James is a Partner in the Pensions team.
He has experience in advising both private and public sector clients on various matters.
James has significant experience advising trustees and employers on a wide range of issues, including liability management exercises (such as pension increase exchanges, scheme closures and enhanced transfer value exercises), corporate transactions (including use of flexible apportionment arrangements and scheme mergers) and the impact of GDPR on pension schemes. He has particular experience in advising on buy-ins/outs and has been involved in developing the firm’s Pathway product, which provides pre-negotiated contractual terms with the main insurers.
He also has broad experience in advising public sector clients, particularly in relation to outsourcing projects involving the Local Government Pension Scheme and mergers/restructurings within the public sector.
Latest News
- advising an LGPS pension fund on complex funding agreements on the exit of an employer, including agreeing a repayment plan with accompanying charges over property
- advising the trustees of a hybrid scheme on the transfer of its DC section to a master trust and the buyout of its DB liabilities
- advising the trustees of a non-associated multi-employer scheme on the creation of a process to deal with employers that change their legal status (including using standardized flexible apportionment arrangements) and the recovery of unpaid section 75 debts
- advising the trustees of a defined benefit on setting up an escrow account for deferred deficit repair contributions
- advising a large corporate on the proposed capping of pensionable pay and removal of a CARE underpin for future service and the introduction of a bridging pension option in connection with a voluntary severance program
- Associate to watch – Chambers
- Graduate Diploma in Law and Legal Practice Course, College of Law Birmingham, 2007-2009
- BA, Philosophy and Theology, University of Oxford, 2004-2007