A string of high-profile new instructions for City firm Herbert Smith.

It has acted for The Carlyle Group for the first time, on the 67 million acquisition of 107 Cheapside in London from AXA Sun Life.

Tenants include Allen & Overy, which advised finance provider Eurohypo on the deal.

SJ Berwin acted for AXA Sun Life.

Meanwhile, Herbert Smith has been instructed by Serco/Ned Railways on its bid to win the northern rail franchise, and by Halton Borough Council to advise on the development of the 200 million New Mersey Crossing.

York-based Langleys has been appointed by GNER to advise on new procedures to pursue passengers who travel without valid rail tickets.

Leeds firm Carricks has been retained by the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers, set up recently to represent small and medium-sized abattoirs, which deal with more than 50% of the UK's livestock.

Nottingham and Spalding firm Roythorne & Co has been named legal adviser to Abbey National Business's country finance division, which deals in rural mortgage products.

North-west property company MDA has selected Manchester firm Glaisyers as its legal adviser.

City firm Nabarro Nathanson has been appointed to advise the Metropolitan Police Authority on the retendering of services currently delivered through 11 major technology and business process outsourcing contracts.

London media firm Olswang has won its first corporate/media instruction from Winchester Entertainment, acting on its purchase of Cobalt Media Capital, whose vendors were advised by Macfarlanes.

Penwith District Council in Cornwall has chosen south-west firm Bevan Ashford as its legal partner for the next three years.

Bristol firm TLT has been appointed to Staffordshire Building Society's remortgage panel, managed by London & European Title Insurance Services.

City firm KLegal has acted for Inflexion Private Equity for the first time, advising on its 18 million management buy-out of the Ster Century cinema chain.

Allen & Overy acted for Ster and Eversheds for debt funder HSBC.

North-west firm DWF will continue to act for Liverpool John Moores University for three more years after winning a retender.