National Grid is reviewing its legal panel in a process that could see the number of its advisers halved.

A spokesperson at the electricity and gas giant confirmed that it is currently in the negotiation phase of the tender, and it will award the contract to between six and 10 panel firms at the end of November.

There are currently 12 law firms on its formal roster, which was last renewed in October 2017. The company had decided to retain all 12 firms it had selected in 2015.

The current panel consists of Linklaters, Norton Rose Fulbright, Herbert Smith Freehills, CMS, DLA Piper, Eversheds Sutherland, Addleshaw Goddard, Irwin Mitchell, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, BDB Pitmans and Shakespeare Martineau.

The National Grid spokesperson further added that the new contract will run for three years, and could be extended for another two years in 12 months increments.

In January, National Grid hired former Gowling WLG head of energy, partner Derek Goodban, as its new U.K. general counsel.

He replaced Rachael Davidson, who left her role as the company's U.K. GC in August last year to become GC at National Grid Ventures, a subsidiary company that delivers products and services to customers outside of National Grid's core operations.