Nabarro and Field Fisher Waterhouse have been appointed to Sport England's first-ever legal panel following a competitive tender process involving 57 law firms.

The body, which was previously known as the English Sports Council, is responsible for investing National Lottery and Government funding in organisations and projects that will increase participation in community sport.

The panel appointments will see both firms advise the government agency on all aspects of its business including public law, procurement, planning, litigation and employment. The firms have been appointed for an initial two-year period from late 2010, with an option to extend the term for two more years.

Sport England general counsel Scott Pugh, who led the tender process, said: "Our motivation for re-tendering for legal services is the need to ensure we are getting best value for money from law firms. The two firms will be advising on all aspects of Sport England business including commercial contracts, high-value and complex funding arrangements, intellectual property and constitutional structures and powers."

Nabarro's appointment comes after projects partner Elizabeth Cooper advised the agency on a procurement project, securing suppliers to manage Sport England's four flagship National Sports Centres which will be used as training venues for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Cooper said: "Nabarro is carving out a niche for its work on leisure and sporting venues. The appointment to the Sport England panel is an exciting development, particularly in the run up to the 2012 Olympics."

Sport England is accountable to Parliament through the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and is also involved in protecting sports provision by acting as a consultant on planning applications affecting playing fields.