Thomson Reuters names eight Keystone Law partners in its Stand-out Lawyers Guide 2026
Andrea James, Andrew Darwin & Anna McKibbin
Ben has advised on pension and employee benefits since 2000 (and in the Isle of Man since 2003). He has extensive experience in occupational and personal pension schemes, both domestic and international. Ben advises upon the establishment, maintenance, restructuring, insolvency and winding-up of pension schemes (domestic and international) as well as providing pensions support for corporate transactions. He advises the Island’s larger defined benefit occupational schemes and acts for major multinationals, publicly listed corporations, banks, insurers, pension providers, and the Isle of Man Government.
Ben works closely with leading UK and American law firms and has assisted the Isle of Man in the drafting of pension and tax legislation. In addition to pension law, Ben advises upon employee share and performance plans, as well as wider trust matters.
Ben is a member of the Association of Pensions Lawyers and an associate member of the Association of Pension Scheme Providers.
Expertise
Ben is a pensions specialist advising trustees and employers on the establishment, maintenance, restructuring, insolvency and winding-up of pension schemes (domestic and international) as well as providing pensions support for corporate transactions. His clients include major multinationals, publicly listed corporations, banks, insurers, pension providers, and the Isle of Man Government.
Experience
- Principal adviser in the re-domiciling of a US$6 billion pension scheme fund from Bermuda into the Isle of Man.
- Principal adviser in respect of the winding-up of an insolvent bank’s defined benefit pension scheme (effecting the Isle of Man’s first insured buy-out for 20 years).
- Principal Isle of Man adviser on the solvent winding-up and buy-out of a number of banks and building societies.
- Principal Isle of Man adviser in a multiple scheme and multi-jurisdictional merger that resulted in a £1 billion fund.
- Advised upon multiple rewrites of governing scheme documentation and booklets.
- Advised on various technical regulatory matters including employer debt, sectionalisation, ring-fencing, and priority order issues.
- Drafted and established multiple international retirement benefit schemes.
- Currently appointed as Isle of Man counsel for the trustee boards of the largest non-public-sector defined benefit schemes in the Isle of Man.
- Principal Isle of Man adviser on an application to the Isle of Man High Court under section 61 of the Trustee Act 1961 to obtain directions regarding the distribution of assets of an insolvent scheme subject to the statutory priority order.
Please note: The experience list above may include examples of work completed prior to joining Keystone Law.
Recognition
Recognised by The Legal 500 for Offshore: Employment 2026
Recognised by Chambers UK for Offshore: Employment 2019–2020, 2026
Recognised by The Legal 500 Hall of Fame for Isle of Man: Insurance and Pensions 2021–2026
Recognised by The Legal 500 as a Leading Partner for Isle of Man: Insurance and Pensions 2016–2018, 2020
Recognised by The Legal 500 for Isle of Man: Employment 2018
Corporate International’s Magazine’s Global Award: Pensions Law Firm of the Year (Isle of Man) 2014–2016
Recognised by Global Law Experts: Pensions Law Firm of the Year (Isle of Man) 2014–2015
Recognised in Best Lawyers (UK) for Employee Share Schemes and Offshore 2014–2025
ACQ Global Awards: Pensions Law Firm of the Year (Isle of Man) 2014
Publications
Money Media, ‘Employee Benefits and the John Lewis Economy’
Isle of Man Portfolio, ‘”Robespierre” Osborne and the Pensions Revolution: its implications for Isle of Man pensions’
Professional associations/memberships
Member of the UK’s Association of Pension Lawyers
Associate Member and Adviser to the Isle of Man’s Association of
Pension Scheme Administrators
“Ben is the go-to lawyer for Isle of Man pension advice.”
Chambers UK 2026
“Ben Hughes has a deep knowledge of Isle of Man pensions legislation and we rely on his advice when making any changes to scheme design.”
The Legal 500 2026
“Ben Hughes stands out as the most knowledgeable pensions lawyer on the Isle of Man. His wide experience cannot be matched by any other lawyer on the island. But aside from his knowledge which is evident in every conversation or interaction that you have with him, he is also very personable, takes his time to listen to the particular requirements and/or problem.”
The Legal 500 2026
“Ben Hughes is without doubt my first choice for Isle of Man pensions advice. His technical knowledge of Isle of Man law and regulation is unrivalled, and he has excellent relationships with ITD and FSA which allow issues to be resolved quickly and pragmatically. We have not found any other comparable source of Isle of Man pensions input.”
The Legal 500 2026
“Ben Hughes provided exceptional support on a complex matter while engaging in a pragmatic and commercial way. He is a safe pair of hands!”
The Legal 500 2026
“Ben Hughes is very professional in his manner, thorough in his opinions and calm in his delivery. The reason we deal with Keystone has been due to the relationship and experience of Ben.”
The Legal 500 2022
“Ben Hughes knowledge of pensions legislation, related tax laws and ability to apply his knowledge in a practical and understandable way is second to none.”
The Legal 500 2022
“The key advocate is Ben Hughes who is the leading pension adviser on the Isle of Man. He has an in-depth knowledge of Manx pension law and regulations and can call on support for UK matters as required. He is pragmatic in his advice.”
The Legal 500 2022
“Ben Hughes has been invaluable in our recent pension merger transaction. His engagement with the opposite parties has been excellent and he has met all scheduled deadlines, even where these have been extremely demanding.”
The Legal 500 2022
“Ben Hughes is used extensively for pensions advice. Widely regarded as THE pensions expert in the Isle of Man, he provides practical advice in a very responsive manner and is always approachable.”
The Legal 500 2021
“Detailed and practical knowledge of Isle of Man pensions legislation, trusteeship and employee benefits. Ben Hughes is an acknowledged expert in this field and is readily available for support and advice. Professional experience. In-depth knowledge.”
The Legal 500 2021
“Ben Hughes is a pleasure to work with.”
The Legal 500 2020
“Ben Hughes is a renowned specialist in the pensions sector- always available, extremely knowledgeable and able to explain complex matters comprehensively.”
The Legal 500 2020
“Pensions law expert.”
The Legal 500 2018
Ben qualified as a solicitor in 2000. Prior to joining Keystone Law in 2016, he worked at the following firms:
- Cains
- Denton Wilde Sapte