Magic circle firms Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Allen & Overy (A&O) have scooped the main roles on the latest European energy merger as the two biggest Dutch utility groups Essent and Nuon tie the knot in a €24bn (£16bn) deal.

Freshfields is advising longstanding client Essent with corporate partner Steven Perrick and competition partner Winfred Knibbeler heading the team.