Underground deal: Magic circle firm Allen & Overy advised accountants Ernst & Young on transferring the undertakings of Metronet, the London Underground maintenance company that went into administration in July last year, to Transport for London (TfL). Ernst & Young was acting as Metronet’s administrator, and secured the release of £1.7bn owed to banks and bondholders. City firm Herbert Smith advised London Underground and TfL.


Da Vinci deal: The London office of US law firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, and Guernsey firm Ogier, advised hedge fund Da Vinci Capital Management on the admission of its $110m (£55m) Da Vinci CIS Private Sector Growth Fund hedge fund to the London Stock Exchange’s new Specialist Fund Market – making it the first to join. National firm Pinsent Masons advised investment banking group Shore Capital, which acted as placing agents alongside URALSIB, advised by New York firm Furnari Levine.



Clear deal: City firm Speechly Bircham advised equity research firm Clear Capital on its sale for an undisclosed sum to investment bank Noble & Company, advised by City firm Travers Smith.



Mining deal: City firm Trowers & Hamlins advised mining house Cambrian Mining on its £56.2m takeover of mining and investment company Coal International, advised by City firm Berwin Leighton Paisner. The acquisition is expected to be finalised in July, subject to shareholder approval.



Harbour deal: The Dubai office of City firm Herbert Smith advised Villamar Sukuk Company Limited on a $190m (£95m) Sukuk part-financing of luxury residential development Villamar @ the Harbour in Manama, Bahrain. Bahraini firm Hatim Zu’bi & Partners advised on Bahraini law, and the Dubai office of Cayman Islands firm Walkers advised on Cayman Islands law. Deutsche Bank, advised by Herbert Smith’s London office, and Khaleeji Commercial Bank, advised by City firm Trowers & Hamlins, were also involved with the offering.



ExCeLlent deal: City firm Trowers & Hamlins advised Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company on the £318m takeover of the ExCeL exhibition centre in London. London International Exhibition Centre Holdings, previous owners of ExCeL, were advised by magic circle firm Clifford Chance.