About Us
The APL is an association of more than 1100 lawyers who practise pension law in the UK. Our members include, to our knowledge, all of the leading legal practitioners in the field.
The APL began life in 1984, principally as a forum for exchanging ideas amongst lawyers advising in a relatively new legal specialism. As we have grown as a professional body and the field of pensions law has become more established, we have extended our range of activities. We are not a political organisation, and do not comment on pension policy, but we engage with Government on various initiatives, providing practical experience and technical input on legislation and regulatory guidance.
Conferences: Our two-day annual conference is regularly attended by more than 250 lawyers. We promote regular conferences on current topics throughout the year, including a one-day summer conference, introductory courses (for newly-qualified lawyers and also for trainees) and courses on specialist subjects such as investment, pension litigation and the pension aspects of company sales and purchases.
Education: We also hold regular case law seminars, workshops on various topics and a prestige lecture from one of the leading exponents in the industry.
Organisation: The APL has no paid officers and no paid secretariat. It is a non-profit making organisation, governed by a Constitution, and consisting principally of a Main Committee and the following seven sub-comittees:
- Communications
- Education and Seminars
- International
- Investment
- Legislative and Parliamentary
- Pensions Litigation
- Public Sector
The APL is run by its Main Committee, supported by the various sub-committees. Further details on how they operate can be found on the committees page of this site.
Regional groups: The APL also has a number of regional groups, which seek to further the APL's objectives in the various provincial regions and commercial centres of the UK. The various groups cover:
- the Midlands Region
- the North East Region
- the North West Region
- the South West Region
- the Scottish Group
Website: Details of the APL's activities, including how to join, how to attend our various events, and how to become more involved with the APL itself, are to be found on this website. The site is updated regularly, and provides a valuable additional service to all pension lawyers.
Claire Carey, Chair
Past APL Chairs Period of office
| Hywel Robinson | 2019-2021 |
| Katie Banks | 2017-2019 |
| Rosalind Connor | 2015-2017 |
| Anna Rogers | 2013-2015 |
| Mark Atkinson | 2011-2013 |
| Pauline Sibbit | 2009-2011 |
| Alastair Meeks | 2007-2009 |
| Derek Sloan | 2005-2007 |
| Tim Cox | 2003-2005 |
| David Pollard | 2001-2003 |
| Robert West | 1999-2001 |
| Mark Greenlees | 1997-1999 |
| Ken Dierden | 1995-1997 |
| Stuart James | 1993-1995 |
| Ian Pittaway | 1991-1993 |
| John Quarrell | 1990-1991 |
| Tony Thurnham | 1988-1990 |
| Jonathan Seres | 1985-1988 |
| Harriet Dawes | 1984-1985 |
Wallace Medal
The Wallace Medal was inaugurated in 1992. It is named after Keith Wallace and honours his contribution to the development of pensions literature, not least his editorship for many years of our Pension Lawyer journal.
The medal is awarded for meritorious work in communicating and explaining legal issues affecting pensions, employee benefits and employment. The Main Committee of the APL decides on the award, and the winner is presented with a silver medal.
Wallace Medal recipients Year
| Duncan Buchanan | 2021 |
| Philip Bennett | 2020 |
| Philip Stear | 2018 |
| Edward Brown | 2017 |
| David Pollard | 2015 |
| Rosalind Connor | 2014 |
| Nabarros Pension Team (Jennifer Bell) | 2013 |
| Andrew Powell | 2010 |
| Nigel Inglis-Jones QC | 2008 |
| Jonathan Seres | 2007 |
| Ian Greenstreet | 2004 |
| Chris Mullen | 2003 |
| Alastair Meeks | 2002 |
| Mark Grant | 2001 |
| Hugh Arthur | 2000 |
| Keith Wallace | 1999 |
| David Pollard | 1998 |
| Philip Bennett | 1996 |
| Robin Ellison | 1994 |
| Jonathan Seres | 1993 |
| APL Barber Committee | 1992 |
| (Harriet Dawes and Belinda Benney) |
Main Committee Award for Outstanding Contribution to the APL
The Main Committee (or MC) Award for Outstanding Contribution to the APL was inaugurated in 2021. The Main Committee of the APL decides on the award, and the winner is presented with a silver medal.
Main Committee Award recipient Year
| Rowan Howard | 2021 |
Annual conference venues Year
| Brighton | 2021 |
| Edinburgh | 2019 |
| Belfast | 2018 |
| Manchester | 2017 |
| Budapest | 2016 |
| Brighton | 2015 |
| Birmingham | 2014 |
| Milan | 2013 |
| Newcastle | 2012 |
| Lisbon | 2011 |
| Manchester | 2010 |
| Edinburgh | 2009 |
| Barcelona | 2008 |
| Glasgow | 2007 |
| Amsterdam | 2006 |
| Bristol | 2005 |
| EuroDisney, Paris | 2004 |
| Frankfurt | 2003 |
| Edinburgh | 2002 |
| Brighton | 2001 |
| Jersey | 2000 |
| EuroDisney, Paris | 1999 |
| Bournemouth | 1998 |
| Edinburgh | 1997 |
| Leeds | 1996 |
| Bruges | 1995 |
| Bristol | 1994 |
| Chester | 1993 |
| Jersey | 1992 |
| Dublin | 1991 |
| Edinburgh | 1990 |
| Bath | 1989 |
| York | 1988 |