Magic circle firms Allen & Overy (A&O) and Linklaters have bagged plum mandates advising on the $13bn (£6.6bn) merger bid between Dubai’s two largest banks – Emirates Bank International (EBI) and National Bank of Dubai (NBD).

A&O is advising long-term client NBD, fielding a team out of its 45-lawyer Dubai office headed by relationship partner Simon Roderick. Linklaters is advising EBI with Dubai managing partner Ewan Cameron leading.