Charlotte is a senior associate in our pensions team advising employers and trustees on all areas of pensions law. She qualified as a solicitor in 2012 and joined Osborne Clarke in April 2020.

Charlotte's experience covers advising on scheme mergers, transfers to master trusts, scheme closures, IDRP complaints and drafting scheme documentation.

She has particular expertise in pensions dispute matters, including acting for trustees, employers and representative beneficiaries in rectification, construction or declaratory proceedings. Charlotte has gained considerable trial experience in the High Court, Court of Appeal and the Court of Justice of the European Union. 

Charlotte also advises on pensions related professional negligence claims, and is a member of the Association of Pension Lawyers.

"Charlotte Stafford is excellent: very diligent and clever."

Legal 500

Helping you succeed in tomorrow's world

"I have a keen interest in decarbonisation and digitalisation and how this will impact pension schemes through climate change risk, the transition to net zero carbon and the need to adapt to new technologies." 

Work

Trustees of large utility company's pension scheme

Advised on the sale of an employer's subsidiary for over £3bn, helping to negotiate a significant payment into the scheme to account for the loss of covenant and in anticipation of a dividend being paid to shareholders.

Trustees of a global financial services company's pension scheme

Advised to help resolve a number of complex scheme issues relating to equalisation and the validity and interpretation of scheme amendments.

Trustees of a large utility company's pension scheme

Advised on the bulk transfer of a DC pension scheme to a master trust arrangement.

Representative Beneficiary

Advised the representative member in relation to a Part 8 application for directions concerning deferred revaluation.