Deals of the week - 16.05.2002

Most aquatic deal: Simmons & Simmons acted for Vivendi Water UK on the 2 billion acquisition of First Aqua, the holding company of Southern Water, advised by Clifford Chance.

Simmons and Allen & Overy are advising jointly on financing issues going forward.

Most sought-after deal: Nottingham-based Browne Jacobson acted for Pimpernel International, a leading table-mat and coaster manufacturer, on the 4.5 million acquisition of its main UK competitor, Cloverleaf Group, advised by Burges Salmon in Bristol, and a 20.5 million refinancing by 3i, represented by Birmingham's Wragge & Co, and Bank of Scotland, advised by Eversheds.

Best peopled deal: London firm Mischon de Reya acted for UBS Capital, HSBC and the management in the 34 million sale of health, care and education sector recruitment company The Local Group to Reed Health Group, represented by Slaughter and May.

Cleanest deal: Manchester firm Pannone & Partners acted for the management team of commercial cleaning company Vaclensa on its buy-out for an undisclosed sum.

Blackburn firm Farleys acted for the seller, while funding was provided by Lloyd's Bank, advised by Cobbetts, and the Davenham Group, advised in-house.

Smartest deal: London firm Memery Crystal acted for Savile Row tailors Gieves & Hawkes on its 8 million purchase by Marvinbond, advised in-house.

Best travelled deal: Cheltenham firm Wiggin & Co acted for Telewest Communications, Barclays Private Equity, Kuoni Travel, and the management on the $100 million disposal of their shares in TV Travel Group to USA Networks, advised by Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.

Most fashion-conscious deal: DLA represented JD Sports on its 53 million purchase of Black Leisure Group's sport and fashion division, comprising First Sport, AV and Pure Woman.

Norton Rose acted for Black Leisure.

Slickest deal: M4 firm Morgan Cole acted for BP Oil on the management buy-out of its truckstops business to a company led by the operation's manager, advised by Addleshaw Booth & Co.

The MBO was supported by the 13.5 million sale of the business's properties to Hobden Cromwell, advised by Addleshaw Booth & Co.

Slowest deal: SJ Berwin acted for Delancey Estates on the 24 million purchase of a site at Victoria Bus Garage in Pimlico, London, in a transaction which began in 1995 and has been dogged by planning and rights of light issues.

Trowers & Hamlins acted for the seller, Network Housing.

Friendliest deal: Norton Rose advised Friends Ivory & Sime on its 240 million purchase of Royal & Sun Alliance Investments to create an asset management group with 70 billion under management.

Allen & Overy acted for Royal & Sun Alliance.