Deals of the Week

DEALS OF THE WEEK

06.09.2001

Most direct deal: Ashurst Morris Crisp acted for SWL Holdings, a company owned by Simon Ware-Lane, on the acquisition of 49 million shares in Claims Direct from Barker Securities, the company run by solicitor Colin Poole and Tony Sullman, who were advised by Eversheds.

The consideration for the acquisition has been deferred until SWL has placed sufficient Claims Direct shares with third parties to satisfy the deferred consideration, or otherwise elects to pay it from its own cash resources.Darkest deal: Charles Russell acted for BV Group on its 3.5 million acquisition of Midnight Communications, advised by Shadbolt & Co.Sleepiest deal: Travers Smith Braithwaite advised Steinhoff UK Beds, the subsidiary of a South African company, on its 37 million takeover of bed manufacturer Relyon Group, represented by CMS Cameron McKenna.Most scientific deal: The London office of US firm Bryan Cave advised Fugro Holdings, the subsidiary of a Dutch company, on its 59 million purchase of leading geoscience company Robertson Research Holdings.

Marriott Harrison acted for Simon Engineering (Finance), which owned 49.9% of the company, and the seven senior manager who owned 50.1%.Most mobile deal: Slaughter and May acted for Ericsson on its joint venture with Sony, advised by Baker & McKenzie, to merge their mobile phone businesses worldwide.

The two businesses sold 50 million units worth $7.2 billion last year.Most rock-solid deal: Reading firm Pitmans acted for the shareholders of Atlas Stone Products on the sale of the company for an undisclosed sum to Robert Brett & Sons, a leading independent construction materials company.

Canterbury firm Furley Page acted for Robert Brett, while Addleshaw Booth & Co advised 3i Group, which backed the 1995 management buy-out of Atlas.Most closely watched deal: Rowe & Maw acted for close circuit television and security equipment company Upperpoint Manufacturing on its 5.5 million acquisition of TDSi, which makes electronic access controls.

South-west firms Bond Pearce and Osborne Clarke acted for the vendors.Most on-the-ball deal: Clifford Chance advised new client Video Networks on the acquisition of exclusive UK video-on-demand rights to FA Premier League football for the next three years.

Denton Wilde Sapte acted for the Premier League.