Water and sewerage regulator Ofwat has finalised its first-ever external legal panel, appointing three firms to the roster.

Addleshaw Goddard, Norton Rose and Wragge & Co have all won spots on the panel, with the trio appointed following a tender process that kicked off in November last year.

The panel appointments, which will run for four years from 1 March, will see the three firms work closely with the body's own in-house legal team.

Ofwat said that a large number of firms applied for roles, with Addleshaws, Norton Rose and Wragges selected on the basis of their experience in water regulation and competition law.

Huw Brooker, Ofwat's director of legal services, said: "We have an excellent in-house team of legal experts but the panel allows us to call on extra resources, skills and experience. It gives us more flexibility in bringing in legal support when we need it.

"The challenges the water sector now faces are different to those of the past. These firms have shown they have the experience and expertise to advise us in key areas of water regulation and competition law, as we seek to help meet these challenges."

Legal Week reported in May 2008 that Ofwat was considering creating its first-ever panel in an effort to reduce its legal spend.