Pension poll puts Pollard on top

Freshfields partner David Pollard has retained his place as the pre-eminent pensions lawyer in a poll of his peers.

However, Slaughter and May's Phillip Bennett was voted the 'richest' pensions practitioner.Pensions World magazine's survey of 35 top firms in the field identified Tim Cox of Linklaters, Mark Greenlees of Sacker & Partners, and Rowe & Maw's Stuart James as the next best all-round pensions lawyers.

Mr Pollard said it was satisfying to be recognised by fellow peers and emphasised how busy the area is with the increasing volume and complexity of pensions legislation.

He also pointed out the increasing role EC legislation will play in pension law.

'The discrimination directive currently under review includes a section on age discrimination,' he said.

'This could affect people with a pension scheme that allows for higher contributions, the older they are.'Other winners were John Quarrell of Nabarro Nathanson and Stephanie Smith of Travers Smith Braithwaite, sharing the award for 'most revolutionary' lawyer, while Mr Bennett was the 'richest' and 'toughest negotiator'.

The charm, looks and approachability category was jointly headed by Ms Smith, David Sloan (Allen & Overy), Jonathan Seres (Sackers) and Ruth Goodman (Linklaters).Rising pension law stars were Katie Banks (Lovells), Richard Evans (Rowe & Maw), Isobel France (Linklaters) and Alison Brown (Herbert Smith).

Ms Brown, made up as a partner this year, said: 'We are finding pensions lawyers a rare breed and currently demand outweighs supply.

Most firms have probably doubled the size of their pensions departments in recent times to keep up with the workload.'Meanwhile, accountants Horwath Clark Whitehill have warned that changes in pension regulation will affect law firm partners.

The abolition of 'carry forward' relief means that unused contributions from previous years cannot be added to the present capacity.

However, until 31 January 2002, it is possible to make a pension contribution and for tax purposes have it treated as a 2000/2001 contribution - a 'carry back' election.'Assuming the stock market returns to some level of stability over the next few months, it is likely that some partners will want to take advantage of this last chance to tax-effectively maximise their pensions contributions,' said Horwath's Louis Baker.

'Firms need to be liaising with partners to agree timings of cash outflows for pension contributions.'An additional change that partners are deemed to pay their pension contributions net of basic rate tax means that firms which retain tax reserves for partners need to update their calculations, Mr Baker added.Andrew Towler