Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Addleshaw Goddard and Osborne Clarke (OC) are among seven firms to have won spots on Scottish & Southern Energy's (SSE's) inaugural legal panel.

CMS UK, Kennedys and Scottish firms Gillespie Macandrew and Thorntons have also been appointed to the energy company's roster.

Freshfields will advise on takeover defence, while Kennedys will cover personal injury litigation. Gillespie Macandrew and Thorntons will focus on Scottish property and OC, CMS and Addleshaws will handle work for various groups including construction, property, litigation, finance and corporate.

Firms are thought to have sent in their submissions in January, after tender documents were sent out last autumn.

The panel covers mandates in Great Britain only. A roster for firms in the Ireland and Northern Ireland has not yet been finalised.

SSE head of legal Liz Tanner, who oversaw the process, said: "Previously SSE had no formal panel but worked with a number of external agencies to provide legal support. The new panel will provide renewed focus and help us in delivering legal services to business areas right across SSE more efficiently.

"The agencies were selected for their strong regional presence and innovative approach to providing high quality legal services and will work collaboratively with the in house team to ensure legal advice remains aligned with SSE commercial requirements and delivers business objectives."

Tanner was appointed as the company's legal services director in October.