Most biological deal: Newcastle firm Dickinson Dees advised InRotis Technologies, a spin-off company from Newcastle University, on a fundraising deal that will allow the company to roll out its computational systems-biology tools to the drug discovery market. The tools help pharmaceutical companies speed up the process of drug development. Scottish firm McGrigors advised investor RAB Capital.

Most sparkling deal: The Manchester office of Cobbetts advised exploration company Sunrise Diamonds on its admission to the Alternative Investment Market (AIM). The company will use the money raised to fund exploration in Finland. Manchester firm Halliwells advised broker WH Ireland.


Most resolute deal: City firm Herbert Smith is acting for Britannic Group on its £1.8 billion merger with Resolution Life. Magic circle firm Slaughter and May is advising Resolution on the deal, which will create the leading UK closed life fund consolidator with six million policies and £35 billion life company assets.


Best processed deal: London firm Nabarro Nathanson acted for payment processing company FireOne on its admission to AIM and a £24 million fundraising. City firm Travers Smith acted for nominated adviser and underwriter Numis Securities.


Most reassuring deal: The London office of US/UK firm Mayer Brown Rowe & Maw advised the management of personal and home reassurance telecare company Tunstall Group on its £225 million buyout from HgCapital, advised by City firm Lovells. Once completed, the telecare division of the Attendo Group, which is owned by private equity house Bridgepoint, will then be combined with the business. City firms Travers Smith and Linklaters both acted for Bridgepoint.


Cutest deal: Lovells acted for Charterhouse Capital Partners on its £300 million acquisition of Cannon Avent, the baby care products manufacturer. Nabarro Nathanson acted for the sellers, husband and wife team Edward and Celia Atkin, while national firm Addleshaw Goddard advised 3i on selling its 21% stake.


Most on-the-ball deal: The Manchester office of Ricksons advised Adidas on its sponsorship deal for AC Milan and Brazil football star Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, aka Kaká, who was advised by Spanish firm Garrigues.