Eversheds and Dentons have taken lead roles on the tender process for a £3.1bn deal to upgrade National Grid's UK gas distribution networks. 

Construction giant Balfour Beatty and a joint venture (JV) between Morrisons and Skanska have both been awarded eight-year contracts by the electricity and gas utility company, with the work getting underway at the start of this month. 

Eversheds advised National Grid with a team headed by Birmingham construction partner David Jones. He was supported by partners Peter Scurlock (construction), Ruth Connorton (procurement), Teresa Dolan (HR) and Stuart Earle (pensions).

Dentons advised the Morrisons/Skanska JV with a team led by London energy partner Jonathan Leech, while Balfour Beatty used its in-house lawyers.

The upgrade will see the replacement of old metal pipes with modern polyethylene pipes, together with several other capital asset replacement activities. Balfour Beatty is upgrading the gas grid in the north west and West Midlands, while the JV will focus on the east of England and north London.  

Jones commented: "This is a highly significant project for National Grid. It is one of the biggest deals signed in the utilities sector in recent years."

In 2011, both Eversheds and Dentons were appointed to a slimmed-down National Grid legal panel after a review that saw the roster reduced from 25 to 16 firms. 

Alison Kay took over as National Grid GC this January, succeeding Helen Mahy, who has taken a new role as chairwoman at Obelisk Legal Support, a legal business that provides flexible staffing services for in-house departments and law firms.