Most leisurely deal: City firm Ashurst advised Electra Partners Europe on the £144 million acquisition of Travelsphere Holdings from HgCapital, Travelsphere's management and other shareholders. Travelsphere is a leading operator of escorted holidays, selling its packages direct to consumers without a travel agent. City firm Lovells advised HgCapital, while the Leicester office of Howes Percival acted for management.

Most educational deal: Niche London firm The Projects Partnership advised Middlesex First, part of the Servite Houses Group, on a £21 million outsourcing deal with Middlesex University. Under the deal, Servite purchased two halls of residence and arranged a long lease on a further two. National firm Eversheds advised the university, while UK/US firm DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary acted for Barclays Bank. City firm Devonshires advised Servite on finance and property matters.


Most commoditised deal: London firm Fladgate Fielder advised Tambelan on the £24 million sale of its interest in its contract with Sucden - a UK-based commodities trading firm - to Commoditrade. City firm SJ Berwin advised the purchaser, while Eversheds in Birmingham acted for nominated adviser Strand Partners and broker WH Ireland.


Smartest deal: City firm Clyde & Co advised Bora Communications on its reverse takeover of Eleksen, which gave the latter a market capitalisation of £20 million on its readmission to the Alternative Investment Market. Eleksen has developed a smart fabric touchpad which can be programmed to control electronic devices, including iPod and MP3 players. London firm Nabarro Nathanson advised Eleksen, while the London office of US firm Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Nicholson Graham advised broker WH Ireland.