Chris Edwards-Earl

Managing associate

Chris specialises in helping clients to resolve complex contentious issues concerning pension schemes, trust funds, and their advisors. He has considerable experience acting for trustees and employers, representative beneficiaries, as well as in high-value professional negligence actions.

Chris has advised clients extensively on a range of matters concerning the funding of pension schemes; the Pension Regulator's moral hazard regime; the construction and rectification of trust documents; pension claims in insolvency; and, breach of contract and professional negligence claims.

He is experienced in submissions to the High Court and Court of Appeal dealing with the construction of pensions legislation and documentation, as well as working with clients to resolve their disputes through mediation.

Chris has particular experience working with clients who have a global presence and international concerns, particularly Canada and the US.

Chris is a qualified solicitor-advocate, having attained his Higher Rights of Audience, and is a member of the Association of Pension Lawyers.

 

He is very strong in terms of presenting a case, establishing the extent of the risk exposure of his clients and how to deal with that.

Chambers UK 2021
Insights

Court declares change of RPI to CPIH lawful

A number of pension funds have challenged the decision of the then-Chancellor and the UKSA to align RPI with CPIH. In this alert we discuss the outcome of that challenge and the impact of the decision on defined benefit pension schemes.

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Employment tribunal case highlights growing pressures on member nominated trustees

Writing for Professional Pensions, managing associate Chris Edwards-Earl analyses a recent employment tribunal case, Folarin v Transport for London. In the piece, Chris explains how the case highlights the growing pressures on member nominated trustees, and why it illustrates that the growth of professional trusteeship is set to continue. (£)

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TPR’s consultation on consolidated draft enforcement policy and updated prosecution policy aims to provide greater transparency on enforcement and prosecution

Pensions analysis: The Pensions Regulator (TPR) has published its consultation response and draft enforcement policy, consolidating previous policies and helping to make the enforcement powers clearer through more streamlined policy documents. Following the response, TPR has launched a further consultation on its draft enforcement and prosecution policy. Chris Edwards-Earl, senior associate at Stephenson Harwood analyses the consultations and its implications for pensions schemes.

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