Mark Smith – Partner

Mark is a partner in the Employment and Pensions Practice Group and he specialises in pensions law.  He is recognised by Legal 500 and described as combining “speedy turn around times” with “meticulous attention to detail” – Legal 500 2009.

Mark is experienced at advising employers and trustees on the full range of pensions issues.  He has acted in relation to a wide range of schemes, including those of FSTE 100 companies, public sector bodies and charities.  He has also acted as a trustee of various schemes through a trustee company.

Mark's recent work includes:

• acting for a professional trustee company in a seminal case clarifying the extent to which the existence of the Pension Protection Fund affects trustees' duties, powers and decision-making (Independent Trustee Services Limited v Hope and others).
• advising employers and trustees in relation to closing schemes to new entrants and accrual, and in relation to other steps that reduce pension liabilities.
• advising employers and trustees on scheme funding and investment issues, including the use of contingent assets.
• advising employers and trustees as to whether steps taken to 'equalise' normal retirement ages and benefits as between men and women are fully effective.
• acting for a professional trustee company in its investigations into alleged frauds by previous trustees of several schemes, its court claims in that regard and action to recover the assets of the schemes (Independent Trustee Services Limited v GP Noble Trustees Limited and Others).

Mark is a member of the Association of Pension Lawyers (APL).  He is a regular speaker at pensions events and courses, including those organised by the APL and by commercial training companies.  Mark has also had a number of articles published.

Taylor Wessing Practices

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