DEALS OF THE WEEK

22.11.2001

Doughiest deal: Denton Wilde Sapte acted for General Mills on the 7.1 billion purchase of the Pillsbury food business - best known for its dough products, but also including Green Giant vegetables and Haagen-Dasz ice cream - from Diageo, advised by Slaughter and May.Most rewarding deal: City firm Stringer Saul advised the Croner CCH Publishing group on its purchase of the Reward Group, a Staffordshire-based remuneration information company, advised by Birmingham firm Heatons.Roundest deal: Manchester firm Halliwell Landau acted for Maple Leaf Foods UK on its acquisition for an undisclosed amount of the New York Bagel Company, which was advised by City firm Fox Williams.Best researched deal: CMS Cameron McKenna acted formarketing and communications group Incepta on is 12.5 million acquisition of Hauck Research Services, advised by Landwell.Most terminal deal: Linklaters advised Lattice Group on the termination of a UK telecoms masts joint venture between its Tadco Telecom Holdings subsidiary and SpectraSite International (SSI), advised by Eversheds.

The termination was effected by another Lattice entity, Telecom International Holdings, buying SSI's 50% stake in the joint venture.Most secret deal: City firm Lovells acted for Healey & Baker, one of the world's largest surveying companies, on its new headquarters in London's Portman Square.

It was the largest West End letting so far this year and completed, unusually, without any leaks to the market.

Edwards Geldard advised Chevron UK, which assigned its lease to Healey & Baker.Most fiery deal: Surrey firm Stevens & Bolton acted for the management of John Dennis Coach Builders, the fire engine bodybuilder, on their purchase of the company, as well as the funders Lloyds TSB Commercial.

Fellow Surrey firm Barlows acted for the vendors.Most arresting deal: Masons acted for the Metropolitan Police Service on a 120 million private finance initiative to build four police stations.

Equion, which will build and operate the stations, was advised by Denton Wilde Sapte, which also advised Laing Investments on equity funding.

Rowe & Maw advised Laing Construction on the building, while CMS Cameron McKenna represented Dresdner Bank, which provided funding.