Most precocious deal: Yorkshire firm McCormicks advised Southampton Football Club on the £12 million transfer of Theo Walcott to Premiership club Arsenal, advised by City firm Slaughter and May. The deal, which included an immediate payment of £5 million, made Walcott the most expensive 16-year-old in world football.

Hungriest deal: The corporate group at Kent firm Cripps Harries Hall advised French company Groupe Le Duff on the completion of a concession agreement with Harrods to open a French bread and patisserie boutique within the new Harrods development at 102 Brampton Road, London. It will be the first concession of the company's Le Fournil de Pierre brand in the UK. Harrods was advised by its in-house team.


Most innovative deal: City firm Clifford Chance advised Dubai Ports Authority on its $3.5 billion (£1.9 billion) sukuk-al-musharaka (certificate of ownership) issue, which is to be listed on the Dubai International Financial Exchange (DIFX). It is the world's largest single sukuk issue to date, the first to be convertible into equity on initial public offering, and the first listed on the DIFX. City firm Denton Wilde Sapte advised Barclays Bank and Dubai Islamic Bank as lead managers.


Most splendid deal: London firm Finers Stephens Innocent advised the Splendid Hotel Group on its £33 million acquisition of the Queen Ann's Chambers site in Victoria, London, from the Treasury Solicitor. The site, which is located next to New Scotland Yard, was originally built in the 19th century as a hospital. Taunton firm Davitt Jones Bould acted for the Treasury Solicitor.


Steeliest deal: Regional firm Cobbetts advised Stackright Building Systems on its sale to Metalrax Group for up to £4.7 million. Stackright is a leading designer of steel anti-vandal accommodation. Its product range includes secure accommodation and toilets. The Birmingham office of HBJ Gateley Wareing acted for the purchaser.