Local Government Pension Scheme A specialist service · Government Pension Scheme, things rarely get more complex. That’s why, no matter whether you’re an administering authority,

Local Government Pension SchemeA specialist service

We take pride

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in our specialist knowledge

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“Pensions law is not a straightforward subject at the best of times and when it comes tounderstanding the laws that govern the LocalGovernment Pension Scheme, things rarely get more complex.

That’s why, no matter whether you’re anadministering authority, an employer in thescheme or a private contractor with an admissionagreement, you need clear advice and the hands-on support of a specialist legal team.

Our team offers the breadth of expertise, resource and experience to guide you through.”

Gary DelderfieldHead of Public Sector Pensions GroupEversheds [email protected]

“We are proud to have one of the mostcomprehensive pensions law services in the UK.Our growing team of over 60 specialist lawyersadvise on all aspects of pensions law relating toboth public and private sector arrangements. The size of our team allows our lawyers todevelop specialist interests. Our public sectorexperts, advise on all aspects of public sectorpensions, including local government, education,health and central government, and whennecessary are able to draw on other public sectorspecialists from within the firm. When youinstruct Eversheds you can be confident that you have a wealth of expertise at your disposal.”

Anthony ArterHead of PensionsEversheds [email protected]

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The team has expertise in all areas of LGPS work including:

• day-to-day pensions issues

• outsourcing and related issues, includingadmission agreements

• funding and investment

• disputes and litigation

• commercial contracts and procurement

• governance

• training and development.

Areas of expertise

“Working with Eversheds allows usready access to a wealth of expertiseand resources to enable us to providea fully rounded legal service to ourpension scheme.”

John Tradewell, Director of Law and Governance,Staffordshire County Council

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A dedicated team

“We have found Eversheds to be highly professional and knowledgeable,especially in the areas of LGPS and industrial disease cases. Timescalesare virtually always adhered to and key staff keep you informed as the work progresses. In addition, the scale of the firm means thatexpertise from other practice areas can be called upon when needed. We appreciate a firm that prioritises your issue, no matter the size or complexity of the problem.”

Annemarie Allen, Assistant Director Specialist Services, London Pensions Fund Authority

The law governing the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) is complex andevolving. As a result, both LGPS funds and employers alike increasingly need to seekspecialist legal advice.

At Eversheds, we have one of the largest, most experienced and wide-ranging pensionsteams in the UK. Within this team, we offer a group of lawyers dedicated to providingLGPS advice. Eversheds is also the leading law firm for local government law as a whole.This gives you a group of LGPS experts focused on your issues, who are also able to drawupon the broad knowledge and experience of our entire pensions team and the widerlocal government team. An all encompassing and unique service.

As specialists, each member of the team is up to speed on developments in the LGPS at all times and is there to help you meet the ongoing challenges you face – understandingthe issues and ensuring compliance. At Eversheds, we provide clear and effective adviceand guidance.

In short, whatever aspect of the LGPS you are dealing with, we have a multi-facetedteam equipped to advise and guide you on everything from day-to-day issuesthrough to complex projects. We are committed to fully understanding the specific situation and needs of each client, and providing bespoke advice to ensure a solution that fits every time within your budget.

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Expertise, resource and experience

Day-to-day pensions issues

The LGPS is a complicated scheme governed by numeroussets of interlinking regulations. Our experts are well placedto advise on all aspects of the LGPS, including:

• general benefit queries

• discretionary policy statements

• regulatory matters including tax and contracting-out

• wider compliance issues including data protection.

Outsourcing and related issues

Outsourcing of public sector employees is complex anddifferent issues arise depending on whether the contract is being let for the first time or is a re-let. Our LGPS teamhas expertise on all outsourcing issues from both a localauthority and private contractor perspective, including:

• initial advice at the procurement stage

• compliance with Fair Deal and Best Value AuthoritiesStaff Transfers (Pensions) Direction 2007

• drafting contractual provisions and other relevantdocuments including admission agreements and bonds.

Funding and investment

The LGPS is one of the few funded public sector pensionschemes. Pension scheme funding and investment arecomplicated issues which often require commercialsolutions. We have wide experience in both areas,including:

• ongoing funding issues for LGPS funds, for exampleemployer covenants, guarantees, bonds and liabilitiesunder admission agreements

• compliance with LGPS fund investment regulations

• reviewing investment management agreements, custodyagreements and investment policies as well as advisingon more specialist investments.

Disputes and litigation

Pension schemes tend to generate member and othercomplaints. The LGPS is no different to other schemes inthis regard. Our experts have experience in all types ofdisputes and litigation, including:

• member disputes ranging from minor complaints to internal dispute resolution procedure issues andPensions Ombudsman complaints

• formal High Court proceedings

• specialist claims such as judicial review and class actions.

Commercial contracts and procurement

LGPS funds enter into a wide range of commercial contractsin their own right. Whilst some contracts might be simpleand straightforward, often a procurement process must becompleted before the LGPS fund can enter the contract.The Eversheds team can advise in relation to all commercialcontract issues, including:

• tendering and procurement exercises

• drafting and contract negotiation

• breach of contract claims.

Governance

Governance issues are high on the agenda for LGPS funds. At Eversheds we have expertise in all aspects ofgovernance which are specific to the LGPS and localgovernment generally, including:

• pensions committee structure and delegation

• governance compliance statements

• advice on powers and vires issues.

Training and development

We provide tailored in-house training on a wide-range of LGPS-related issues, including:

• the duties and responsibilities of administeringauthorities

• outsourcing and admission agreements

• redundancy and restructuring exercises.

We are also involved in the wider aspects of the LGPS,such as consultation regarding changes to the scheme. We work closely with the Local Government PensionsCommittee, including speaking on their annualFundamentals training course.

“Personally, I have always considered Eversheds and pensions tobe synonymous. In training elected members responsible for localgovernment pensions, I have been more than comfortable usingGary Delderfield and his associates when it comes to the legalstuff, as they show an excellent understanding of the legalframework in which the Local Government Pension Schemeoperates and the duties and responsibilities of those responsiblefor LGPS funds.”

Tim Hazlewood, Training & Development Manager, Local Government Pensions Committee

“The advice was delivered in a comprehensive yet practical style,simplifying complex subject matter into manageable concepts.The Eversheds team portrayed a comprehensive knowledge andunderstanding of the LGPS.”

Bill Witter, Legal Services Director, Shaw Healthcare (Group) Ltd

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