Four judges have seen the Supreme Court rule in favour of their appeal to reclaim a pension, in a case that could cost the government £1bn.
As first reported by FTAdviser’s sister newspaper Financial Times, the judgment handed down yesterday (December 16) stated the four claimants - who had part-time and full-time salaried appointments - should not have been denied their pensions, even though they did not make a claim to an employment tribunal within a limited time period.
Part-time judges in fee-paid roles earned their right to a pension in 2013. However, those who held both fee-paid and salaried appointments had to claim their pension rights within three months of completing their part-time job.
According to Browne Jacobson, a law firm representing the four judges, the impact of this judgement is significant.
It is anticipated that more than 1,000 judges have brought claims or are relying on the moratorium, and the cost to the Ministry of Justice could reach £1bn.
The Ministry of Justice has been approached for comment.
Caroline Jones, senior associate at Browne Jacobson, said: “The appellants are delighted by the judgment and that equal treatment has finally been achieved.
“This judgment means that fee-paid judges who were subsequently appointed full-time salaried members of the judiciary will now be entitled to pensions in respect of their former part-time service.”
maria.espadinha@ft.com
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