Keith Bryant KC

Year of Call:
1991
Year of Silk:
2013
Direct Access:
Yes

Keith Bryant KC’s wide experience includes advising and acting for commercial and public sector organisations, trustees, government departments and agencies, individuals and unions.

His practice is focused on pensions law and employment law and the areas of overlap between the two. He is also increasingly involved in cases with a financial services aspect.

Keith has been recommended by Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 for pensions and employment law for many years with Legal 500 stating that he “brings a very wide range of expertise and experience to his advice, and his ability to deal with both complex employment and pensions matters is invaluable.”

Keith is regularly instructed in the High Court (Chancery and King’s Bench Divisions, including Commercial Court and Administrative Court), the Employment Appeal Tribunal and the Appellate Courts, both in England and Wales and also in Northern Ireland. He has been involved in a number of matters before the Determinations Panel of the Pensions Regulator, the Security Vetting Appeals Panel, the Pensions Ombudsman and other specialist tribunals.

Keith has extensive experience of mediation and arbitration proceedings, both as advocate and as mediator. He also undertakes internal disciplinary and grievance investigations for a number of clients. He is able to accept instructions on a direct access basis.

Keith writes and lectures regularly on pension, employment and other commercial topics. He is co-author of National Security, Law, Practice and Procedure (OUP, 2021).

Keith sat as a fee-paid employment judge for nearly two decades. He also has security vetting to Developed Vetting level.

Keith is a Head of Chambers (Head of the Business Team).

Expertise

Keith’s pensions practice covers both contentious and non-contentious work. He acts for and advises a wide range of clients including trustees, employers, scheme advisers, government departments and agencies, and trade unions. He has also acted for representative beneficiaries in a number of recent cases in the High Court and Court of Appeal. Keith has particular expertise in statutory pension schemes and regularly advises in relation to the police, firefighters’, teachers’, NHS and local government pension schemes. He also has extensive recent experience of equalisation, rectification and age discrimination claims.

Recent / current work includes a number of construction / rectification claims, advising on various RPI/CPI and GMP equalisation issues, and a number of ongoing professional negligence claims.

Notable Pensions cases


Britvic Pension Plan and Britvic PLC v Britvic Pensions Limited and Mr Simon Mohun [2020] EWHC 118 (Ch)

Beattie and others v 20-20 Trustee Services Limited

Acting for the Respondent in a multi-claimant claim for age discrimination concerning statutory reduction of pension benefits during a PPF assessment period. The ET (on 19 January 2022) gave judgment on a novel point of jurisdiction, holding that Article 3 of the Equality Act (Age Exceptions) Order 2010 is incompatible with EU law and must be disapplied.

CMG Ltd v CMG Pension Trustees Ltd and another [2021] EWHC 1171 (Ch)

Rectification of pension scheme rules.

Legal & General Group PLC v Legal & General Pension Fund Trustee Ltd and others (February 2021)

Acting for two representative beneficiaries in highly complex claim for rectification involving two separate pension schemes and 13 pension scheme instruments.

SPS Technologies Ltd v Moitt and others [2020] EWHC 2 421 (Ch), [2021] PLR 6

Rectification of successive versions of pension scheme rules involving unusual unilateral amendment power.

Britvic PLC v Britvic Pensions Ltd and another [2020] EWHC 118 (Ch), [2020] PLR 11, [2021] EWCA Civ 867, [2022] 2 All ER 457, [2021] ICR 1648, [2022] IRLR 537, [2021] Pens LR

Complex case concerning pension increase provision in scheme rules, and involving corrective construction arguments and true meaning of section 51(3) of the Pensions Act 1995.

Carter v Chief Constable of Essex and another [2020] EWHC 77 (QB)

Successfully resisted human rights and age discrimination challenge to exclusion of widows of post-retirement marriages from widow’s benefits under the police pension scheme for pre-1978 pensionable service.

Waterford Foods (UK) Group Pension Scheme (December 2019)

Compromise approval hearing in contested High Court rectification claim.

Re ColArt Pension Scheme [2019] EWHC 3081 (Ch), [2020] PLR 3

Rectification of pension increase provisions of pension scheme rules.

R (Carter) v Chelmsford Crown Court and another [2019] EWHC 1484 (Admin), [2019] ICR 1470

Appeal in police pension case challenging denial of widow’s benefits on basis that the wife married the police officer after his retirement from police service in 1977. Divisional Court held that the Crown Court had no jurisdiction to hear an appeal concerning contingent benefits.

Williams v Swansea University Pension & Assurance Scheme Trustees [2018] UKSC 65, [2019] 1 WLR 93, [2019] 2 All ER 1031, [2019] ICR 230, [2019] IRLR 306, [2019] PLR 11

Successfully resisted appeal to Supreme Court in first ever appellate case on meaning of section 15 of the Equality Act 2010 in claim of disability discrimination concerning the calculation of ill health retirement benefits.

