Image of Jane Higgins

Jane Higgins

Partner

Jane has a particular focus on pension schemes in the financial services sector.
Jane advises the trustees of a large UK bank on a wide range of issues including implementing large scale and overlapping rectification projects, using practical insight into how the schemes are run to advise how benefits can be rectified quickly and efficiently.
 
Jane also advises employers across sectors on pension change projects, working closely with experts in employment law and other areas to advise on significant benefit change projects.
 
Jane is a regular contributor to the wider pensions industry – she was previously a member of the APL’s Main Committee and was previously on its Education and Seminars Committee and the SPP’s PR and Legislation Committees.

Expertise

Experience

Representative matters

  • Employer client on litigation with pension scheme trustees regarding use of surplus in pension scheme and provision of discretionary pension increases.
  • Employer client on closing DB pension scheme to future accrual of benefits in highly unionised industry, where scheme rules would ordinarily restrict the ability to close.
  • Employer client on agreeing closure of DB pension scheme to future accrual via contractual agreement with union and employees.
  • Advising trustee client on first phase implementation of TCFD reporting, and remaining at the forefront of ESG investing.

Pro bono

  • Supporting employment charity with pro bono legal advice on a range of issues.

Speaking Engagements

Speaking at German Pensions Day (Dusseldorf) - 24/11/2016

Speaking at PMI - 10/5/2018

Participant in Law Debenture Debate - 14/05/2018

Speaking on GMP Equalisation at SPP Conference - 21/09/2018

Recognition

Jane Higgins has a remarkable breadth of experience; she is incredibly hard working, with unrivalled attention to detail, completely focused on delivering for clients.
Legal 500 UK 2021 (Pensions (Non-Contentious))
Her strengths are good technical knowledge, pragmatism and quick turnaround.
Chambers UK 2021 (Pensions)

Qualifications

Admissions

Admitted as solicitor, England and Wales, 2007

Law Society

Association of Pensions Lawyers

Academic

BA (Hons) Jurisprudence, Oxford University
Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.