Cross London Rail Links (CLRL) has completed its first formal legal panel, with Eversheds and Ashurst winning places on the roster.

The pair, alongside Wragge & Co and Cripps Harries Hall, will advise CLRL – the delivery vehicle for the Crossrail project – on the land acquisitions needed to complete the new London rail route.

The appointments are expected to generate a significant flow of work for the four firms as CLRL is expected to acquire more than 13,000 land interests over the next few years under powers granted by the Crossrail Act.

CLRL has no formal panel for its general legal work but has worked regularly with Ashurst since 2002, when the firm was appointed as an adviser to the organisation. In addition CLRL has also had ties with firms including CMS Cameron McKenna, which advised the UK Government on the funding of the project, and Bircham Dyson Bell.

The panel review was kicked off in September by CLRL head of legal Mark Fell (pictured). It is thought that the four law firms were the only advisers appointed.

News of the panel comes after airport operator BAA this month agreed to provide CLRL with a £230m funding package. As part of the funding award Crossrail will guarantee a fast train service to and from Heathrow four times a day.

Crossrail is a 50/50 joint venture between Transport for London and the Department for Transport. Once completed the new rail links will run through London from Maidenhead to Shenfield and Abbey Wood via both Liverpool Street and Heathrow Airport.