Royal Mail has renewed its 13-strong legal panel for a second year, activating the panel term's "+1, +1″ option.

The postal-delivery company launched its legal panel in 2014, its first post-float. It had the option to extend the panel's term twice by one year each time. It was last renewed in August last year.

General counsel Maaike de Bie has overseen the process and the panel will next be reviewed in 2019.

Royal Mail's panel is comprised of 13 firms including Addleshaw Goddard, Ashurst, Bristows, CMS, DAC Beachcroft, DLA Piper, Dentons, Herbert Smith Freehills, Macfarlanes, Michael Simkins, Slaughter and May, Strata Solicitors and Weightmans.

De Bie joined Royal Mail in 2014 as deputy general counsel. She became GC in August 2016, after a seven-month term as acting group general counsel following Neil Harnby's departure in September 2015.

In August this year, the postal delivery company called in Ashurst to advise when it faced a possible £50m fine for breaking competition law.

Royal Mail's 2014 panel appointment was its first after the company's debut IPO in 2013, for which Slaughter & May took a lead role to advise on the float.

Royal Mail's ex-sister company The Post Office recently invited firms to tender for the seven slots on its new £39m legal services panel.