National Grid has dropped three firms from its legal panel, following a review by the U.K. electricity and gas giant.

Norton Rose Fulbright, Irwin Mitchell and BDB Pitmans no longer occupy positions on the refurbished 10-strong panel, according to the company. Meanwhile, Womble Bond Dickinson has been added to the line-up.

The FTSE 100-listed company previously told Law.com's Legal Week that it was looking to slim down its legal panel.

Following a review in 2017, the panel previously comprised 12 firms: Linklaters, Norton Rose Fulbright, Herbert Smith Freehills, CMS, DLA Piper, Eversheds Sutherland, Addleshaw Goddard, Dentons, Irwin Mitchell, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, BDB Pitmans and Shakespeare Martineau.

Alison Kay, the group's general counsel and company secretary, said in a statement: "The key objective of the review was to create a panel that is efficient, effective, future facing and innovative.

"Having run an extensive process over the last seven months, the interest we received was remarkable. We had over 60 companies apply. The successful firms demonstrated an alignment to National Grid's values and an understanding of our current and future aspirations. We are very pleased that they are prepared to partner with us on that journey."

The company further added that the new contract period will begin on February 1, 2020 and will run for three years, with the option to extend for a further two years.

In January, National Grid hired former Gowling WLG head of energy, partner Derek Goodban, as its new U.K. general counsel.

He replaced Rachael Davidson, who left her role in August last year to become GC at National Grid Ventures, a subsidiary company that delivers products and services to customers outside of National Grid's core operations.

Linklaters, CMS, Eversheds Sutherland declined to comment.

All other firms have been approached for comment.