Osborne Clarke confirmed on BT Group's new Legal Panel

International legal practice Osborne Clarke has been confirmed for BT Group's new Legal Panel, which will be in place for the next three years. 

BT Group has reduced the number of firms on its Legal Panel from 15 to 11, as part of a drive to focus its legal work with a smaller set of key strategic partners. This will enable those firms to gain a deeper understanding of BT Group, and ensure greater alignment across different projects.

Firms on the panel will have the opportunity to bid for all external legal work across BT Group over that period, supporting the company’s key objectives and programmes. In addition to Osborne Clarke, the firms who were chose are Addleshaw Goddard, Allen & Overy, BCLP, Bird & Bird, Clifford Chance, CMS, DWF, Freshfields, Simmons & Simmons and TLT.

As part of the selection process, BT Group reviewed law firms from across the UK, benchmarking them on a range of criteria including experience, cost and their ability to support the development of BT Group’s in-house legal talent. Clear evidence of inclusion, equity and diversity in their practices was also key – with Osborne Clarke having been highly commended previously.

For the 2024 panel, usage and incorporation of AI in their operations was also a key selection metric, as BT Group seeks to capitalise on advances driven by the adoption of AI. BT Group has also confirmed that it will include an automatic place on the next panel (2027-2030) for the firm that evidences the most efficiencies through the use of AI and other technologies over the next three years, alongside the continued place for best inclusion, equity and diversity performance. 

Jon Fell, BT Group's key client Partner at Osborne Clarke said, "It's fantastic to be re-appointed to BT Group's new Legal Panel, and we look forward to working together and strengthening our collaboration around technology and DEI over the next three years."

Osborne Clarke works with many of the leading players in the UK telecoms market including telecoms operators, mobile service providers, unified communications providers, infrastructure companies and technology suppliers around the world giving it a broad understanding of the wider communications industry.