BAA is gearing up for a review of its external legal advisers, it has emerged.

The move follows the appointment of Carol Hui in March as the airport operating company's general counsel.

Currently BAA has no formal panel arrangement in place, though it has well-established links with Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Herbert Smith. Hui confirmed the review, though said the process would not necessarily lead to the creation of a fixed panel.

Earlier this month BAA initiated a tender for legal advisers on Heathrow Airport's proposed third runway. It is unknown when the results will be announced.

Last year Freshfields secured the lead role for BAA on the sale of Gatwick Airport, which remains ongoing. M&A partner Laurie McFadden is leading the Freshfields team advising BAA, which put the airport up for sale to comply with Competition Commission's direction for it sell three of its seven UK airports.

Herbert Smith is advising the airport operator on real estate and competition issues regarding the Gatwick sale. Partner Julian Pollock is leading the real estate team, while partner Stephen Wisking is handling competition matters.

BAA's parent company is Spanish group Ferrovial, which took it over in 2006 in a £10.3bn deal. Construction giant Amey, where Hui served for nine years as general counsel and executive director, is owned by Ferrovial.

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