Williams v Swansea University Pension & Assurance Scheme Trustees [2017] EWCA Civ 1008, [2018 ICR 233, [2017] PLR 19

Continuing to act for, and successfully resisting appeal on behalf of, employer and trustees in claim of disability discrimination concerning the calculation of ill health retirement benefits.

Rockwool Ltd v Rockwool Trustees Ltd & Another (No. 2) (September 2017)

Acting for representative beneficiary in the compromise of a further Part 8 claim as to whether Courage-type fetter on amendment power prevented severance of final salary link and/or created underpin.

Dalriada Trustees Limited v Goldsmith (June 2017)

Acting for representative beneficiary in novel and complex Beddoe application concerning pension liberation case.

Rockwool Ltd v Rockwool Trustees Ltd & Another (November 2015)

Acting for representative beneficiary in compromise of a claim concerning attempts since the 1980s to equalise a scheme’s normal retirement ages and to close the scheme to future accrual.

Swansea University Pension & Assurance Scheme Trustees v Williams [2015] ICR 1197, [2015] IRLR 885, [2015] PLR 489

Acting jointly for employer and trustees resisting a claim of disability discrimination concerning the calculation of ill health retirement benefits.

United Dairy Farmers Ltd v Department of Agriculture & Rural Development [2014] NICh 22

Acting for the administrators of the Northern Irish local government pension scheme in a case concerning funding of pension benefits following the abolition of the NI Milk Marketing Board.

Archer v Travis Perkins Plc [2014] EWHC 1362 (Ch), [2014] PLR 311

Acting for representative beneficiary in a large and complex Part 8 claim concerning the equalisation of a pension scheme.

MAN Truck & Bus UK Ltd v Whitaker & Others (2013) Chancery Division

Acting for the representative beneficiary in a claim for rectification of pension scheme documentation.

R (London Fire & Emergency Planning Authority) v Board of Medical Referees & Others [2012] EWHC 3828 (Admin)

Judicial review by LFEPA in relation to medical retirement under the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme.

Industrial Acoustics Co Ltd v Crowhurst [2012] EWHC 1614 (Ch), [2012] PLR 371

Acting for the representative beneficiary in a claim for rectification of pension scheme rules.

Pioneer GB Ltd v Webb & Others [2011] EWHC 2683 (Ch), [2011] PLR 425

Acting for the trustees in a claim for rectification of pension scheme documentation.

Foster Wheeler v Hanley & Others [2009] EWCA Civ 651, [2010] ICR 374

Acting for a representative beneficiary in a claim relating to impact of European equal pay law on a UK pension scheme.

Marrion & Others v London Fire & Emergency Planning Authority & Others [2009] EWCA Civ 450

Keith’s practice in employment law includes both advisory work and litigation and he appears regularly in the EAT and the High Court and Appellate Courts. His clients range from individuals to large private and public sector employers, including government departments and agencies. His expertise covers all aspects of employment law, including restrictive covenants, equal pay, discrimination of all types, TUPE and a particular niche specialisation in national security and vetting cases.

Recent / current work includes acting in a number of public sector pension reform challenges (including those involving police and doctors), a number of equal pay claims (including the mass claimant case against Tesco), advising and acting for and against various financial institutions in London and Hong Kong, and appearing in a number of ongoing national security cases.

Notable Employment cases


Aarons and others v Home Secretary and others / Scottish Ministers and others

Acting for 15,000 police officers in England, Wales and Scotland in a challenge to the transitional protection given to some officers when the 2015 Police Pension Scheme was introduced. The claims being pursued are for direct age discrimination, indirect race and sex discrimination and equal pay.

McIntosh and others v HM Prison and Probation Services

Another multi-claimant age discrimination claim arising from the 2015 public sector pension reforms. These combined cases were brought against HM Prison Service and HM Probation Service.

Element v Tesco Stores (Rated As Equivalent appeal): [2022] EAT 165, [2023] ICR 208, [2023] IRLR 102. K v Tesco Stores EU:C:2021:429 (CJEU reference): [2021] 3 CMLR 33, [2021] ICR 1524, [2021] IRLR 699. Tesco Stores v Element (Disclosure appeal): UKEAT/0228/20, 13 January 2021

Acting for 5,000 Tesco retail employees in their claims for equal pay in which they compare themselves with their distribution colleagues who receive a significantly higher rate of pay.

Ibrahim v HCA International Ltd [2019] EWCA Civ 2007

Appeal concerning correct test for subjective / objective elements of belief required under whistleblowing provisions of Employment Rights Act 1996.

