First TfL panel shake-up since 2007 to offer broader London remit

Transport for London (TfL) has launched its first panel review in five years, with the new roster to include work for the Greater London Authority (GLA), which now sits within TfL's remit.

The review, which is expected to conclude later this year, marks TfL's first panel exercise since 2007, when the public transport company appointed a 12-strong line-up covering major projects and mainstream work.

Those interested in pitching were asked to contact TfL's procurement management by 8 March, with firms successful in the initial screening invited to tender this month.

TfL's general counsel Howard Cater and legal director Andrea Clarke are leading the review, which will see firms appointed to advise across five key areas: major projects and commercial contracts; commercial and contractual disputes; commercial developments, property and regeneration; employment; and routine property and highway matters.

TfL has yet to make a decision on the size of the panel or length of terms; however, the last review saw Ashurst, Berwin Leighton Paisner, Bird & Bird, Clifford Chance, Eversheds, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Herbert Smith, K&L Gates, Manches, Simmons & Simmons, Travers Smith and Wragge & Co appointed.

In addition to major projects panel work, Eversheds was appointed in 2007 to handle TfL's mainstream operational work, with this role now facing scrutiny in the current review. Panel firms will also advise on work previously conducted by legacy body the London Development Agency following its takeover by the GLA in March this year.

Following a restructuring that has seen the formation of a combined legal team covering both the GLA and TfL, the legal team now has around 65 lawyers covering commercial law, dispute resolution, property & planning, employment law and public and regulatory law.

The 2007 review, which was led by TfL's then director of legal affairs Gareth John, required a range of diversity statistics from applicant firms.