Royal Mail has kicked off a review of its employment and property panels which will see a line-up of firms appointed to step in when the current panel contract expires next year.

The review is being led by general counsel Doug Evans, who joined Royal Mail in 2006 from logistics company Exel, and is part of an effort by the organisation to to cut legal spend and rationalise its adviser roster.

Successful firms will sign a framework agreement for a term of three years with the company reserving the option to extend the contract for a further year.

The current panel arrangement is due to expire on 31 March next year.

The request to tender states: "…work will be called off as and when required. No minimum volumes or values of work will be guaranteed under the agreement."

The postal company last reviewed its sub-panels three years ago, when it appointed new firms to its personal injury and employment rosters.

Royal Mail's legal arrangements are run on a regional basis with Eversheds and Weightmans the preferred employment legal advisers, with Hammonds and Bond Pearce the preferred property advisers for high-volume work.

Royal Mail currently employs an in-house legal team of approximately 35 lawyers. The successful firms will be announced early next year.