Is your firm’s mandatory retirement age (MRA) policy a strategic asset or a hidden liability? Managing Partner Clare Murray and Partners Corinne Staves and Emma Sangeelee discuss the key issues which firms should take into account, and the evidence, alternatives and process they should consider, when reviewing their mandatory retirement age provisions and policies for their partners.
Key points from their discussion:
- Is your firm relying on robust evidence, or outdated assumptions, to justify your MRA?
- Recent case law is setting a much higher standard and tribunals expect firms to back up their MRA policies with hard data and thorough analysis, not just established practice or consensus.
- Inconsistent or ad hoc extension processes can seriously undermine your firm’s legitimate aims for its MRA policy.
- Performance management and succession planning are essential strategic tools for partner progression and firm resilience.
- Written documentation and clear evidence are now essential; firms must be ready to defend their approach if challenged.
Now is the time to review your MRA policy with a strategic, evidence-led approach.
If you have any questions on mandatory retirement ages in your firm or if you have any specific questions, please contact Partners Clare Murray, Corinne Staves or Emma Sangeelee.
Clare Murray is ranked as an “Eminent Practitioner” by Chambers and Partners UK 2026 for Partnership: Contentious: “Clare Murray is an absolute titan: if you know she is on the other side you will and should worry.”
Corinne Staves is ranked as a “Star Individual” by Chambers and Partners UK 2026 for Partnership: Non-contentious: “One of the absolute leaders in the field on both contentious and non-contentious matters, regulatory and litigation.”
Emma Sangeelee is ranked as Band 2 by Chambers and Partners UK 2026 for Employment: Senior Executive: “She retains an impressive grasp of the detail while keeping sight of the broader issues and is a trusted adviser.”
CM Murray LLP is ranked Tier 1 for Partnership by Legal 500 2026: “This practice is unique due to its very specific focus on partnership matters and related transactions.”
