Deals of the week - 12.12.2002

Most fashionable deal: City firm Macfarlanes acted for Broad Gain (UK) on its takeover bid for the outstanding 49.9% of the issued share capital of Harvey Nichols.

Norton Rose advised the retail and restaurant group.

The deal values the whole company at 138 million.

Most scientific deal: City firm Simmons & Simmons acted for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) on the 150 million sale of a strategic stake in its scientific research body QinetiQ to global private equity firm, the Carlyle Group, advised by Clifford Chance.

The MoD will continue to hold the majority economic interest, but ultimately intends to sell its entire stake in the company.

Herbert Smith acted for QinetiQ.

Most equitable deal: City firm DLA advised HSBC Private Equity and Volution Holdings on its 125 million acquisition of the Vent Axia and Cable Management Products divisions of Smiths Group.

Lovells acted for Smiths Group while the management was advised by Allen & Overy.

Most hygienic deal: City firm Linklaters acted for the Van Malderen family on the 1.2 billion (770 million) sale of its shares in hygiene company Ontex to Candover, advised by Ashurst Morris Crisp.

It is said to be the first major public to private transaction in Belgium.

Most hairy deal: City firm Nicholson Graham & Jones acted for the Loftus Family Property Group on the letting of an 8,000 sq ft site in London's West End to Hair Colour Consultants, owners of the Daniel Galvin hairdressing chain, advised by Howard Kennedy.

It is set to be the largest hairdressers in Europe.

Best travelled deal: Surrey firm Stevens & Bolton advised the Association of British Travel Agents on the 5 million sale of its subsidiary, TTC Training, to National Training Providers, represented by national firm Irwin Mitchell.

Most bowled-over deal: City firm Wedlake Bell acted for Surrey County Cricket Club on the signing of a 20-year agreement with the England and Wales Cricket Board, advised in-house, securing the future of Test Match and one-day international cricket at the AMP Oval in London.

Most kicking deal: City firm Ashurst Morris Crisp acted for arrangers Lazard and un-named UK institutional investors in the closing of a 75 million bond deal for Tottenham Hotspur Football Club for use on a range of capital projects.

The club was advised by DLA on the deal, the largest privately placed bond issue for a football club in Europe.