Linklaters and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer have taken the lead roles in Vodafone's $11.1bn (£5.7bn) acquisition of a controlling stake in Indian mobile network Hutchison Essar.

Linklaters advised longstanding client Vodafone, with corporate partners Iain Fenn and Clodagh Hayes leading a deal team that worked closely with Vodafone in-house counsel Helen Lamprell.

The magic circle firm teamed up with Indian law firms Talwar Thakore & Associates (TTA) and Trilegal for local advice on corporate and regulatory issues respectively.