Cliffe Dekker: Owen Barrow

Owen Barrow

Director, Corporate and Commercial: Head of Pensions Law, Cape Town

Direct line: +27 (0)21 481 6327

Direct fax: +27 (0)21 481 9519

Summary profile

Owen Barrow is the head of the Pensions Law Unit at Cliffe Dekker and is one of a few practising pensions law specialists in South Africa. He has been involved in pensions law for 16 years and has acted in many capacities including as chairman of a large fund; legal advisor to funds; legal advisor to employers; legal advisor to trustees and as advisor to actuaries and consultants. He is also highly experienced in the field of financial institution regulatory matters.

Career

Owen began his career at the office of the Attorney General as a State Advocate in 1979. In 1983 he joined Syfret Godlonton Fuller Moore as a Candidate Attorney. In 1983 he joined Juta & Co Ltd as an Editor, Publisher and Chairman of the Pension Fund until 2000 when he acted as an Independent Legal Advisor on Pension Fund Matters. In 2002 Owen joined Duncan Barrow & Associates as a pensions law professional where he remained until 2005 when he joined the board of directors of Cliffe Dekker Inc.

Education/qualifications

BA LLB, University of Cape Town
Date of admission: March 2004

Experience

Advised major retirement funds regarding settlement of 'bulking' claims
Assisted employers and funds in tribunals established in terms of s 15K of the Pension Funds Act
Drafted rules of retirement funds in many complex issues
Negotiated with regulatory authorities on fund conversions and issues arising from conversion
Conducted due diligence on major funds for purposes of mergers and acquisitions
Undertaken employer liability assessments for purposes of corporate governance
Advised on the monitoring of process of appointment of consultants and investment managers