04.10.2007


Handiest deal: Bristol firm Veale Wasbrough advised the shareholders of Footprint Handbooks, the travel guide publisher, on its sale to Morris Publications for an undisclosed sum. City firm Allen & Overy acted for the purchaser, a subsidiary of US-based Morris Communications.



Hottest deal: Newcastle firm Dickinson Dees advised the Nationwide Building Society on a senior debt investment in the Dorset Emergency Services Partnership Initiative. The £65 million private finance initiative deal will establish a new joint divisional and fire area headquarters, an additional fire service area headquarters and two new fire stations. Leeds firm Walker Morris acted for the project company, while national firm Eversheds advised the fire and police authorities.



Most productive deal: London firm Pritchard Englefield advised on the reverse takeover and AIM flotation of Nostra Terra Oil and Gas. Nostra Terra plans to create an oil production company in the Crimean peninsula. London firm Ronaldsons advised Nostra Terra's subsidiary, Nostra Terra (Overseas).



Most tailored deal: Manchester firm Heatons advised the management team of Stella Travel Services UK on its acquisition of Travelbag, the tailor-made travel specialist, for a seven-figure sum. The London office of Pinsent Masons advised the seller, Ebookers.



Well-catered deal: National firm Addleshaw Goddard advised the management of Brake Brothers, the food production and processing group, on a £1.4 billion management buyout and secondary buyout. US firm Kirkland & Ellis advised backer Bain Capital.



Best managed deal: London firm Nabarro advised Crosby Capital Partners on the acquisition for an undisclosed sum of the UK-based investment management operations of Forsyth Partners and Forsyth Partners Europe, which are in administration. Under the deal, Crosby will be appointed manager of funds with assets of $1.2 billion (£588 million). The London office of Eversheds advised the administrators, Grant Thornton.



Most transparent deal: UK/US firm DLA Piper advised Towergate on the £276 million acquisition of Open International, the supplier of IT solutions to insurance brokers. City firm Linklaters acted for the seller, Montagu Private Equity.