-established practice with expertise in all aspects of pension scheme arrangements. Experienced in advising on defined benefit schemes. Well known for advising public and private employers and trustees, with a specialism in assisting clients in the education, charity and private wealth sectors.
Strengths: A commentator highlights the team's ‘fine commercial awareness and recognition of the practicalities.’
Another points out the ‘excellent service which has been competitively charged.’
Notable practitioners
Maria Riccio advises a broad client base on a range of pension issues, including those arising from transactions and reorganisations. Sources appreciate her ability to ‘explain complex matters in a way that clients and non-specialists can understand.’
Chambers UK - 2018 edition
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Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC311575 and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority under number 419867.
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