The full line up for the government’s new panel that will advise it on complex financial and legal advice has been announced, with all but one of the magic circle firms getting the nod.
Slaughter and May, Linklaters, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Clifford Chance are among nine firms that will sit on the newly created Crown Commercial Services (CCS) Finance and Highly Complex Legal Advice panel. Allen & Overy is the only magic circle firm not included.
International firm Dentons, silver circle firms Ashurst and Berwin Leighton Paisner, and US headquartered Hogan Lovells have also won a spot.
Previously the Gazette reported that City firm Simmons and Simmons and its sub-contractor Bates Wells Braithwaite had been given a place. Scottish firm Brodies will also work as a subcontractor and advise on Scottish law aspects.
Christopher McGee-Osborne, partner at Dentons, said: ‘This panel will be entrusted with work relating to HM government’s most complex matters. We are delighted to be amongst the select group of firms chosen to advise on such significant matters. Our appointment demonstrates our commitment to HM government and that we have the public sector know-how and track record to deliver the best advice and service.’
Members of the panel will advise the government and wider public sector on highly complex transactions including in finance, refinancing, capital markets and corporate transactions.
The CCS announced it was to set up a panel for finance and complex legal services earlier this year. Contracts for the panel, which replaced the finance and regulation panel, last two years, with the option to extend for two 12-month periods.
It is one of several set up by the CCS to cut the cost of external legal advice. Membership of a rail modernisation panel was announced in June.
The panel, unlike some others, is not tiered, meaning all suppliers will provide all core specialities.
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