Instructions of the week - 27.02.2003

A double win for Halliwell Landau kicks off this week's instructions.

The Manchester-based firm has been appointed to supply claims support on UK surety work for Travelers, the largest surety and fidelity underwriter in the US.

It will initially be instructed by a Travelers' subsidiary, Gulf Insurance Company.

In the public sector, Lancashire Fire and Rescue has named Halliwells as its external solicitors.

Birmingham firm Wragge & Co has completed its first deal for leading media company Pearson after a competitive pitch.

It advised on the 2.3 million lease of a new distribution centre in Rugby for two of its publishing businesses from Prologis Developments, advised by Hammonds.

City firm Holman Fenwick & Willan has been selected by Global Aviation Insurance Network (GAIN) as its members' aviation legal, risk management and claims service provider.

GAIN was recently launched to provide a global network through which independent aviation insurance brokers and companies come together in a consolidated account of general aviation business to improve buying power.

City firm Field Fisher Waterhouse has won a tender to advise the Nursing & Midwifery Council on its new 'fitness to practise' procedures.

It will assist the council with developing its disciplinary policy and drafting new rules in relation to misconduct, lack of competence and ill- health of nurses, midwives and health visitors.

City firms Eversheds and CMS Cameron McKenna have been named as development company Taylor Woodrow's property panel.

The Merseyside Social Enterprise Initiative has appointed north-west firm Mace & Jones to set up a legal support unit offering advice to the growing number of social enterprises in the area.

Bristol firm Veale Wasbrough has won through to advise the Ministry of Defence on the redevelopment of the Defence Communication Services Agency's head- quarters in Corsham, Wiltshire.

City firm Mayer Brown Rowe & Maw will advise on the formation of the Biosciences Federation, an umbrella organisation set up to support biologists in the UK.

Bus operator Stagecoach North West has chosen Carlisle firm Burnetts to provide employment law advice covering Cumbria and Lancashire.

The European Commission has selected Baker & McKenzie to advise on the legal aspects of member states' future registry systems.

These systems are needed to record the exchange of greenhouse gas allowances under a trading scheme agreed by the Council of Ministers in December 2002.