At least £10m in legal fees will be up for grabs, it has emerged, after five London boroughs kicked off a tender process to appoint barristers to their new combined panel.

The West London Alliance – comprising Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow and Hounslow councils – launched the tender process last week (22 June), with more than 75 major chambers understood to be taking part. Each borough is expected to contribute up to £2m in fees over the panel's four-year term.

Commenting on the tender process, which is being coordinated by independent consultancy First Law and is due to conclude in September, Brent Borough Solicitor Terry Osborne said: "The initial response has been good [and] demonstrates that local authorities have considerable buying power when they work together in this way."

She added: "When barristers' services are needed they will be contacted by the relevant council and engaged according to price and experience in a particular field, ensuring value for money and expert knowledge for councils."

The group aims to cut its legal costs by operating 14 separate panels covering areas including planning, property, employment, housing and corporate governance. As many as 15 sets will be eligible for each panel.

Camden, Hillingdon and Islington councils have also expressed interest in joining the venture. In 2002 Croydon became the first London council to appoint a panel of barristers, naming seven chambers to cover childcare, mental health, property and general public law issues. The London Borough of Hackney followed suit last year.