Williams v Swansea University Pension & Assurance Scheme Trustees [2018] UKSC 65, [2019] 1 WLR 93, [2019] 2 All ER 1031, [2019] ICR 230, [2019] IRLR 306, [2019] PLR 11

Successfully resisted appeal to Supreme Court in first ever appellate case on meaning of section 15 of the Equality Act 2010 in claim of disability discrimination concerning the calculation of ill health retirement benefits.

Ibrahim v HCA International Ltd [2019] IRLR 690

The EAT held that the whilstleblowing provisions of the Employment Rights Act 1996 were broad enough to include a disclosure of information that there had been a breach of tortious duties, including defamation.

Gunny v Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation and ors [2018] UKEAT/0241/17/DA

Novel appeal concerning employment status of a group of radiologists providing services to a private healthcare company. Claimant not employed within extended sense under the Equality Act 2010 since group as whole contracted to provide services but no obligation on any individual member of the group.

Swansea University Pension & Assurance Scheme Trustees v Williams [2017] EWCA Civ 1008, [2018] ICR 233, [2017] IRLR 882

Continuing to act for, and successfully resisting appeal on behalf of, employer and trustees in claim of disability discrimination concerning the calculation of ill health retirement benefits.

Asda Stores Ltd v Brierley [2016] EWCA Civ 566, [2016] ICR 945, [2016] IRLR 709

Successfully resisting appeal by employer from ET and EAT findings that ET had no power to stay equal pay proceedings and effectively compel claimants to proceed in High Court.

Sullivan-Tigue v Kent County Council (March 2016)

Acting for defendant employer resisting injunction application from suspended headteacher seeking to prevent continuance of disciplinary proceedings.

Swansea University Pension & Assurance Scheme Trustees v Williams [2015] ICR 1197, [2015] IRLR 885

Acting for employer and trustees resisting a claim of disability discrimination concerning the calculation of ill health retirement benefits.

CD v HMRC [2014] ICR D1

National Security procedures.

Deakin & Others v Kuehne & Nagel Drinks Logistics Ltd [2012] EWCA Civ 22, [2012] IRLR 513

Construction of nationwide collective agreement.

Key2Law (Surrey) LLP v De’Antiquis [2011] EWCA Civ 1567, [2012] ICR 881, [2012] IRLR 212

Regulation 8(7) of TUPE

Whether UK administration can ever fall within regulation 8(7) insolvency exception – this was the further appeal in the OTG v Barke case reported at [2011] ICR 781, [2011] IRLR 272, EAT.

Spaceright Europe Ltd v Baillavoine [2011] EWCA Civ 1565, [2012] ICR 520, [2012] IRLR 111

Meaning of ‘reason connected with the transfer’ in regulation 7(1) of TUPE and ambit of ETOR defence when dismissal by administrators to make business more attractive to potential purchasers.

Vickers v London Fire & Emergency Planning Authority [2011] EWCA Civ 494, [2011] ICR D24

Construction of fire authority collective agreement.

Related updates

Keith Bryant KC is regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and holds a current practising certificate. If you are not satisfied with the service provided, please click here.

"Keith is exemplary, working tirelessly as part of a team and individually. The clients are both impressed and reassured by his advice."

Employment, Chambers & Partners 2024

"Keith Bryant is very technically able and provides high levels of client service. He is very easy to work with and extremely personable and friendly; Keith is very much part of the team."; "Keith has produced written advice on super technical points that he has managed to set out in the most straightforward easy to read manner. Lay trustees picked up the opinion and understood the point without further explanation. This is testament to Keith's user friendly nature."

Pensions, Chambers & Partners 2024

‘Excellent knowledge and practical advice in relation to employment and pension law cross-over area; very clear exposition for lawyers and the lay client alike.’

Pensions, Legal 500, 2024

'A tour de force practitioner.'

Employment, Legal 500, 2024

“Keith is an excellent silk with a comforting confidence.”

Employment, Chambers and Partners 2023

“Keith tailors his advice and approach to suit the needs of the client and his opinions are always well thought out and easy to follow.”

Pensions, Chambers and Partners 2023

“Keith is a very personable barrister. He is down to earth in his approach, and with that, is very accessible.”

Pensions, Chambers and Partners 2023

“Keith is able fully to understand subject matter being put forward by the experts on complex matters and he has a good grasp of the regulations and legislation.”

Group Litigation, Chambers and Partners 2023

"Cool, calm and collected, Keith gives the impression he has seen it all before and knows exactly how things will play out. Very pragmatic and on the front foot when it comes to preparation."

Pensions, Legal 500 2023

"Keith is exceptional - he is extremely bright, and able to cut through complicated cases, expressing his advice clearly and concisely. His advocacy is excellent - well-judged, incisive and very effective."

Employment, Legal 500 2023

"He is very experienced, he is very knowledgeable, he has a great manner in court and he takes all the right points."

