UK publication The Lawyer reports that the firm will provide a range of services to the financial arm of the car giant. Among those will be undertaking strategic HR planning and employee training on legal matters.

But the appointment came as an open-ended arrangement with the company, the firm said. And Eversheds' employment partner Audrey Williams said the deal was not part of a wider panel review, The Lawyer reports.

The financial arm of VW was happy with the result, its head of legal and compliance, John Turwell said. 

"The Eversheds team proved itself to be transparent and straightforward with a commercial approach that goes beyond legal counsel, he said.