The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) has created a new panel of legal advisers and appointed its first in-house legal adviser.

The SPFL, which was formed in 2013 by the merger of the Scottish Premier League and the Scottish Football League, comprises Scottish football's top four divisions – the Scottish Premiership, Championship, League One and Two, which between them include 42 clubs.

For the past 20 years, the SPFL has primarily used Scots firm Harper Macleod for legal advice, but has now created a new four-firm panel, with Brabners, Fladgate, gunnercooke and Shepherd and Wedderburn appointed for an indefinite period.

The tender process, which was run by assistant company secretary Calum Beattie, saw more than 10 firms pitch for places.

The league's former relationship partner at Harper Macleod, senior partner Rod McKenzie, is also joining the SPFL in a part-time role as legal counsel after announcing his retirement from the firm.

McKenzie was one of the founding partners of Harper Macleod, and during his time there was also head of the litigation and dispute resolution practice group, as well as senior partner.

SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster said: "I would like to thank the team at Harper Macleod for their advice over the past 20 years. I am looking forward to working with a new team of legal advisers, which includes some of the best legal minds in sports law from across the UK."

McKenzie added: "When I was retiring from Harper Macleod it was of importance to me to continue my relationship of almost 20 years with the SPL/SPFL, the last 16 years of which has been as its principal legal adviser.

"This appointment has enabled me to continue the work I have been undertaking for the League and I am grateful to the SPFL board for allowing me this exciting opportunity at what is a critical time for the game in Scotland."