Toughest deal: The London office of US firm Jones Day advised ArmorGroup International, the provider of protective security, ordnance reduction, mine clearance and security services, on its £4.3 million acquisition of Phoenix CP. Hereford firm Gordon Lutton acted for the vendors of Phoenix CP, a specialist provider of close protection training.


Most resourceful deal: The London office of US/UK firm Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Nicholson Graham advised IB Daiwa UK on its £109 million recommended offer for Lodore Resources, an oil and gas specialist. The deal is the first time a company listed on Japan's Jasdaq stock market has extended an all-share offer to acquire a company on the Alternative Investment Market. London firm Fladgate Fielder advised Lodore.


Greatest deal: National firm Pinsent Masons is acting for legal recruitment company Longbridge International on the reverse takeover of niche finance, IT and medical recruitment business Greatfleet, whose vendors are advised by London firm Lawrence Graham. The London office of Scottish firm Maclay Murray & Spens is advising broker Noble & Co.


Hippest deal: London firm Harbottle & Lewis advised Campus Media on its acquisition of Stonesthrowmedia for £12.2 million and a £7 million placing. Stonesthrowmedia is the holding company of Channelfly, a music management group whose bands include Franz Ferdinand. The London office of Manchester-based Halliwells acted for nominated adviser and broker Seymour Pierce.


Most acrobatic deal: The London office of US/UK firm Mayer Brown Rowe & Maw advised US financial services organisation TIAA-CREF on its £206 million acquisition of 1 and 7 Westferry Circus, Canary Wharf, from the Canary Wharf Group, advised by City giant Clifford Chance. Berwin Leighton Paisner advised funder the Royal Bank of Scotland.


Most principled deal: City firm Stephenson Harwood advised on the £50 million launch of Principle Capital Investment Trust. The trust aims to achieve superior investment returns by applying private equity-style disciplines to investing in publicly quoted companies.