Slaughter and May and Baker McKenzie are among the firms to sit on Royal Dutch Shell's revamped legal roster, after the company renounced its long-standing panel structure.

The energy giant previously operated a single global legal panel coupled with various local panels, but has now scrapped this model in favour of a 65-strong single roster.

The panel includes tax and consulting firms, alternative service providers and minority women business enterprises as well as law firms, according to a Shell spokesperson.

Slaughters' Netherlands-based 'best friend' partner De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek has also bagged a place on the new-look panel, according to two people with knowledge of the process.

Baker McKenzie and Reed Smith have also been appointed, according to a person apiece at each firm.

Reed Smith and Baker McKenzie previously sat on Shell's global panel, along side Allen & Overy, Clifford Chance, Eversheds Sutherland and Norton Rose Fulbright, among others.

The Shell spokesperson said: "Combined, the new roster of 65 firms is designed to ensure appropriate coverage across the many jurisdictions where Shell operates, while providing a diverse range of legal and broader expertise.

"In particular, the new panel strengthens expertise in key markets for us such Brazil, Mexico, Africa and Asia Pacific," the spokesperson added.

Last year, Shell appointed Richard Hill as its new general counsel of the downstream sector, along with other changes to its legal team.

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