Most leisurely deal: The Liverpool office of Hill Dickinson advised Liverpool City Council's regeneration team on the financial closure for a £16 million cruise liner facility. The project will involve a 250-metre extension to the present landing stage at Liverpool's Princes Dock, which will allow some of the world's largest liners to visit the city. Eversheds advised the North West Development Agency, while DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary acted for ferry company the Isle of Man Steam Packet. London firm Farrer & Co advised the Duchy of Lancaster, and an in-house team acted for Mersey Docks & Harbour Company.

Most titanic deal: City firm Berwin Leighton Paisner and French firm Gide Loyrette Nouel advised the Department for Social Development, a Northern Ireland government department, on its acquisition of the steamship SS Nomadic. Built in 1911 and the last of the famous White Star line still afloat, the Nomadic ferried passengers to the Titanic and her sister ship, Olympic. The ship will be located in Belfast's old Harland & Wolff dockyards as part of a regeneration scheme.


Most star-struck deal: Media firm Davenport Lyons acted for Los Angeles-based Mobius International on its acquisition of Capitol Films for an undisclosed multi-million pound sum. London firm SJ Berwin advised the sellers of Capitol Films, which has produced films such as 'Gosford Park' and 'Death and the Maiden' and is the UK's leading film sales agent.


Most thirst-quenching deal: The Birmingham office of Eversheds advised Java Acquisitions on its £22 million takeover of Whittard of Chelsea, the tea and coffee retailer. London firms Lawrence Graham and SJ Berwin advised Whittard's board and funder Landsbanki Islands respectively.


Bounciest deal: Regional firm Cobbetts advised the shareholders of Metflex, the manufacturer of precision rubber components, on its sale for an undisclosed sum. Metflex supplies moulded diaphragms for gas meters and speaker surrounds. Morecambe firm Ratcliffe & Bibby advised the purchasers, Phil Rogerson and John Holland.


Most gripping deal: Yorkshire firm Keeble Hawson advised the UK's largest privately owned bus company The Traction Group on its £37 million takeover by Stagecoach, advised by UK firm Maclay Murray & Spens. The Traction Group operates in Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Tayside.