Most collectable deal: National firm Pinsent Masons advised broker KBC Peel Hunt on the £4.5 million reverse takeover by Noble Investments UK of the AH Baldwin & Sons coin-dealing business and its associated company Baldwin's Auctions. Noble, which was advised by City firm Memery Crystal, has built a specialist business dealing in the buying and selling of ancient Greek, Roman Empire, Byzantine, English and European coinage. London and south-east firm DMH Stallard advised the vendors of the Baldwins' businesses.

Most assertive deal: City firm Stephenson Harwood advised venture capital firm Arts Alliance on the £14.3 million sale of Asserta Holdings to News International. Asserta owns the propertyfinder.com Web site that advertises properties for sale and rent. The London office of Osborne Clarke advised News International.


Most thirst-quenching deal: Blake Lapthorn Linnell's Southampton office advised Hampshire's oldest independent brewer, George Gale & Co, on its £92 million sale to Fuller Smith & Turner. As well as owning a brewery in Horndean, Gales owns 111 pubs in the southern counties. City firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer acted for Fullers on the deal, the largest in the Chiswick-based brewer's history.


Safest deal: Birmingham and London firm Wragge & Co and Canadian firm McMillan Binch Mendelsohn advised Antigua-based on-line gaming company English Harbour on its proposed $23.3 million (£13.6 million) acquisition by Leisure & Gaming. Established in 1997, English Harbour was one of the first Internet casino businesses. City firm Berwin Leighton Paisner acted for Leisure & Gaming.


Most energetic deal: London firm Lawrence Graham and Australian firm Deacons advised Anzon Energy on its admission to the Alternative Investment Market with a market capitalisation of more than £70 million. Anzon, an Australian company, has oil and gas interests in Australia and Indonesia. City firm CMS Cameron McKenna advised broker Investec.