Employment, Pensions & Immigration

Navigating employment and pensions matters requires a comprehensive approach. Clients turn to our multidisciplinary team for both litigation and advisory support, benefiting from over 30 years of experience. We provide a 'full service' legal function, known for clear and commercial advice that aligns with market practice.

Our team of over 40 lawyers covers key jurisdictions in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, offering integrated cross-border solutions. We address complex challenges with sensible strategies, ensuring clients achieve operational peace of mind and competitive advantage. Whether dealing with litigation or advisory matters, our expertise spans the full spectrum of employment and pensions issues, including business immigration matters and employee incentives.

‘

They have an excellent handle on complex matters and are able to distil things into simple English.’

Chambers & Partners (UK) Employee Incentives 2025

Clients choose us for our ability to deliver tailored, commercially focused advice that reflects their unique needs. Our collaborative approach ensures seamless support across borders, making us a trusted partner in navigating the ever-changing landscape of employment and pensions law.

Our Services

We design and roll out HR policies, review executive pay, co-ordinate employment cost-cutting exercises and advise on contentious employment issues.

Learn more about our Employment team.

Navigating pension obligations can be complex, but our team of experts is here to simplify the process. We support trustee boards, employers, charities, and public bodies in meeting their pension commitments with tailored solutions. We also have a thriving Pensions Disputes practice, which is recognised as a leader in the field of pensions litigation. Whether setting up, reconstructing or closing down pension schemes, or facing a dispute, we focus on protecting your interests.

Learn more about our Pensions and Pensions Disputes teams.

We have an excellent team who specialise in all UK inbound immigration visa categories, including private and business immigration. Our immigration team are also able to assist with administrative reviews, immigration appeals and judicial review claims.

Learn more about our Immigration team.

Our team are experts at designing bespoke remuneration structures to suit clients' specific objectives.

Learn more our Employee Incentives team.

Awards and Recognition

The Legal 500 UK 2025

Tier 1 – Pensions Disputes. "Stephenson Harwood are innovative, creative and solutions focused. Their advice goes far beyond the purely legal... They are actively involved in many of the reported pensions cases and their first hand experience with these cases is invaluable."

Chambers & Partners (Global) UAE Employment 2025

"The firm is able to understand exactly what is required, interpret the matter in a commercial manner and provide comprehensive and comprehensible reasoning, logic and rationale."

The Legal 500 UK Employment 2025

"The team are extremely efficient - in a profession where 'time is money', I have always received very astute (and prompt) guidance on a range of options in any given situation."

The Legal 500 UK Pensions 2025

"The team at Stephenson Harwood is knowledgeable, pragmatic and engaging. They put themselves in the client's position and explain things without the use of excessive jargon. They don't sit on the fence; and provide guidance and advice to ensure robust decisions are made."