Most chic deal: North-west firm Brabners Chaffe Street advised the Princes Dock Development Company, a subsidiary of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company, on the leasing of land at Liverpool Dock to boutique hotel chain Malmaison in a deal worth more than £1.5 million. Malmaison intends to build a four-star hotel and luxury apartments. National firm Addleshaw Goddard acted for Malmaison.

Most clubbable deal: Global firm Baker & McKenzie's London office advised Platinum Equity on its acquisition in the UK and France of Universal Group Direct and DIAL from Vivendi Universal for an undisclosed sum. The businesses are two of Europe's largest club-based marketers of DVD, CD and video-game entertainment. City firm SJ Berwin acted for Vivendi.


Best connected deal: London corporate firm Nellen advised Netkonect Communications, the business Internet service provider and licensed telecom operator, on its sale to Mistral Internet for an undisclosed sum. Winchester firm Dutton Gregory acted for Mistral.


Most luxurious deal: City firm Speechly Bircham advised Grupo Urvasco, the luxury Spanish hotel developer and operator, on the acquisition of 336-337 Strand, London - the former Citibank House - from Strand Property Holdings and an associated banking facility of £83 million. Grupo Urvasco intends to develop the site as a luxury hotel and development complex. London firm Peachey & Co advised Strand Property Holdings, while the London and Madrid offices of City giant Allen & Overy advised lender Banco Bilbao.


Tastiest deal: City firm Charles Russell advised Conival on its £11 million acquisition of Portfolio Products (PPL) and a reverse takeover by PPL's shareholders. PPL has agreements with a number of chefs - including Marco Pierre White, Jean Christophe Novelli and Nancy Lam - under which it has assembled a portfolio of rights to celebrity brands in relation to food, beverages and other nutritional products. London firm Fladgate Fielder advised Corvus Capital, PPL's principal shareholder.


Best dressed deal: Addleshaw Goddard advised Barclays Private Equity on the acquisition of a 72% stake in clothing business Phase Eight (Fashion & Designs) as part of a £28 million management buyout. National firm Pinsent Masons advised the management, which has taken the remaining 28%. City firms SJ Berwin and Macfarlanes advised the shareholders and finance provider Barclays Bank respectively.