Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and CMS Cameron McKenna have taken lead roles on Heineken's £412m purchase of the RBS Galaxy pub estate.

Freshfields led for Heineken, fielding a team headed by London corporate partner Sundeep Kapila alongside City tax head Sarah Falk.

CMS acted for RBS, with London corporate partner and head of consumer products Louise Wallace taking the key role with City real estate partner Martin Pennell.

Heineken is a longstanding client of Freshfields, with the latest role coming after the firm advised the beer company in January this year on its acquisition of two breweries in Nigeria from manufacturing company Sona Group.

Kapila said: "Scottish & Newcastle Pub Company, a subsidiary of Heineken, had been managing the Galaxy portfolio for some time and so with that familiarity it seemed a natural fit.

"I do not think this is more widely indicative of signs that M&A is picking up, but I think it shows that where there are attractive assets and a sensible business case deals are getting done."

The deal will see Heineken triple its number of UK outlets, adding 918 new premises to its already existing 462-strong fleet, making it one of the largest pub operators in the UK.

Both Freshfields and CMS were reappointed to the RBS panel at the close of 2009.