Liverpool's Hill Dickinson has become the first official sponsor of the city's European Capital of Culture celebrations in 2008, in a deal that will see it provide legal advice to the company organising the events.

The firm will advise the Liverpool Culture Company (LCC) - a separate entity set up by Liverpool City Council to manage the bid - on commercial contracts, licensing, broadcast and intellectual property issues. Hill Dickinson's business development team will also advise LCC on marketing issues and attracting further sponsors.


Liverpool beat five other cities - Bristol, Birmingham, Cardiff, Newcastle-Gateshead and Oxford - to win the bid last June. It will host a year-long festival of arts and culture throughout 2008.


Hill Dickinson senior partner Tony Wilson said: 'The deal has been paid for by legal work and value-in-kind work, plus a cash contribution. Only 12 companies will have the level of sponsorship we are agreeing to, with tickets for each event and client entertainment opportunities.


'We approached the LCC as soon as Liverpool won the bid because we are keen to take our part in the renaissance of the city. We understand that the LCC also had talks with a number of other law firms, but we will be the sole legal advisers.'