Instructions of the Week - 04.07.2002

The first world-wide shipping transaction done under a private finance initiative (PFI) has brought a major new client for City firm Berwin Leighton Paisner.

AWSR Shipping has contracted with the Ministry of Defence for the supply of a world-wide strategic transport service, worth around 950 million over the next 24 years.

It is the largest PFI handled by Berwin Leighton Paisner

The project is based on six newly constructed 20,000-tonne roll-on, roll-off ships being constructed in Northern Ireland and Germany which will allow the rapid movement of thousands of vehicles around the globe when necessary.

AWSR Shipping - which was gained by Berwins through a referral - is a consortium made up of Bibby Line, James Fisher & Sons, Houlder Hadley Shipping, and Andrew Weir Shipping.

Shipping firm Watson Farley & Williams advised AWSR on tonnage tax and related financing issues.

Simmons & Simmons advised the ministry, while Norton Rose advised funder Lloyds TSB and Sovereign Finance.

International firm Salans Hertzfeld Heilbronn HRK has been appointed to act on behalf of nearly 1,000 of 4,400 employees of the food and appliance retailer The Big Food Group (formerly the Iceland Group) over the company's decision to end its final salary pension scheme for all employees, and not just new employees as many companies are now doing.

Head of employment Barry Mordsley said the claim is for breach of contract on two counts: a substantive change to terms and conditions of employment and a failure to consult.

Birmingham insurance litigation firm Amery-Parkes has been selected by Fleet Accident Management to provide legal advice to users of its accident management scheme.

The company recently launched an unique pay-on-use scheme for its fleet members.

The Manchester office of Beachcroft Wansbroughs has won a competitive tender to provide employment advice to the North West Development Agency.

The Sandwell Tenants and Residents Federation in the West Midlands has appointed Birmingham-based Challinors Lyon Clark to provide charity, commercial, conveyancing and employment advice to 34 local housing groups in the area.