The area of pensions and divorce is full of ‘elephant traps’, and family lawyers could face a rise in negligence cases unless they get to grips with it, the co-author of a good practice guide has warned.
The ‘Guide to the Treatment of Pensions on Divorce’, published this summer by the Pensions Advisory Group (PAG) advises that lawyers who feel out of their depth should refer the issue on to someone who knows rather than carry on. The area can be a fraught one for family lawyers, particularly where overseas pensions and tax implications are involved. Writing in this week’s NLJ, freelance journalist Grania Langdon-Down highlights some of the main concerns expressed by lawyers, including those who took part in a LexisNexis/Mathieson Consulting survey. George Mathieson of Mathieson Consulting Ltd said: ‘With increased attention being drawn to the value of pensions on divorce it is surprising to see that a significant number of legal professionals are not seeking the advice of a pensions expert, in cases where experts should be instructed.’
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