Most testing deal: London firm Wedlake Bell advised Quotient BioResearch on its £21 million acquisition of HFL, the provider of sports forensic testing and pharmaceutical research and development services, from the Horserace Betting Levy Board. HFL's laboratory near Cambridge is one of only two testing centres in the UK that are accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency. UK firm Dundas & Wilson advised the seller, while Irish firm Arthur Cox acted for funder Ulster Bank and the Cambridge office of Mills & Reeve advised HFL's management.


Coldest deal: City firm Herbert Smith advised Polar Capital, the specialist asset management group, on its admission to AIM with a market capitalisation of £120 million. National firm Addleshaw Goddard acted for the nominated adviser and broker, Bridgewell.



Tallest deal: City firms SJ Berwin and CMS Cameron McKenna advised private investment bank Evans Randall and German fund manager IVG respectively on their joint acquisition of 30 St Mary Axe in London - otherwise known as the Gherkin - for more than £600 million. Magic circle firm Linklaters acted for the vendor, Swiss Reinsurance.



Most adventurous deal: City firm Taylor Wessing acted for Tussauds on a new, 150-bed hotel to be based at Chessington World of Adventures. UK firm McGrigors acted for BDL, which will operate the hotel as a Holiday Inn.



Most fashionable deal: City firm Travers Smith advised the management of Jimmy Choo, the shoes and accessories business, on a £185 million buyout backed by TowerBrook Capital Partners. US firm Kirkland & Ellis advised TowerBrook, while SJ Berwin acted for majority shareholder Lion Capital.



Most delightful deal: National firm Pinsent Masons advised application software business RedSky IT on its sale to Canada-based Explorer Software for an undisclosed sum. Birmingham firm Wragge & Co advised Explorer, which simultaneously sold RedSky IT's hospitality, retail and travel software businesses to MICROS Systems. Reading firm Boyes Turner acted for MICROS.



Most African deal: UK/US firm DLA Piper advised the government of the Republic of Zambia on the sale of 49% of the shares in Zambia National Commercial Bank, the country's largest state-owned bank, to Dutch financial services group Rabobank for an undisclosed sum. Rabobank was advised by an in-house legal team and Zambian law firm Mulenga Mundashi & Co.