Most historic deal: Weybridge firm Meadows Mason acted for the vendors on the sale of the Taplow House Hotel in Berkshire for £6.3 million. The house dates back to 1598. The London office of Baker & McKenzie advised the purchaser.

Tallest deal: London firm Howard Kennedy advised restaurant chain Giraffe on its recent £10 million funding from private equity group 3i. The money will be used to help the group roll out eight to ten restaurants a year. City firm Travers Smith advised 3i.


Most exhibitionist deal: The Manchester office of Ricksons advised Northern Technologies Group (NT) on the sale of two divisions as part of a corporate restructuring. NT sold its conference and exhibition centre to Training 2000, which was advised by Slater Heelis Collier Little, and its incubator unit facility to Lancashire County Developments, which was advised by Pannone; both firms are also Manchester based.


Homeliest deal: National firm Hammonds advised Findel on its £34 million acquisition of the trading business and assets of three home shopping businesses: network marketing company Kleeneze UK, on-line sports specialist Kitbag and gadget company Iwantoneofthose.com. The businesses were bought from the administrators or administrative receivers of the companies in the European Home Retail group. DLA Piper acted for PricewaterhouseCoopers and City firm Taylor Wessing for BDO.


Most illuminating deal: London firm Nabarro Nathanson advised China-based LED International on its flotation on the Alternative Investment Market and an associated placing. LED International specialises in developing LED screens and products such as signs and lamps. Hong Kong legal advice was provided by Stevenson Wong & Co, and Chinese advice by Guangxin Lawyers. City firm Richards Butler advised broker Corporate Synergy.


Most abstract deal: City firm Macfarlanes advised property developer Abstract Land on its £150 million sale to private equity firm Carlyle Group of the 307,000 sq ft Colmore Plaza development in Birmingham. City firm Herbert Smith acted for the purchaser.


Most talismanic deal: The London office of US firm Vinson & Elkins advised Endeavour International, the North Sea-focused energy company, on its acquisition of Talisman Expro for more than $400 million (£211 million). City firm CMS Cameron McKenna acted for Talisman.