Most spine-chilling deal: Newcastle-based Dickinson Dees advised RMT, administrators of The Horror Channel, on the station's acquisition by Amore TV for an undisclosed sum. Newcastle firm Sintons advised the purchaser of the channel, the UK's first station dedicated to horror films, television series and their creators.


Best accommodated deal: London firm Maxwell Batley advised Oriel Hotels, the owner of eight Express Holiday Inn hotels in England, on a £57 million refinancing. US firm Sidley Austin Brown & Wood acted for the senior lenders, Société Générale and Barclays. City firm Nabarro Nathanson advised the junior lenders, who have agreed to extend their mezzanine debt to £21 million.



Hottest deal: North-west firm Brabners Chaffe Street acted for the owners of Sheathed Heating Elements (SHEL) on the sale of the business to Swedish company Nibe Industrier for an undisclosed sum. SHEL pioneered production of the modern heating element used in kettles and immersion heaters. Nibe was advised by London firm Royds RDW.



Most accurate deal: Sheffield firm Bell & Buxton advised Skeltonhall on a partnership agreement with the Krohne international group. Skeltonhall is one of Britain's leading suppliers of liquids and gas metering systems. Northampton firm Howes Percival acted for Krohne.



Most active deal: Regional firm Laytons advised Financial Objects, a software solutions provider, on a £3 million deal to supply and install its ActiveBank product for the Derbyshire Building Society. Birmingham and London firm Wragge & Co acted for the society.



Sportiest deal: Brentwood-based Wortley Byers acted for Brentwood Leisure Trust on the transfer to it of the sports and leisure facilities previously operated by Brentwood Borough Council. The deal included transferring the management of the Brentwood Centre, another sports centre and a number of community halls. The council was advised by its in-house legal team.



Most exclusive deal: The London office of US firm Morrison & Foerster has advised UK biotechnology company Vernalis on the exercise by pharmaceutical giant Novartis of an option to license exclusive worldwide rights to its lead oncology research programme. Novartis will pay a signature fee and make further payments on achievement of certain development milestones. Total payments under the licence could exceed $75 million (£42 million). City firm Taylor Wessing acted for Novartis, which has also made an equity investment in Vernalis.



Most successful deal: City firm Olswang advised Win, the UK mobile phone data services company, on its admission to the Alternative Investment Market and an associated £10 million placing. The London office of US firm McDermott Will & Emery acted for the nominated adviser, Beaumont Cornish, and the broker, Arden Partners.