Colt Technology Services has sent out pitch requests to more than 10 law firms with a view to rationalising its European law firm panel.

The review, which is being led by longstanding legal director Robin Saphra, will see no more than six firms appointed to advise across a number of practice areas including corporate, intellectual property (IP) and technology.

The pitch request, which was sent out last month, stipulates that the FTSE 250 company's preferred advisers should be able to provide one relationship partner in many of the 13 European jurisdictions that the company operates in.

The pitch document encourages law firms to suggest alternative billing arrangements and other forms of added value such as secondments and in-house training, while the telecoms company is also placing an emphasis on the availability of legal process outsourcing arrangements.

The only area that will be exempt from the panel process is employment work, an exclusive mandate won by Greenberg Traurig Maher (GTM) earlier this year. Other firms to have worked with Colt in the past include Baker & McKenzie, Field Fisher Waterhouse and DLA Piper.

A Colt spokesperson commented: "We always look for the best possible arrangements with our suppliers and when it comes to law firms, we place a particular emphasis on innovation, flexibility and value."

One relationship partner responsible for the pitch commented: "Saphra is all about innovation. Colt is a technology company and they want all their suppliers to be at the forefront of developments in the sector."

GTM's mandate to advise Colt on all employment matters comes after a deal with Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) fell through earlier this year. The agreement with BLP was originally meant to run for five years with a three-year break clause.