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SIPPs: Self-invested Personal Pensions 

With growing regulatory and political scrutiny of and interest in SIPPs and pension capital, the landscape for personal pension schemes is changing significantly. As one of the only city firms with a dedicated Wealth Management Regulatory practice, DWF is uniquely well placed in supporting SIPP operators throughout their lifecycle and daily operations.

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Why work with our SIPP team?

We recognise that SIPP operators face a number of different and competing requirements that range from the 'one-off' large technical and complex projects that arises from operating in a highly regulated sector compared to the volume and 'simpler' business as usual ("BAU") tasks that arise from administering SIPPs. For that reason, we have designed and built our practice to manage all types of tasks and projects so that we genuinely provide a one stop shop:

We pride ourselves on becoming an integral part of our clients' teams, fostering strong working relationships, and effectively handling all matters that arise as part of our clients' businesses. Our expertise ensures that we can help you navigate the complexities and realities of administering and running your SIPP business.

How we can help you

More specific examples of our experience can be found here

  • Civil and Criminal Disputes, Complaints  and Litigation 
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    Civil and Criminal Disputes, Complaints  and Litigation 

    • Member Complaints
    • Financial Ombudsman Service and Pensions Ombudsman complaints
    • Litigation, complaints and claims including in relation to property, provider contracts and wider commercial disputes 
    • Criminal investigations and defence
    • Engagement with the Serious Fraud Office, National Crime Agency and other police agencies 
    • Supporting on issues relating to financial crime and sanctions including fraud, money laundering and bribery 
    • Debt Recovery Assistance (both Volume and Complex) 
    • Pensions aspects of wider disputes including in relation to employment, discrimination, divorce and damages claims
    • Court applications for directions 
  • Proposition Advice, Design and Support 
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    Proposition Advice, Design and Support 

    • Drafting and amending scheme governing documents and policies
    • Accumulation and decumulation products and solutions
    • Terms of business and other client facing documents
    • Advising on advisor and other provider agreements and terms of business
    • Member communications, support in providing required information at key milestones (approach to retirement, transfers etc)
    • Transfers out and carrying out appropriate diligence
    • Transfers-in  
    • Auto-enrolment and direct payment relationships




  • Pension Assets and Platforms 
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    Pension Assets and Platforms 

    • Platform agreements
    • Dealing with Distressed / Toxic Assets (see also Engagement with HMRC)
    • Structuring ownership of real property 
    • Management, maintenance and insurance of real property
    • Legal considerations around valuation of assets 
    • Loans and mortgages 
    • Forfeiture
    • FSCS assignments and related issues
    • Property Disputes
    • Rent Reviews 
    • Repossession 
  • M&A, Consolidation, Distressed Acquisitions and Restructuring Advice
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    M&A, Consolidation, Distressed Acquisitions and Restructuring Advice

    • Legal and Regulatory due diligence 
    • Acquisition of SIPP Books 
    • Acquiring ownership of a SIPP provider and trustees
    • Distressed acquisition advice (buy and sell side)
    • Transfer of scheme assets and associated member and third party comms
    • Transfer of staff 
    • Support on legal issues arising out of reconciling historic systems and legacy matters
    • Harmonising governing documents and systems and procedures post transactions. 
    • Insolvency and Restructuring Advice:
      • Director dutie
      • Entering administration
      • Wind down planning
    • Advising throughout an insolvency process  
     
  • Regulatory Engagement, Intervention and Investigations
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    Regulatory Engagement, Intervention and Investigations

    • FCA or HMRC Investigation and/or Supervisory action and intervention.
    • FCA authorisation,  approvals, registration including business plans and application documents
    • Advice on remediation and change projects
    • Day to day engagement with FCA and FSCS
    • Engagement with HMRC including in  respect of:
      • registration and deregistration
      • unauthorised payment
      • toxic assets
      • scheme sanction charges 
      • surcharges
    • Engagement with HMLR over scheme property issues including engaging its Active Management Service 

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Get in touch with a member of our team by using the details below or completing the form.
T +44 333 320 2220
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+44 333 320 4440

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