Most secure deal: City firm Travers Smith is advising private equity house Candover and others on their £348 million bid for DX Services - operator of the mail service for law firms - and the separate but linked acquisition of Secure Mail Services (SMS) for an undisclosed sum. City firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer acted for DX Services, while national firm Pinsent Masons advised the sellers of SMS. The London office of US firm Latham & Watkins acted for debt provider Bank of Scotland.

Most special deal: North-west firm SAS Daniels has advised on its biggest-ever deal, acting for Gladman Commercial Properties on the £54 million sale of 13 business parks across the midlands and north of England as well as Wales. London firm Howard Kennedy advised the buyer, Northern Way Business Quarter Properties.





Most mobile deal: City firm Pritchard Englefield advised transport and haulage business Online Roadways on its acquisition of Dover-based Mike Beer Transport for an undisclosed sum. Kent firm Alston Ashby advised the vendors.



Most random deal: London firm Fladgate Fielder advised The Random House Group on the acquisition of the majority shareholding in BBC Books from BBC Worldwide for an undisclosed sum. BBC Books' recent bestsellers include Sir David Attenborough's Life in the Undergrowth and Delia Smith's How to Cook series. London firm Olswang advised BBC Worldwide.



Most decorative deal: National firm Beachcroft advised Topps Tiles on the return of £122 million to its shareholders. National firm Addleshaw Goddard acted for KBC Peel Hunt, Topps Tiles' sponsor and broker.



Healthiest deal: Howard Kennedy advised Next Generation Clubs, the racquet, health and fitness group, on its sale to London & Regional for £108 million. City firm Herbert Smith advised the buyer.



Most communicative deal: National firm Addleshaw Goddard advised Kingston Communications on a £500 million private finance initiative (PFI), which will see the Hull-based company provide information and communication technology services to University Hospital Birmingham. The deal is the largest PFI scheme outside London, and the first of its kind in the hospital market. Scottish firm Tods Murray acted for the hospital.



Model deal: The London office of US firm Crowell & Moring advised Sherwood Group on its negotiation of an exclusive, three-year supply agreement with celebrity Caprice for her 'By Caprice' lingerie range. The brand will also see the launch of new swimwear and nightwear ranges. Caprice negotiated the deal herself.