I have over 20 years’ experience advising trustee and employer clients on a wide range of pensions issues for both DC and DB schemes. I have particular experience advising on master trusts (both DB and DC) and DB risk transfer. I sat on the Association of Pension Lawyers’ Legislative and Parliamentary committee for three years, during which time I contributed to the APL’s work commenting on the draft master trust legislation and various aspects of liaison with HMRC regarding tax problems.

Recent experience

• advising on buy-ins and buy-outs, including a large residual risk transaction involving a scheme with an unusually complex history of transfers in and benefit structures.
• advising on bulk transfers to DC and DB master trusts
• advising DC master trusts on aspects of the authorisation process and their interaction with the Pensions Regulator on this, as well as on subsequent supervision by the Pensions Regulator
• providing ongoing advice to a large industry-wide non-associated multi-employer scheme
• advising a DB trustee client on an investigation by TPR into the approach taken to its actuarial valuation and potential regulatory action
• advising schemes on GMP equalisation projects, both conversion and dual records methods
• advising on tax issues for pension schemes
• contributing to the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries’ paper on capital backed funding arrangements and developments in the alternative risk transfer market for DB schemes.

Qualified: 2004, England and Wales

Joined Sackers: 2010

Became partner: 2014

Testimonials

“Claire always provides clear, thoughtful and well-targeted advice.” – Chambers UK CMI Report

“We worked on a very complicated matter for a long time; Claire van Rees is an incredibly able lawyer. She is a great technician and good at finding creative and technical solutions to issues. Sackers can also bring in other members as required during a very intensive transaction.” – Chambers UK CMI Report

“They are very knowledgeable and approachable and they are good to bounce ideas off of back and forth with.” – Chambers UK CMI Report