DLA looks to have the edge over Lovells in the race to be primary IP adviser to Barclays and Barclaycard, having last week helped close the FA Premier League’s £57m sponsorship deal with Barclays.

The two firms are on Barclays and Barclaycard’s panel of external legal advisers, but the latest deal sees Lovells left on the bench on a major deal for the second time running, although it is understood to continue to advise the client on IP matters.