APLI essay competition 2026

The APLI invites essays on the following topic “AI and the future of pensions law: risks, governance and trustee decision making”

1. With reference to Irish law and regulatory developments (and drawing on UK/EU developments where relevant), describe the benefits and limitations of AI in the pensions industry and analyse the key legal risks for stakeholders, including regulatory, data protection and governance considerations. Would you recommend the introduction of a similar AI strategy or regulatory framework in Ireland as is proposed in the UK? 60 marks
2. Analyse the impact of AI on trustee decision making, including the implications for fiduciary duties, delegation and reliance on AI outputs, with reference to trust law, legislation and regulatory guidance. 20 marks
3. In light of the above, what practical and governance-focused advice would you give to pension scheme trustees seeking to embed AI tools in the administration of their scheme? 20 marks

• 1st Prize: €4,000
• 2nd Prize: €1,000

The competition is open to: (i) all students of law; (ii) all trainee Solicitors and Barristers; and (iii) all Solicitors/Barristers qualified less than 2 years.

Essays should be between 2,000 and 3,000 words. The deadline for submission is Friday, 31 July 2026  Joint submissions are welcome.

Please see below links to poster and competition rules for further details.

APLI_Association of Pension Lawyers in Ireland_Competition 2026_poster -2

APLI Essay Rules 2026

APLI essay competition 2025

The APLI invites essays on the following topic:

“Working Longer, Saving Smarter: Reforming Occupational Pension Schemes to Support Ireland’s Ageing Workforce”

The 2024 Pensions Council report “Irish Retirement Living Standards” highlights a growing trend: more Irish employees are working beyond traditional retirement ages, driven by increased life expectancy, financial necessity, and evolving attitudes toward later-life employment. While this shift may ease pressure on the State Pension system, it presents new challenges for occupational pension schemes, which were largely designed around earlier retirement ages and shorter post-retirement lifespans.

 As the workforce ages, pension schemes must adapt to ensure they remain sustainable, equitable, and capable of delivering adequate retirement incomes. This raises important questions about contribution structures, retirement planning, age discrimination issues and the role of employers and policymakers in supporting older workers.

 Analyse the impact of an ageing workforce on the sustainability and design of occupational pension schemes in Ireland. [50 marks]

Propose and justify two key reforms that could help occupational pension schemes adapt to the trend of employees working longer. Consider in particular reforms which have been implemented in other jurisdictions. [50 marks]

• 1st Prize: €4,000
• 2nd Prize: €1,000

The competition is open to: (i) all students of law; (ii) all trainee Solicitors and Barristers; and (iii) all Solicitors/Barristers qualified less than 2 years.

Essays should be between 2,000 and 3,000 words. The deadline for submission is Friday, 25 July 2025.  Joint submissions are welcome.

Please see the attached poster and competition rules for further details.

Attached Files

APLI Conference, Thursday 15 May 2025

We are excited to invite you to the upcoming APLI Conference, which will be held at William Fry, 2 Grand Canal Square on Thursday 15 May, registration starting at 8:30 a.m.

Join us for discussions led by expert speakers followed by lunch.

Agenda
• Pensions Authority Update – Brendan Kennedy
• Australian experience of superannuation funds – Ciara Gaffney
• Pensions Litigation dispute panel discussing recent High Court pensions cases;
Una Tighe SC and Claire Hogan BL
• UK perspective on covenant reviews – Niall Collins and Jamie MacKenzie
• Fireside chat, pensions outlook – Brian Buggy, Peter Fahy and Philip Smith

Open to APLI & IIPM members for €325 and for non-members the cost is €375. Please click below to purchase tickets (APLI members may pay by bank transfer in advance by contacting Patrick O’Connor of A&L Goodbody).

All ticket sales non-refundable.

There are limited places at the conference so book your tickets as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. There are two ways to secure your place:

i. through Eventbrite, which secures your place and payment is taken at the time of booking; or
ii. by emailing Patrick O’Connor and myself to secure your place and then paying directly by bank transfer.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-association-of-pension-lawyers-in-ireland-conference-2025-tickets-1312868136939?aff=oddtdtcreator

APLI Essay Competition Winners 2024

Council is delighted to announce the winners of this year’s essay competition: ‘There are many stakeholders involved in an occupational pension scheme (participating employers, active members, deferred members, pensioner members, spouses and/or children in receipt of benefits). As many defined benefit schemes approach maturity, some are in the fortunate position to have surplus assets. Such schemes may have broad powers on how to use such surplus assets on scheme wind up including augmenting some or all member benefits and/or returning surplus assets to the employers. What is the appropriate balancing act when Trustees are considering the competing interests of the main stakeholders’ respective claims to surplus assets in a pension scheme context? In considering this query, please discuss the purpose of a pension scheme and whether some stakeholders should be preferred over others. (80 MARKS)

Please also briefly discuss the treatment of defined benefit scheme surpluses in the United Kingdom with a particular focus on recent case law. (20 MARKS)”

• First place: Steffi Stafford Johnson, A&L Goodbody LLP
• Second place: Ciara Kelliher, William Fry LLP

Thank you to all who took part.

DISCLAIMER All views or opinions expressed in these essays are the author’s own in respect of the essay topic and do not represent the views or opinions of the APLI. The APLI have made the essays available for informational purposes only and the APLI does not make any representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy or applicability of the essays.

Attached Files

APLI essay competition 2024

The APLI invites essays on the following topic:

“There are many stakeholders involved in an occupational pension scheme (participating employers, active members, deferred members, pensioner members, spouses and/or children in receipt of benefits).  As many defined benefit schemes approach maturity, some are in the fortunate position to have surplus assets. Such schemes may have broad powers on how to use such surplus assets on scheme wind up including augmenting some or all member benefits and/or returning surplus assets to the employers.  What is the appropriate balancing act when Trustees are considering the competing interests of the main stakeholders’ respective claims to surplus assets in a pension scheme context?  In considering this query, please discuss the purpose of a pension scheme and whether some stakeholders should be preferred over others. [80 MARKS]

Please also briefly discuss the treatment of defined benefit scheme surpluses in the United Kingdom with a particular focus on recent case law. [20 MARKS]”

• 1st Prize: €4,000
• 2nd Prize: €1,000

The competition is open to: (i) all students of law; (ii) all trainee Solicitors and Barristers; and (iii) all Solicitors/Barristers qualified less than 2 years.

Essays should be between 2,000 and 3,000 words. The deadline for submission is Tuesday, 25 June 2024.  Joint submissions are welcome.

Please see the attached poster and competition rules for further details.

Attached Files