Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has stepped up its efforts to outsource low-margin property work to smaller firms as the City giant moves to bolster the profitability of its real estate practice.

In a move that mirrors Lovells’ ‘Mexican-Wave’ model, Freshfields now regularly farms out due diligence work to firms with operations outside London that include national firms Shoosmiths and Eversheds as well as Cheltenham firm BPE and Exeter practice Michelmores.