Employment and pensions matters are closely connected to the success and stability of any organisation. Our nationally recognised team advises employers, trustees and pension providers on complex legal and regulatory challenges. Our strategic guidance helps organisations remain compliant and build workplaces fit for the future.
Our employment and pensions team combines deep technical expertise with a practical understanding of the sectors in which our clients operate. We advise a diverse range of organisations, including PLCs, private businesses, charities, registered providers and employers across the wider not-for-profit sector, drawing on extensive experience from both the public and private sectors. Our pensions clients include trustees and employers of pension schemes of all sizes.
The world of work is changing at pace. With the Employment Rights Act 2025 introducing the most significant reforms to workplace rights in a generation, employers are facing a rapidly evolving legal landscape. Combined with changing workforce expectations, skills shortages and new ways of working, organisations need clear, strategic advice to remain compliant while achieving their objectives. Alongside this, pensions challenges around funding, risk and governance continue to demand careful management. We help clients anticipate change, manage risk and seize opportunities with confidence.
Whether managing complex workplace issues, responding to regulatory developments, dealing with pensions liabilities and governance requirements, or supporting business transformation, our role is to provide practical, solutions-focused advice. We work alongside our clients to resolve issues before they escalate, navigate change effectively and deliver peace of mind when it matters most.
Employment and pensions
We offer comprehensive support in resolving employment and pension disputes, including issues related to breach of contract, unfair dismissal, discrimination and pension litigation. Our team provides clear, commercially focused advice, aiming to resolve matters efficiently and effectively, often without resorting to tribunal proceedings.
DisputesWe assist employers in developing and implementing effective diversity and inclusion strategies, ensuring compliance with legal requirements. Our services include conducting audits, advising on gender pay gap reporting, handling allegations of discrimination, and supporting the creation of well-being strategies to foster an inclusive workplace culture.
Equality and diversityWe guide organisations in adapting to flexible and agile working arrangements, addressing legal considerations such as contracts, health and safety, data protection and employee well-being. Our expertise in employment laws helps businesses navigate the evolving hybrid work landscape to meet the needs of employers and employees.
Flexible and agile workingWe provide clear and practical advice to help businesses navigate employee challenges, including managing technological change, negotiating contracts and terms, fostering an intergenerational workforce, delivering training and enhancing employee well-being. Our experienced team supports employers in developing efficient policies and procedures, and, when necessary, negotiating exits to maintain positive employee relations.
Managing peopleWe advise on all employment implications of mergers and acquisitions, such as how your people will be affected, relationships with unions, changes to terms and conditions of employment, secondments, pension liabilities, exiting colleagues, solutions to minimise risks during redundancy processes and assessment of potential claims that could arise.
Transactional supportOur pensions lawyers provide tailored, practical advice on managing pension scheme liabilities, including addressing future liabilities and managing past service legacy liabilities. We deliver innovative solutions to improve a scheme's funding levels and reduce risks, often involving corporate restructuring and a combination of liability management exercises.
Pensions liability managementWe support businesses in strategic planning. This includes preparing robust business cases, conducting equality impact assessments, reorganising or restructuring businesses, formal or informal consultation processes, changing terms and conditions of employment and addressing board-level issues and disputes. We aim to reduce risk and assist in making difficult decisions when implementing strategic people planning.
RestructuresOur experienced team provides comprehensive advice on all pensions-related matters, including funding and covenant issues, scheme design, governance and the termination and administration of pension arrangements. Our experts in pension law can offer strategic solutions to help clients effectively manage their pension schemes.
Strategic pensions adviceWe offer a commercial and pragmatic approach to TUPE, with extensive experience advising on transfers and related issues. Our team provides practical advice on all aspects of TUPE, ensuring compliance and addressing challenges to achieve the best outcomes for businesses.
TUPEWe assist employers and trustees in restructuring pension schemes, whether by changing the benefit structure, closing arrangements to further accrual of benefits, or winding up occupational pension schemes. Our guidance includes preparing effective consultation communications and implementing changes to deferred members' benefits and pensions in payment.
Pensions scheme benefits and structural changesWe provide clear, commercially focused legal guidance on employment and pensions law to a diverse range of organisations. Our lawyers are dedicated to delivering pragmatic solutions that protect your interests and support your specific strategic goals across the private, public and not-for-profit sectors.
With our lawyers located across locations globally, we can provide both international oversight and local expertise in equal measure.
Our impact has been recognised with many top-tier rankings in both the Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 directories.
Rebecca McGuirk, our partner and head of the Employment and Pensions group, has specialised in employment law for 30 years and has been consistently recognised for her work in all aspects of employment law.
Our testimonials
"The team we work with has taken the time to get to know our business and works with us around cases, taking into account the commercial decisions we need to make along with our risk appetite when advising on options. They run very good webinars to keep their clients up-to-date on the latest legislation and case law. Client service is excellent, with regular catch-ups to discuss the ongoing caseload and ETs.
"Trowers consistently reviews situations from a business perspective, providing a full overview of different solutions and possibilities, not simply grounded in law, but also in experience and cultural implications.
"The team identifies with the specific issues you are seeking to address and has a person and organisational-centred approach, which is hugely helpful when dealing with particularly challenging circumstances."– Legal 500, London Employment
"The department provide a strong blend of technical expertise, communication skills and a focus on our needs as the client." - Chambers, West Midlands Employment
Whether you are managing complex employee relations or navigating the future of your pension scheme, Trowers & Hamlins can help you. Our employment and pensions law experts are ready to act as your trusted partner, providing integrated, forward-thinking legal advice to help you build a resilient and successful workforce.
Contact us today to discuss how our tailored solutions can support you to navigate change with confidence.
Dismissal can be a serious legal issue. Whether an employer is looking to dismiss an employee due to poor conduct in the workplace, incapability or even redundancies, they must follow the right legal process and ensure that it is not an example of unfair dismissal.
An employment solicitor can help organise legal documents, ensure proper evidence and a fair process is being followed, with written records
Employees can take their claims to the Employment Tribunal when they have been treated unlawfully, whether that be over unfair dismissal, discrimination or unpaid wages. This is not always a deliberate wrongdoing by the employer. To avoid going down this route, employers can:
Ensure contracts and policies are regularly reviewed and updated to reflect current law or business operations, and clearly understand their employees' status and rights within those frameworks.
Put into place, and then follow, fair procedures to deal with disciplinary action, poor performance, grievances and absences.
Keep clear records to ensure decisions are documented and evidenced.
Seek legal advice promptly whenever a situation arises that could evolve into a claim.
Pensions lawyers help trustees with a wide range of issues. If trustees need any advice on how to manage their schemes, whether to update per new regulations, or if any issues arise in administering funds, a lawyer can provide legal advice to ensure they remain compliant and carry out their duties.
Employers can face penalties for not meeting compliance requirements, including warnings, notices, fines, and potentially criminal prosecution. It can also result in reputational damage, which can have long-lasting effects on businesses. Whether an employer thinks they have made a mistake or are late with making payments, they should seek legal advice straight away.
Employment and pensions
Knowledge Hub
On Tuesday 13 October we explored the proposed changes to the Acas Code of Practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures and what they could mean for employers.
Join us on Tuesday 13 October at 11.30am, when we’ll explore the proposed changes to the Acas Code of Practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures and what they could mean for employers.
Trowers & Hamlins has advised Smiths (Gloucester) Limited on its acquisition of a waste management business based in Oxfordshire from McCarthy Marland.
Thinking Business: The importance of EDI in recruitment and retention