Prize-winning deal: City firm Ashurst advised bingo and casino operator Gala on its £2.1 billion acquisition of bookmaking chain Coral Eurobet. The company will become the UK's third largest bookmaker following the deal. US firm Latham & Watkins is acting for Coral, while Linklaters is advising the banks and Travers Smith is acting for management.

Most copper-plated deal: City firm Norton Rose is advising Kazakhmys, Kazakhstan's largest producer of copper, on its initial public offering and listing on the London Stock Exchange. Linklaters is acting for JPMorgan Cazenove and Credit Suisse First Boston as joint global co-ordinators for the offering.


Most Freudian deal: City firm Lewis Silkin advised Publicis Group on its acquisition of a 50.1% stake in Freud Communications, the public relations firm, for an undisclosed sum. Freud's clients include Nike, KitKat and Jack Daniel's. Bristol-based Osborne Clarke advised its shareholders.


Tastiest deal: London firm Olswang advised Richard Caring on his acquisition of Signature Restaurants, owner of 25 Strada pizza restaurants, two Belgo sites and three Bierodrome restaurants. National firm Pinsent Masons advised the sellers.


Most relaxing deal: The Leicester office of Howes Percival advised travel company Page & Moy on the sale of its retail business, 1st4cruising.com, to Totally Travel. The acquiror is owned by Harry Goodman, who was advised by US/UK firm Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Nicholson Graham, and Clive Jacobs, who was advised by City firm Berwin Leighton Paisner.


Most educational deal: City firm Travers Smith advised Exponent Private Equity on the acquisition of TSL Education from News International for £235 million. TSL owns the Times Educational Supplement and the Times Higher Educational Supplement. Allen & Overy advised News International, while Clifford Chance acted for the banking syndicate of Barclays Bank and BNP Paribas. National firm Addleshaw Goddard advised TSL Education's new chief executive, Bernard Gray.


Wildest deal: National firm Pinsent Masons advised home shopping specialist Flying Brands on its £4.3 million acquisition of Garden Bird Supplies, one of the UK's largest providers of food and accessories for birds and other wildlife. Midlands firm Needham & James advised Garden Bird.