SIPPchoice Limited was an FCA-authorised SIPP operator that accepted a range of investment types within its products. Some SIPPchoice clients were placed into non-standard, illiquid, or high-risk investments by IFA firms or pension introducers. If you held a SIPPchoice SIPP containing such investments and suffered losses, you may have a claim against the adviser or the operator.
SIPPchoice Limited operated in the SIPP market as an FCA-regulated operator accepting a broad range of investment options. During periods when the regulatory framework around non-standard SIPP assets was less clearly defined, some SIPPchoice SIPPs were used to hold illiquid or high-risk investments — including overseas property schemes, loan notes, and similar assets.
The FCA has substantially tightened its guidance on SIPP operators' due diligence obligations since 2012, culminating in the Finalised Guidance FG13/8 and more recent supervisory interventions. SIPP operator liability for inadequate due diligence on non-standard assets has been confirmed by case law including the Berkeley Burke, Adams v Carey Pensions, and Fletcher [2024] decisions.
If you were advised by an IFA to transfer your pension to a SIPPchoice SIPP and invest in a non-standard asset that subsequently failed or became illiquid, you have potential claims against both the advising IFA (for unsuitable advice) and SIPPchoice (for due diligence failure as operator).
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.
Submit a formal DISP complaint to SIPPchoice as the SIPP operator, setting out what investments were held, how you were introduced to the firm, and why the arrangement was unsuitable.
If firm still activeIf SIPPchoice or the advising IFA rejects your complaint, escalate to the FOS. FOS adjudicators apply the established due diligence framework and suitability tests.
FOS escalationIf the IFA who recommended your SIPPchoice SIPP has failed and been declared in default by the FSCS, a claim against that adviser up to £85,000 is available independently of any claim against the operator.
Against failed adviserFor large pension losses where the FOS cap is insufficient, civil litigation against the operator, the IFA, and other solvent parties in the chain can pursue uncapped compensation.
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 complaints: six years from advice or three years from discovery. Limitation Act applies to civil proceedings. Act early — 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.
Redress Advisory Ltd (Company No. 17295681) is a claims management company. Regulated legal work is carried out by our Operating SRA Partner solicitor firms. We are not a firm of solicitors and we do not provide legal advice.
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