Sarah Opie | Lawyers

Admissions

UK (England & Wales)

Services

Pensions

Overview

Sarah leads the Linklaters Pensions Dispute Resolution Group. She advises trustees and corporates on issues identified in scheme documentation (including in the context of de-risking transactions) and the options to address these; on member complaints, including before the Pensions Ombudsman; on challenges to Trustee decisions; and on regulatory interventions by the Pensions Regulator.

Sarah also advises on non-contentious matters, and has significant de-risking experience, including buy-ins, buy-outs and longevity swaps.

Sarah’s non-contentious experience means that her advice on contentious matters is informed by a good understanding of the practical impact for the Scheme, and what it means for the Scheme in its broader context.

Experience

Verity Trustee Limited in proceedings related to questions arising from an extensive benefit review exercise which went to trial in February 2025 and lasted 6 weeks (the longest pensions trial covering legal questions only).
British Airways on its discretionary increase litigation with its pension trustees before the High Court and Court of Appeal and on the court approved settlement of the dispute.
Trustee of the BP Pension Fund on complaints raised by the BP Pensioner Group in connection with discretionary pension increases.
BBC in its appeal on the construction of the fetter in the scheme amendment power.
ITV on the ‘moral hazard’ case brought against them by the Pensions Regulator in connection with the Box Clever Pension Scheme and the settlement of that case.
Trustee of the 3i Group Pension Plan on a buy-in contract with L&G and on court proceedings on the restriction in the Plan amendment power.
Trustee of the SG UK Defined Benefit Pension Scheme on an error in the Scheme Rules and an application for correction by construction.
Trustee of the TUI GROUP UK Pension Trust on three buy-in policies with L&G covering £1.2bn liabilities
AXA Group Pension Scheme on a number of longevity swaps between 2015 and 2021
Trustee of the Societe Generale UK Group Money Purchase Scheme on the bulk transfer of money purchase benefits to a Master Trust and the wind-up of the pension scheme.

Beyond the office

Sarah is a member of the Association of Pension Lawyers and is a member of and Secretary to the APL Dispute Resolution Committee.

Recognition

Sarah is rated as a Leading Associate for Pensions: dispute resolution by Legal500 and Star Associate: Pensions Litigation by Chambers and Partners.

Admissions

Services

Overview

Experience

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Beyond the office

Recognition

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Experience