Eversheds and Squire Sanders are among five firms appointed by EDF for a nuclear new build project which will see the energy giant construct two power stations in the UK.

Burges Salmon and TLT have also been appointed to the line-up alongside Exeter firm Ashfords. All five firms are members of EDF's wider legal panel, but the new appointments will see them instructed to advise on construction issues in addition to general panel work.

Herbert Smith remains the principal adviser on the nuclear new build project, which will see two new plants built at Hinkley Point in Somerset and Sizewell in Suffolk, while Dundas & Wilson also has an existing relationship with EDF to advise on construction issues.

All seven firms sit on EDF's wider legal panel, which is overseen by UK general counsel Guido Santi.

An EDF spokesperson commented: "Herbert Smith and Dundas have been advising us in relation to construction for around two years. However, next year we expect this work to increase, so we took the decision to bolster the team by taking on additional support from a number of firms on our existing panel of suppliers."

The new appointments will see Burges Salmon's nuclear, renewables and environmental chief Ian Salter advise EDF on nuclear new build and issues related to existing operations, while Ashfords will advise on construction issues, with TLT providing property and commercial contract advice.

Herbert Smith has a longstanding relationship with EDF in the UK and France, with the firm's City planning team winning an instruction in 2007 to advise the energy company on its nuclear plans this side of the Channel.