SIPP liability case dismissed by Pension Ombudsman

Laura Miller
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The Pension Ombudsman Service (POS) has dismissed a complaint against self-invested personal pension (SIPP) provider Berkley Burke, ruling it was not the firm's responsibility to carry out detailed due diligence on unregulated investments.

Brought by investor Robert Goodwin, the case centred on his Berkley Burke's duty of care to him regarding his SIPP investment in unregulated collective investment scheme Green oil Plantation, in which his £40,000 investment is now trapped. Goodwin, who also invested in troubled unregulated scheme Harlequin Property via his SIPP, had complained that Berkley Burke failed to carry out proper due diligence on Green Oil. But the POS has ruled it was not Berkeley Burke's responsibility as the trustee and administrator of the SIPP to carry out the level of due diligence suggested by Goodwin....

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