Slaughter and May and Clifford Chance (CC) are lining up opposite each other to advise BAE Systems on the proposed sale of its stake in European aircraft maker Airbus, which is expected to raise up to £3bn.

Slaughters is advising UK defence and aerospace group BAE Systems, which last week confirmed that it is in early talks with Franco-German group EADS to sell its 20% stake in Airbus.