Eversheds has emerged as the big winner on the new-look panel unveiled by Transport for London (TfL) and London Underground, with the national giant picking up a prized four-year mandate for mainstream work.

Twelve firms won places on the panel, with new appointments handed to Clifford Chance, Wragge & Co, K&L Gates and Travers Smith, while Bird & Bird picked up a place on the roster for disputes and technology-related matters.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer – which was overlooked by TfL in its last panel review three years ago after controversially charging £30m for advising London Underground on the Tube's partial privatisation – has also won a spot on the eagerly-awaited panel.

Simmons & Simmons was retained to advise on the congestion charge but Nabarro, which has historically advised TfL in the past, is not named on the panel.

The review, led by TfL director of legal affairs Gareth John, required a range of diversity statistics from applicant firms, with those appointed expected to provide quarterly diversity updates and information on why lawyers from minority groups leave their firm.

John told Legal Week: "The firms were asked to provide current diversity data and articulate their initiatives for continuous improvement. This was a consideration in the evaluation of bids."

London Underground legal director Sarah Atkins added: "We have selected advisers [that] can think laterally but… also have the pragmatism needed to support the successful delivery of construction projects."

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