What does Governance mean? Governance, in pensions practice, describes how a trustee board organises itself and exercises oversight, decision-making and control over an occupational pension scheme to meet legal and fiduciary duties. It encompasses the scheme’s structures, policies and internal controls, and how trustees delegate to and supervise advisers, administrators and asset managers, monitor performance, manage risk and record decisions. The term is descriptive rather than a defined legal term, but key governance requirements are prescribed in legislation and regulatory codes. In the UK, the Pensions Act 2004 and scheme administration/governance regulations, together with The Pensions Regulator’s General Code, require an effective system...
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Driven by automatic enrolment (which obliges employers to provide some pension provision for their staff) and the expense and regulatory burden of defined benefit (DB) arrangements, workplaces have increasingly shifted towards defined contribution (DC) benefits. DC schemes deliver money purchase benefits, as set out in the Pension Schemes Act 1993, s 181 (see Practice Note: Money purchase benefits—the statutory definition). In contrast to DB schemes, DC arrangements fix the contributions paid by employers and employees, but the benefits themselves are not predetermined. Outcomes chiefly depend on the level of contributions from both parties, the investment performance of those contributions, and the scheme’s charges. For employers, costs are steadier and more predictable, because employees shoulder the risk that benefits may fall short if investments underperform. However, the DC workplace market’s development did not secure minimum quality standards for DC members, prompting worries about members’ retirement outcomes. Accordingly, there has been a mounting regulatory effort to ensure that DC workplace pension schemes are governed effectively, with a focus on minimum quality standards and better retirement outcomes for DC members. Benefits also depend on contributions paid in, the investment growth achieved, and the charges applied by the scheme...
When evaluating a general damages claim, the practitioner ought initially to refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG)...
This Practice Note This Practice Note reviews mechanisms used in settling litigation. A Tomlin order consists of a consent order paired with a schedule. It operates to stay proceedings on terms that have been agreed. The provisions contained in the schedule may remain confidential. This Practice Note describes the scope of confidentiality attaching to the schedule and sets out how it differs from a standard consent order. Sample wording for a Tomlin order is included, alongside links to precedents, as well as guidance on court approval. It also addresses varying, setting aside and enforcing a Tomlin order, including the considerations the court will take into account when handling applications for each. Further guidance is provided on interpreting and applying the relevant provisions of the CPR; however, some courts and divisions impose very specific requirements for both drafting and approval, and for approaching the schedule and confidentiality issues. Accordingly, you must consider the particular rules and court guide provisions in the forum where your claim is proceeding when drawing up the Tomlin order...
Date [ date ] Parties [ name of Landlord ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Landlord) [ name of Tenant ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Tenant) [ [ name of Guarantor ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Guarantor) ] [ [ name of Mortgagee ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Mortgagee) ] Definitions Within this Deed, the terms below shall be interpreted as follows: [ Annual Rent • the annual sum reserved under the Lease; ] [ Insurance Rent • the Tenant’s share of the Landlord’s costs of insuring the Property (as set out in the Lease); ] Lease • the lease of the Property dated [ date ], entered into between (1) [ the Landlord OR [ name ...
I, [ name ], of [ address ], solemnly and sincerely state that: [ Matters to be verified, set out in numbered paragraphs ] I make this solemn statement in good conscience, believing it to be true, and pursuant to the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835. DECLARED at [ details ] this [ day ] day of [ month and year ] Before me ................................................................................ [ signature of the person before whom the declaration is made ] A [ commissioner for oaths OR [ solicitor OR [ insert other qualification ] ] authorised to administer oaths ]...