Expertise

They are absolutely excellent across the board."
Chambers Europe

Our Employment, Pensions and Benefits Group was established more than ten years ago in recognition of the increasing complexity and development of the law in the employment, equality and pensions areas, and the demands from clients for specialist advice. We provide legal advice on all aspects of the employment relationship, including pension schemes and employee benefits. We advise on all Irish and European legislation relating to or affecting the employment relationship and pensions/benefits entitlements.  Our employment and pensions practice has developed into one of the leading such groups in any law firm in Ireland.

Our Employment, Pensions and Benefits Group is best known as the first port of call for international employers in the Irish market and for consistently being the first firm to advise on complex new areas of employment law as they emerge, such as the proposed Senior Executive Accountability Regime and on Brexit relocation projects, including re-establishment of existing UK law governed European Works Councils under Irish law.

We advise on pensions law from a consultative and compliance point of view; we advise trustees and employers on all aspects of Irish pension arrangements both in the private and public sectors, advising on issues arising from the ongoing management and administration of pension arrangements, from establishment to winding up, including the provision of all necessary trust documentation.

We have extensive experience in advising on benefit restructuring and liability management exercises in defined benefit arrangements, to include advising on enhanced transfer value exercises, section 50 applications and pension increase exchange programmes. We also advise on contentious legal issues and have unparalleled experience in pensions litigation and contentious matters between employers and trustees, especially in the context of restructuring and winding up pension schemes.

In recent years, we have developed particular expertise in cross-border transfer work, to include advising on the transfer of Irish pension benefits to cross border IORPs based in Europe, and the establishment of cross border IORPs based in Ireland.  We also have considerable experience in advising in relation to compliance of cross border IORPs with Irish social and labour law 

We work closely with the firm's Corporate and Commercial Group and have advised on a number of the leading merger and acquisition transactions in recent years.

Matheson's Corporate Immigration Service

Matheson’s immigration team has extensive experience helping corporate clients navigate the Irish immigration system on a diverse range of immigration applications, including employment permissions, visa applications, and residency registration. Our team acts as a liaison between businesses and Irish immigration authorities, including the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (“INIS”), the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation (“DBEI”) and the Border Management Unit (“BMU”).

We offer eligibility assessments on short- and long-term immigration options to obtain the most appropriate permission for both the business and the relocating employee.  We can also help businesses plan strategically for employee mobility and offer immigration training and compliance audits for HR professionals and recruiters.

Our team has experience acting for corporate clients across all sectors, including technology, aviation, financial services and pharmaceutical. Our areas of expertise include:

• Employment Permits (ICT, GEP, CSEP) for new hires or renewals.

• Trusted Partner Initiative status.

• Atypical Working Scheme permissions.

• Advice on Entry Visas (business, employment, training, etc).

• GNIB Registration and Irish Residence Permits.

• EU Treaty Rights applications.

• Dependent / join family member permissions.

• HR / Recruiter training for non-EEA nationals.

• Van der Elst / Posted Worker applications.

• Workplace Relations Commission Audits.

Our Team