Employment, Chambers & Partners 2022

"He is a fantastic barrister who works very hard, he is a pleasure to deal with, he is very intelligent and he is knowledgeable about the law."

Employment, Chambers & Partners 2022

"He is very practical and balances being terribly clever with living in the real world."

Group Litigation, Chambers & Partners 2022

"He has a very pragmatic and holistic view when he comes to advise on pensions issues."

Pensions, Chambers & Partners 2022

"Keith brings a very wide range of expertise and experience to his advice, and his ability to deal with both complex employment and pensions matters is invaluable."

Employment, Legal 500 2022

"Very calm. Strong analysis of complexity. Good on seeing wood for trees. Responsive and supportive."

Pensions, Legal 500 2022

"He is really knowledgeable and gives clear advice."

Pensions, Chambers and Partners 2021

"Keith is entirely reliable, dependable, pragmatic and provides strong technical advice."

Pensions, Chambers and Partners 2021

"He's hands-on, responsive, calm and measured, with good technical knowledge."

Employment

"Good on pension-related matters, and his beautiful deep voice and softly spoken manner only serve to make his arguments even more plausible. He's a calming influence for clients because he gives a strong impression that he knows what he's doing and will sort out their problems."

Employment

"Very calm under pressure, really helps to get the tone and content right with the documents, and provides great strategic guidance in very sensitive claims."

Employment, Legal 500 2021

"He has a friendly, approachable manner which makes him very easy to work with. He is known to provide clear, pragmatic advice understanding the commercial approach taken by clients."

Pensions, Legal 500 2021

"Fantastically capable, formidably bright and very practical in his advice." "His attention to detail is impeccable and you feel as though you are in very safe hands."

Employment

"Highly rated by respondents for his skill in high-value, complex matters."

Pensions, Chambers and Partners 2020

"He provides excellent knowledge and practical advice in relation to the employment and pension law crossover area."

Pensions, Chambers and Partners 2020

"He provides very clear and concise opinions on complex areas of pensions law, delivered in tight timescales."

Pensions, Chambers and Partners 2020

"An exceptional employment law barrister, very knowledgeable about the law, eminently sensible in his advice and decision-making."

Employment, Legal 500 2020

"Exceptional legal analysis combined with an accessible and client-friendly approach."

Pensions, Legal 500 2020

"Very knowledgeable on employment law and very intelligent."

Employment, Chambers & Partners 2019

"Very personable and very good with clients."

Pensions, Chambers & Partners 2019

"Very client-friendly and good at taking a sensible and proportionate approach."

Pensions, Chambers & Partners 2019

He has exceptional legal analysis paired with a client-friendly approach.

Pensions, Legal 500 2019

He is thorough, very likeable and approachable and he makes himself available at all times.

Pensions, Chambers & Partners 2018

"He is very client-friendly and good at taking a sensible and proportionate approach."

Pensions, Chambers & Partners 2018

Very technical and presents advice in a format that clients can easily understand.

Employment, Chambers & Partners 2018

"Strong in cases involving statutory and multi-employer schemes."

Pensions, Legal 500 2017

"He writes fabulous opinions and can really dissect difficult things and put them into simple language."

Pensions, Chambers & Partners 2017

"He's not only a good technical expert, but he presents his thoughts in a way clients can understand."


Pensions, Chambers & Partners 2017

"His responsiveness to client queries is very impressive, as is his range and depth of knowledge."

Employment, Chambers & Partners 2017

"Calm, persuasive and mindful of his audience."

Pensions, Legal 500 2016

"Very knowledgeable and approachable, he's an excellent advocate."

Employment, Chambers & Partners 2016

"He has a very confident and reassuring way of presenting his case."

Pensions, Chambers & Partners 2016

He has a calm manner which plays well especially with trustee and member clients.

Pensions, Chambers & Partners 2016

He is thoughtful and measured and has great experience in both pensions and employment law.

Employment, Chambers & Partners 2015

"He delivers when he says he will, and manages to condense very complex issues into client-friendly language." "He thinks outside the box and comes up with pragmatic solutions."

Pensions, Chambers & Partners 2015

"A good man to have on your side."

Pensions, Legal 500 2015

"He's marked by a certain unflappability." "Calm and considered, his pragmatism is a major strength and he's very user-friendly."

Employment, Chambers & Partners 2014

"Keith impresses us with the speed with which he is able to turn round papers, manage our expectations, and explain complex issues to the lay client in an understandable and clear way."

Pensions, Chambers & Partners 2014

To find out more, contact Nick Levett +44 (0)20 7427 4908 or Mark Gardner +44 (0)20 7427 4909 for a confidential discussion.

Our dedicated practice management team can help you identify the right barrister for your case.

  • Recommended in Legal 500 for Employment and Pensions
  • Recommended in Chambers & Partners for Employment and Pensions

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