Speeding up the pensions row

Early resolution processes could ‘greatly speed up’ pensions disputes procedures, a pensions specialist has said.

James Bingham, partner at pensions specialist solicitors Sackers, said: ‘If a trustee board had the ability to transfer a matter into the early resolution process, even where a member did not want to, this could help to speed up the resolution of many of the complaints trustees receive.

‘Similarly, if a complaint has the potential to be resolved at an early stage, it may be helpful to have any, “without prejudice” discussions with the Pensions Ombudsman’s (TPO’s) advisers involved, although we do not think that details of these discussions should be made available to TPO in cases where early resolution fails.’

Bingham was responding to the Department for Work and Pensions consultation on ‘TPO: dispute resolution and jurisdiction’, which closed last week.

Writing in this week’s NLJ, meanwhile, solicitor Roderick Ramage offers advice to pension scheme employers and trustees on managing pension conflict.