Linklaters and Allen & Overy (A&O) are among six law firms to have been appointed to Cadent's first-ever legal panel, following the gas company's split from National Grid.

Cadent, which was formerly known as National Grid Gas Distribution, took on its new identity last year after its £14bn split from National Grid in October 2016, and now stands as a separate business.

For the past two years, the company has used National Grid's existing 12-firm legal panel, but has now set up a more compact six-firm line-up.

Linklaters, which also sits on the National Grid panel, will advise on corporate finance and governance alongside newcomer A&O.

National Grid panel members CMS and Eversheds Sutherland will handle general legal services for Cadent alongside newcomer Gowling WLG, while CMS and Gowling WLG will also cover regulatory matters in tandem with Dentons, which is also on the National Grid panel.

The company said the review had been driven by a desire to create a more focused legal team tailored to Cadent's needs and requirements, driving the company values by working closer with firms on a more regular basis.

The tender process, which was led by head of legal Diane Bennett, started in April 2018 and concluded last month. The new panel takes effect from today (1 October).

In a statement, Bennett said: "We have selected a panel that matches our business needs and which we believe has exactly the right attributes to take our business forward over the next few years."

The panel will run for three years with two possible one-year extensions.

National Grid's 12-firm panel was last renewed in 2017, with all firms retaining their spots until 1 September 2019. The company's other advisers include Addleshaw Goddard, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, Bircham Dyson Bell, DLA Piper, Herbert Smith Freehills, Irwin Mitchell, Norton Rose Fulbright and Shakespeare Martineau.