22.02.2007


Most effective deal: City firm Herbert Smith advised the Royal Bank of Scotland on funding a leveraged buyout of Mill Digital Media, the post-production company that created special effects for the film Gladiator and TV programme Doctor Who. US firm Latham & Watkins acted for private equity house The Carlyle Group, which bought the company for an undisclosed sum. London and regional firm Osborne Clarke acted for the vendor.



Most oleaginous deal: Southampton firm Paris Smith & Randall advised Energy Environmental on its £2.3 million acquisition of Vikoma International, which designs and manufactures oil-pollution control systems. Osborne Clarke advised the seller, Conder Environmental, while UK firm Shepherd and Wedderburn acted for funder Clydesdale Bank.



Most floral deal: London firm Wedlake Bell advised garden-centre chain Blooms of Bressingham on a recommended £30 million take-over by West Coast Capital Floris, led by entrepreneur Sir Tom Hunter. The Edinburgh office of UK firm McGrigors advised the purchaser.



Foxiest deal: Birmingham and London firm Wragge & Co advised Leicester City Football Club on the sale of a majority stake to former Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric for £9 million. South-east firm Thomas Eggar advised Mr Mandaric.



Fastest deal: City firm Field Fisher Waterhouse advised Donington Ventures Leisure on its acquisition of Donington Park Leisure, the company that owns and manages the Donington Park race track, home of the British Motorcycle Grand Prix. The firm also advised on obtaining a new 150-year lease for 600 acres of land in the area. National firm Hammonds advised vendor Live Nation, while midlands firm Browne Jacobson advised Wheatcroft & Son on the grant of the lease.



Most helpful deal: City firm Travers Smith advised TA Associates and the management of Drive Assist UK, which provides short-term replacement vehicles to non-fault parties in motor accidents, on a substantial investment by Charterhouse Capital Partners. UK firm Dickson Minto advised Charterhouse, while City firm Ashurst advised funder the Royal Bank of Scotland.



Best mined deal: Kent firm Furley Page advised independent mineral and aggregate producer Robert Brett & Sons on an outsourced services agreement with US firm Ikon, which was advised by its in-house legal team.



Most electric deal: City firm Kingsley Napley advised Ultra Motor Company on a £2.7 million fundraising and technical collaboration with Hero Cycles, which will lead to the sale of electric scooters in India.