Dentons Pension Management Limited was an FCA-authorised SIPP operator that permitted a range of investment types within its products. Some Dentons SIPP clients were recommended unsuitable, illiquid, or high-risk investments by IFA firms. If you held a Dentons SIPP that suffered losses, you may have a claim against the advising IFA or Dentons as the operator.
Dentons Pension Management Limited was a specialist SIPP operator that provided flexible pension arrangements to retail and professional investors. Like many SIPP operators of its era, Dentons accepted a broad range of investment types, including some that were non-standard, illiquid, or unsuitable for retail investors with limited investment experience.
The Dentons SIPP was used by a range of IFA firms and pension introducers to hold non-standard assets including overseas property, loan notes, and similar schemes. Where clients were introduced via an unregulated introducer or received unsuitable advice to transfer a defined benefit or personal pension to a Dentons SIPP, they may have claims against both the adviser and the operator.
The legal framework established by Berkeley Burke [2018], Adams v Carey Pensions [2020], and Fletcher [2024] EWCA Civ 541 establishes that SIPP operators have active due diligence obligations. Where Dentons failed to assess the suitability of investments admitted to its SIPP or failed to conduct due diligence on introducers, liability may arise.
The correct route depends on whether the firm is still active, the nature of your loss, and whether FSCS compensation has already been paid on related adviser claims.
If Dentons Pension Management (or its successor entity) is still FCA-authorised, submit a formal DISP complaint about the suitability of the investments permitted within your SIPP. Always check the FCA Register for the firm's current status.
Check FCA Register firstEscalate to FOS if the firm rejects your complaint or fails to respond within eight weeks. FOS considers SIPP operator due diligence as well as IFA suitability advice in its adjudications.
FOS escalationIf the IFA who recommended your Dentons SIPP has failed and been declared in default, you can claim FSCS compensation up to £85,000 against that adviser firm.
Against failed adviserFor large pension losses, civil litigation against Dentons as operator and against any surviving IFA or other party in the chain offers uncapped recovery under the established SIPP operator liability framework.
Uncapped recoveryThe legal framework governing SIPP operator liability has been substantially clarified by two Court of Appeal decisions. Options UK Personal Pensions LLP v Fletcher [2024] EWCA Civ 541 confirmed that SIPP operators owe active due diligence duties and may be liable where they accept unsuitable non-standard assets into client SIPPs without proper assessment.
Adams v Carey Pensions UK LLP [2020] (FSMA s.27) established that where a SIPP was set up through an unauthorised introducer, the contract may be voidable, enabling full restitution of invested funds regardless of the FSCS cap.
In parallel, Berkeley Burke SIPP Administration Ltd v Financial Ombudsman Service [2018] EWHC 2368 (Admin) confirmed that FOS has jurisdiction to make awards requiring SIPP operators to compensate clients for due diligence failures — and that courts will not readily overturn such awards on judicial review.
SIPP operator claims are subject to the same DISP and Limitation Act deadlines as adviser claims. FSCS claims must also meet prescribed eligibility windows.
DISP time limits: six years from advice or three years from discovery. Limitation Act applies to court proceedings. See redressadvisory.com/time-limits.
Redress Advisory assesses your position across all four routes and connects you with an SRA-regulated solicitor at no upfront cost.
Begin Your AssessmentYou do not need to use a claims management company to pursue a pension mis-selling complaint. You can complain directly to the financial firm, escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), apply to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), or instruct a solicitor independently — all free of charge. Using Redress Advisory does not improve the likelihood of success compared to pursuing a claim yourself, and our fee will reduce any compensation you receive.
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The information on this page is for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, legal, or claims management advice. Individual outcomes depend on the specific facts of each case. Historical outcomes in related cases are not a guarantee of results in your case.
FOS: 0800 023 4567 | FSCS: 0800 678 1100 | FCA Register: register.fca.org.uk