The oil giant's first panel review in three years has seen its list of preferred legal advisers slashed from triple to single digits, with just six firms chosen to sit on the global panel for the next four years commencing in May. Allen & Overy, Baker & Mackenzie, Clifford Chance, Eversheds, Norton Rose Fulbright and Reed Smith are the only firms to have endured through the review, with a further 244 firms failing to secure renewed spots.

Factors considered

Shell's panel review was conducted over six months under the leadership of the company's Canada-based associate general counsel for disputes, strategy and coordination Gordon McCue. A global footprint, data security and privacy programmes, secondee availability, 'advice hotlines' for Shell lawyers to outside counsel and fee rates were among factors considered in the review process, he said. Sources: The Lawyer; Legal Week