Deepest deal: Preston law firm Ricksons advised the management team behind Lord Technical Utilities and the Leeds office of Eversheds represented Integrated Environmental Technology Group on the launch of their joint venture, 40SEVEN. It aims to offer a new, non-intrusive method of detecting and mapping underground utilities carrying water, gas, electricity and telecommunication services, with the goal of reducing the number of holes dug in the UK every year.

Tastiest deal: City firm Lawrence Graham acted for Craftbutton on its £29 million bid to take private Paramount, the restaurant chain that includes the Chez Gerard, Bertorelli's, Livebait and Café Fish brands. Westminster firm Bircham Dyson Bell advised Paramount and national practice Pinsent Masons represented funder HSBC.


Best funded deal: North-west firm DWF acted for The Funding Corporation in its acquisition of motor finance specialists County Leasing & Finance and Benton Finance from Five Arrows Leasing Group, advised by DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary. The deal is valued at £70 million.


Best assembled deal: London firm Forsters acted for Opus Land in concluding a site assembly and regeneration project at St Paul's Road, Wednesbury, west midlands, which will have an end value of £45 million. It took four years to complete owing to the need to bring together numerous landowners, along with complex development and planning requirements. The development is being undertaken with clients of Arlington Property Investors, providing finance, advised by City firm Nabarro Nathanson. Hammonds advised Sandwell Borough Council and also Advantage West Midlands on grant funding.


Most cared-for deal: City firm Simmons & Simmons acted for Ashbourne Healthcare in the £88 million purchase by auction of Ridgmont Care Homes, one of the largest care home operators in England. London firm Olswang acted for the management team and funds managed by Graphite Capital selling Ridgmont.