19.12.2003

Most towering deal: City firm Slaughter and May and US firm Jones Day are acting for Morgan Stanley Real Estate Fund, while US firm Weil Gotshal & Manges is advising private investor Simon Glick, on their 1.56 billion offer for Canary Wharf Group, advised by Clifford Chance.

Shearman & Sterling acts for the company's executive directors, and fellow US firm Sidley Austin Brown & Wood for the debt providers.

The offer is conditional on Canary Wharf's 1.1 billion sale of two towers - Citigroup Tower and 5 Canada Square - to Royal Bank of Scotland, advised jointly by SJ Berwin and Allen & Overy.

Clifford Chance advised Canary Wharf on this too.

The sale can be completed even if the takeover is not successful.

Most onside deals: Leicester firm Spearing White acted for the Blenheim consortium on its purchase of Notts County Football club from administrators Kroll, advised by Eversheds.

Meanwhile, City firm Charles Russell is acting for the trustees of the E Davies Trust in its efforts to acquire a controlling interest of Burnden Leisure, the parent company of Bolton Wanderers.

Most odds-on deal: Teesside firm Archers acted for local betting shop chain John Joyce on its sale to Coral Eurobet, advised by Bond Pearce in Bristol, for an undisclosed sum.

Joyce has a turnover of 32 million.

Best lubricated deal: London firm Boodle Hatfield acted for Berry Bros & Rudd, the UK's oldest wine and spirit merchant, on its acquisition of wholesale wine company Morris & Verdin, advised by Oxford firm Darbys.

Oh what a deal: Hill Dickinson acted for Manchester theatrical company Handshake on breaking away from London-based International Artistes and acquire the rights to the 'Oh What a Night' show in Manchester.

It follows the acquisition of International Artistes, advised by Sheridans, by QDOS, represented by fellow London entertainment firm Clintons.

Most learned deal: London firm Simons Muirhead & Borton acted for Ten Alps Brook Lapping as lead member of a consortium which won the tender to run Teachers TV, a government-funded television channel.

City firm Charles Russell and Mills & Reeve in Cambridge acted for the other members, Carlton Television and the Institute of Education.

London firm Olswang advised the Department for Education and Skills.