IBM UK Holdings Ltd & Anor v Dalgleish & Ors [2014] EWHC 980 (Ch) (04 April 2014)

IBM UK Holdings Ltd & Anor v Dalgleish & Ors [2014] EWHC 980 (Ch) (04 April 2014)

The Exclusion Powers in the Main Plan and I Plan, as a matter of construction, permit exclusion of all active members. The powers were validly introduced and exercised. Project Waltz changes did not breach the Imperial duty or contractual duty of trust and confidence. The claim for invalidity of Project Waltz changes fails.

Citation
[2014] EWHC 980 (Ch)
Parties
Claimant: IBM United Kingdom Holdings Limited; Claimant: IBM United Kingdom Limited; Defendant: Stuart Dalgleish; Defendant: Lizanne Harrison; Defendant: IBM United Kingdom Pensions Trust Limited
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
04 April 2014
Procedural Posture
Application for Declaratory Relief / Judgment After Trial
Outcome
Claim dismissed; Project Waltz changes upheld as lawful.
Legal Topics
Closure of Defined Benefit Pension Plans, Exercise of Exclusion Powers, Imperial Duty of Good Faith, Contractual Duty of Trust and Confidence, Validity of Plan Amendments
Pensions Employment Trusts Closure of Defined Benefit Pension Plans Exercise of Exclusion Powers Imperial Duty of Good Faith Contractual Duty of Trust and Confidence Validity of Plan Amendments

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 3 Authorities cited 5 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 6
Sign in to unlock

Parties

IBM United Kingdom Holdings Limited

Claimant

IBM United Kingdom Limited

Claimant

Stuart Dalgleish

Defendant

Lizanne Harrison

Defendant

IBM United Kingdom Pensions Trust Limited

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Application for Declaratory Relief / Judgment After Trial

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the Main Plan Exclusion Power was validly introduced
  2. 2 Whether the exercise of Exclusion Powers was within scope
  3. 3 Whether the Exclusion Powers were exercised for an improper purpose

Ratio Decidendi

The Exclusion Powers in the Main Plan and I Plan, as a matter of construction, permit exclusion of all active members. The powers were validly introduced and exercised. Project Waltz changes did not breach the Imperial duty or contractual duty of trust and confidence. The claim for invalidity of Project Waltz changes fails.

Court Disposition

Claim dismissed; Project Waltz changes upheld as lawful.

Orders

  • Declaratory relief refused
  • Project Waltz changes affirmed as valid