After a tender earlier this year, the Ministry of Defence has finalised its revised major projects panel with ten firms making it on to the expanded roster.
The ministry reversed the trend of gradually narrowing its panel, which in the last review in 2010 saw the number drop to seven, instead boosting the number of positions to ten in order to provide ‘more choice and guard against conflict of interest.’
Firms were notified last week they had made it on to the list, which now includes Magic Circle duo Linklaters and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. Others to win spots include Addleshaw Goddard, Burges Salmon and Herbert Smith Freehills while Dentons, Mills & Reeve, Shepherd and Wedderburn, Simmons & Simmons and Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co all kept their places.
The appointments follow an extensive procurement process over the summer which garnered significant interest for spots. Neither Pinsent Masons nor Fieldfisher, which previously held positions, were named to the panel this time around.
michael.west@legalease.co.uk