Infrastructure provider National Grid has kicked off a review of its UK legal advisers with a view to cutting down the number of firms on its panel.

The electricity and gas infrastructure company is also looking to introduce more providers with capabilities outside of those normally found in big City law firms onto the roster this time round.

The tender race began last week after expressions of interest were received throughout March. Spots will be for a two-year period, shorter than the current panel's three-year initial period, but an option will be in place for a further two-year extension at National Grid's discretion.

UK general counsel Rachael Davidson will be leading the review, with group GC and company secretary Alison Kay also involved in deciding which firms pick up corporate work from the infrastructure giant.

The company's US panel is being monitored by Kay, but it is understood that no similar formal tender process is currently taking place.

The panel was trimmed by 25% down to 16 firms during National Grid's last review in 2011. Allen & Overy, Linklaters, DLA Piper and Eversheds were among the firms appointed for a three-year period, which has since been extended.

The current roster has 15 firms on it after the merger of panel firms CMS Cameron McKenna and Dundas & Wilson.

Some companies in the utilities market, for example Severn Trent and Anglian Water, have historically preferred sole provider arrangements to panels.

Both Severn Trent and Anglian Water renewed their sole provider arrangements with Eversheds earlier this year.