Allen & Overy and Norton Rose have got the nod from respective clients Heineken and Carlsberg as the European brewing giants circle Edinburgh-based rival Scottish & Newcastle.

Although no bid has yet been formally made, Scottish & Newcastle – the UK's largest brewer – is expected to be the subject of a joint approach by the Dutch and Danish producers, likely to value the target at around £7.5bn.

A&O corporate partners Alan Paul and Alun Eynon-Evans have been instructed for regular client Heineken on the potential takeover, while City rival Norton Rose is acting for Carlsberg. Corporate partners Andrew Phillips, Chris Pearson and Philip Mellor are heading the team for Norton Rose.

Scottish & Newcastle has previously turned to magic circle law firm Linklaters for much of its top-end corporate work.

In a statement yesterday, Scottish & Newcastle said: "The proposed break-up bid from Heineken and Carlsberg, the company's joint venture partner in BBH [Baltic Beverages Holding], is unsolicited and unwelcome."

Scottish & Newcastle owns or has an interest in over 50 breweries internationally and produces more than 50 million hectolitres per annum. It operates brands including Kronenbourg 1664, Foster's and Newcastle Brown Ale.

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