18.10.2007


Tallest deal: National firm Hammonds advised the vendors and management on a £255 million buyout of Ainscough Crane Hire. UK/US firm DLA Piper acted for the Bank of Scotland's integrated finance division, which backed the deal.



Most comfortable deal: London firm Fladgate Fielder advised RREEF, part of Deutsche Bank's asset management division, on its acquisition of the Four Pillars hotel group for more than £100 million. Four Pillars owns hotels in Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire, including a new 220-bedroom hotel in the Cotswold Water Park. City firm Druces & Attlee advised the vendor.



Most towering deal: City firm SJ Berwin acted for British Land on its pre-letting agreement with Reed Smith Richards Butler that will see the US/UK firm take 39% of its 35-storey, 540ft tall Broadgate Tower development in the City. Reed Smith was advised by its own property department.



Most regenerative deal: City firm Trowers & Hamlins advised Whitefriars Housing Group, Coventry City Council and Coventry New Deal for Communities on a £360 million regeneration programme for the city. The scheme will see affordable and private housing developed in north-east Coventry, with the provision of 3,500 new homes over 12 years. Anglo-Scottish firm HBJ Gateley Wareing acted for the BKW consortium, which will deliver the programme.



Most interesting deal: London-based niche real estate firm Harold Benjamin advised North India Estates on the purchase of HSBC's leasehold interest at 196-198 Oxford Street, London, for £19 million. Birmingham and London firm Wragge & Co advised HSBC.



Most leisurely deal: South-east firm Thomas Eggar advised cruise holiday operator All Leisure Group on its flotation on AIM and an associated £20 million placing. City firm Travers Smith acted for the nominated adviser and broker, Blue Oar Securities.



Most liquid deal: City firm Lovells and US firm Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton advised brewer SAB Miller on the corporate aspects of a joint venture with Molson Coors that will merge their respective US and Puerto Rican operations into a business with revenues of more than $6.6 billion (£3.2 billion). US firm Jones Day also advised on anti-trust matters. US firm Kirkland & Ellis advised Molson Coors, with Cleary Gottlieb advising on anti-trust.