Kris is a partner in our Pensions practice based in our London office. He advises employers and trustees on all aspects of the law relating to occupational pension schemes, with particular expertise in scheme funding, age and sex discrimination, and the employment aspects of pensions-related matters.

Kris has been ranked as a leader in his field by the legal directories consistently during the past decade, and has been described thus:

• "Meticulous and comprehensive, with first-class legal ability – he can explain pensions in layman's terms and delivers as if you need it yesterday", Chambers and Partners' Chambers UK 2003-04.
• "Demonstrates a superior knowledge of his field [and has] excellent client handling skills", Chambers and Partners' Chambers UK 2004-05.
• "Continues to win rapturous plaudits from clients", Chambers and Partners' Chambers UK 2005-06.
• "Has established a reputation for excellent service … keen to find solutions rather than problems", Chambers and Partners' Chambers UK 2006-07.
• "Strong choice for all matters", The Legal 500 UK 2007-08.
• "Great knowledge of pensions law", Chambers and Partners' Chambers UK 2008-09.

Kirs is also listed in the most recent publication of the Best Lawyers in the United Kingdom.

Kris is an elected member of the Main Committee of the Association of Pension Lawyers and previously served two terms as its Secretary, and a qualified member of the Pensions Management Institute. He also sits on the Editorial Board of PLC Pensions and is a contributing author of two publications, Tolley's "Pensions Law" and Tottel's "Trust Drafting & Precedents".

Representative Experience

• Advising a FT-SE 250 employer on the cessation of accrual in its two defined benefit occupational pension schemes, including prolonged negotiations with both trustees and trade unions and funding/covenant-related issues arising from subsequent investment underperformance.
• Advising the trustees of three separate schemes on the effectiveness (or otherwise) of historical attempts to equalise benefits as between males and females, the wider question of propriety of the purported amendments, and potential claims against advisers formerly involved with the schemes in question.
• Advising a Commonwealth government on the pensions aspects of a utility company privatisation, including the establishment of a tripartite risk-sharing mechanism between Government, Company and Investor and the implementation of offshore contingent asset arrangements in the pension scheme's favour.
• Advising the statutory independent trustee of various pension schemes on all matters concerning their wind-up, their entry into FAS or the PPF and potential recovery action against current or former participating employers