Brian Buggy is a partner and head of the Pensions Practice at Matheson. He has extensive experience in many areas of pensions and employee benefits law, with particular emphasis on employee benefit structures, establishment of employee benefit schemes, legislative drafting, establishment of revenue approved pension schemes, pensions regulatory compliance, pensions trusteeship issues and the establishment of revenue approved employee share ownership plans for public sector companies.

Brian acts for a wide range of national and multinational employer companies, Government Departments, state bodies and trustees of pension schemes. He has advised on numerous large commercial transactions involving transfer of employees and has extensive experience of complex documentation and benefits issues that arise in such transactions. He has extensive experience of working with public sector companies on establishment of share plans for employees.

Brian was appointed by the Minister of Social and Family Affairs as a member of the Pensions Board (the statutory body which regulates occupational pension schemes in Ireland). He was a member of the Pensions Board in the period 2000-2005. Brian is a former Chairman of the Association of Pension Lawyers in Ireland. He is a council member of the Irish Association of Pension Funds, an associate member of the UK Association of Pension Lawyers (APL) and a member of the International Pensions and Employee Benefits Lawyers Association (IPEBLA).

He is joint author of Irish Pensions Law & Practice (2 ed) (2005), a comprehensive textbook on the subject. He has participated as speaker in seminars, both in Ireland and overseas, on pensions and employee benefit issues. He is a contributor on pension and employee benefit issues to periodicals, professional journals and newspapers.

Brian has advised:

• the defendant trustees in the biggest pensions litigation to come before the Irish courts
• the trustees in relation to the largest pension scheme insolvency in the State and all ancillary matters including discovery of pension scheme documentation in the context of court proceedings
• Endesa S.A. on its acquisition of a significant portfolio of assets including more than 1GW of thermal generating plant from ESB including advising with respect to all pensions issues arising in connection with that transaction
• Hibernian Group (now Aviva) on all pensions aspects of its acquisition of VIVAS Health
• the Department of Social and Family Affairs in respect of the drafting of legislation and regulations for Personal Retirement Savings Accounts
• the Department of Social and Family Affairs with respect to the legislation implementing the EU Pensions Directive (Directive 2003/41/EC) (the IORPS Directive)

Recognised for Employee Benefits and Pensions Law
Best Lawyers Ireland 2018 edition

Brian Buggy is named a leading individual.
European Legal 500 2016

Brian Buggy receives plaudits for his "excellent technical knowledge and experience",  with clients noting that "he gives practical advice while protecting the client's interests at all times".
Chambers Europe 2017

The “very professional and knowledgeable” Brian Buggy is part of a group that is “unmatched” in the pensions field.
Chambers Europe 2016

Brian Buggy “is very sharp, concise and definite with any advice he gives. He does not leave any doubts in your mind as to the right course.”Brian Buggy is one of Ireland’s most celebrated pensions lawyers.
Chambers Europe 2016

Brian Buggy is named a leading individual.
European Legal 500 2016

Brian Buggy is one of Ireland’s most celebrated pensions lawyers.
Chambers Europe 2015

Brian Buggy "is really the number-one guy in that area. He is very knowledgeable and capable in the field".
Chambers Europe 2015

Brian Buggy is recommended.
European Legal 500 2015

Brian Buggy is named a leading individual.
European Legal 500 2015

Brian Buggy is "one of the leading experts in the country".
European Legal 500 2015

Law Firm of the Year 2014
Irish Pensions Awards

Brian Buggy is commended by peers as "a standout lawyer in this field: he is practical, pragmatic and commercial".
Chambers Europe 2014

Brian Buggy has "extremely good knowledge of the market".
European Legal 500 2014

Brian Buggy is highly recommended for his pensions expertise, with one source describing him as "pleasant to deal with and very co-operative".
Chambers Europe 2013

Brian Buggy’s "knowledge of pensions in Ireland is superb".
European Legal 500 2013

Brian Buggy is ranked as a leading individual and is highly regarded.
European Legal 500 2013

Brian is also recognised as a leading lawyer by international legal directories European Legal 500 and Best Lawyers.