Instructing Us
We work with solicitors and individuals to provide clear, impartial and practical pensions on divorce reports. Our aim is to make the process as straightforward as possible, while delivering advice that is clear, considered and easy to understand.
Before instructing us
To help us assess the case and provide a fee estimate, when instructing us, we will usually need:
- The age of each party
- Who is instructing us (names of the firms of solicitors or whether there are litigants in person)
- Details of the pensions involved – preferably the names of the pension schemes and whether defined benefit or defined contribution (if known)
- Whether any of the pensions are currently in payment
- Any Cash Equivalent values (CETVs) already available – approximate values will often suffice
- Confirmation of the questions you would like us to address such as
- Equality of income in retirement – if the parties have yet to retire it is helpful to know if you require calculations to be carried out at one or multiple retirement ages/dates (e.g. equal incomes at retirement when the parties reach ages 60 and 67).
- Equality of capital value
- Offset valuations
- Details of any ringfencing of pension before or after the relationship
If further pension information is needed we will explain exactly what is required and provide guidance on how to obtain it.
To support the instruction process, we have provided:
Our fees depend on the complexity of the pensions involved, the parties' circumstances and the questions being asked.
Obtaining information from pension providers can sometimes take time, particularly for defined benefit or final salary schemes where more detail is needed beyond the CETV. We help manage this process by identifying exactly what information is required and providing clear wording for requests to pension administrators.
For Individuals
We can also accept instructions directly from individuals who are not represented by a solicitor.
Where both parties are unrepresented, we can arrange an initial conference call to explain the process, discuss how we work and answer any immediate questions before proceeding. The fee for this call is deducted from the report fee if you decide to instruct us.
Next steps
If you would like to discuss a case or request a fee estimate, please get in touch with our team. We can guide you through the information we need and the most appropriate next steps.
A pensions report is needed
This may be identified by solicitors, the parties involved, or directed by the court.
Request a quote
Send us brief details of the pensions involved using our quote request form or by email.
Receive your quote
We’ll confirm the likely fee, timescales and the information we need to proceed.
Usually within 1–2 working days
Instruct Excalibur
Using the specimen letter of instruction, provide all the necessary details for us to get started. Once instructed, we’ll confirm the scope of work and next steps.
Usually within 1 week
Pension information is collected
We review the documentation you obtain and ask for any further information needed from pension providers. In some cases we will contact the pension providers ourselves (additional fee).
Often 2–8+ weeks depending on providers
Report prepared and issued
Once all information has been received, we prepare and issue the report.
Typically within 6 weeks from receiving full information
Timescales can vary depending on the complexity of the pensions involved and how quickly pension providers supply information. We will always keep you updated throughout the process.