SJ Berwin is in line to win Ashurst Morris Crisp’s long standing property client Asda Property Holdings as the firms await the outcome of a £231.7m takeover bid by BL Davidson.

Ashursts’ corporate practice was brought in to advise Asda on the deal. SJ Berwins, Asda’s traditional corporate adviser, would normally have been instructed but was conflicted through its instruction for key client British Land – one half of the joint venture bidding for Asda.