DEALS OF THE WEEK 27.03.2003

Most scientific deal: Clifford Chance acted for the Carlyle Group on its purchase of a majority controlling stake in QinetiQ Group, the former Defence Evaluation and Research Agency.

The deal values QinetiQ, advised by Herbert Smith, at 500 million.

Linklaters represented Barclays Capital and Lloyds TSB as mandated lead arrangers and joint underwriters of the financing, and Simmons & Simmons acted for the Ministry of Defence, which has retained the special share in QinetiQ to safeguard security interests.

Most airborne deal: Lovells acted for the National Air Traffic Services (NATS) on its complete financial restructuring, including a 130 million investment from the government, advised by Slaughter and May, and BAA, advised by Herbert Smith.

CMS Cameron McKenna acted for Abbey National, Bank of America, Barclays and HBOS on restructuring NATS' existing banking arrangements, while Richards Butler represented the Civil Aviation Authority on changes to the regulatory regime with a rise in the level of NATS charges.

Norton Rose acted for the Airline Group.

Most joyful deal: Nicholson Graham & Jones acted for the management team of Joycount in the management buy-in of catering and event management business By Word of Mouth, advised by Stitt & Co, and London Catering Services, advised by Horsey Flynn Lightly.

Olswang represented Sand Aire Private Equity, which provided 4 million funding.

Most collectible deal: Wolverhampton firm Manby & Steward is acting for Bilston & Battersea Enamels, manufacturer of Halcyon Days enamels, on a recommended offer from the US Enesco Group, advised by Scottish firm Dundas & Wilson.

Safest deal: Hampshire firm White & Bowker acted for the vendors of Radcom (Technologies) Ltd, which specialises in leakage reduction and wastewater flow monitoring, on its 3 million sale to safety products maker Halma, which was advised by CMS Cameron McKenna.

Most mobile deal: The Guildford office of Laytons acted for Samsung Electronics on its 17 million purchase of a 5% stake in mobile phone software maker Symbian, advised by Slaughter and May.

Most grounded deal: Bristol firm TLT acted for Atlas Access Group on its purchase of the flooring business of USG (UK), whose US parent was advised by Norton Rose.