DEALS OF THE WEEK 28.09.2000

Steeliest deal: Ince & Co advised FerrousExchange on the launch of the first real-time 'bid/ask' electronic exchange for the global steel industry.

The exchange claims to be the only trading platform that allows buyers and sellers of iron and steel products to obtain real-time pricing and execute instant forward transactions.

Most locked up deal: Masons advised the South African government on the 150 million public/private partnership (PPP) for the construction of the Louis Trichardt prison.

Claimed to be the largest in the world, the prison will house 3,024 maximum security inmates.

Project funders Rand Merchant Bank and BoE Bank were advised by South African firm Deneys Reitz; Webber Wentzel Bowens and Werkmans advised operating company Kensani Corrections.

Most critical deal: Birmingham firm Wragge & Co acted for British Airways on the outsourcing of a number of 'mission critical' services, including reservations and departure control systems, to Amadeus Global Travel Distribution, advised by Sussex firm Rawlinson & Butler.

The contract is worth 600 million euros (360 million) over ten years.

Most seaworthy deal: Addleshaw Booth & Co and the Brussels, Milan and Madrid offices of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer advised package holiday company Airtours on its 350 million sale of its 50% stake in Costa Crociere, an Italian cruise company, to Carnival Corporation, the world's largest cruise group.

Herbert Smith advised Carnival.

Most taxing deal: Clifford Chance acted for Greenwich Natwest, lead manager and underwriter for Project Academy, a 210 million PPP to provide a new academy for the Italian tax police in Bari.

Main contractor Pizzarotti was advised by Paris firm the Law Offices of Derek Elliot.

It the first significant accommodation PPP to be signed outside the UK.

Most axiomatic deal: Manchester firm Halliwell Landau advised Axiom Internet Group, which produces psychometric personality test software, on its reversal into the Harrogate Group, which is listed on the Alternative Investment Market.

Axiom has bought the entire issued share capital for 6.9 million.

Fellow Manchester firm Wacks Caller advised Harrogate.

Most industrious deal: Paisner & Co advised Gough Cooper Properties on the 20 million buy-out of its stake in the Questor Industrial Estate in Dartford, Kent by joint owner Clerical Medical Investment Group.

Forsters represented Clerical Medical.