City firm LG advised Universities Superannuation Scheme – the pension scheme for academic staff in the UK, and the second largest fund in the country – on purchasing a 50% share in an investment property portfolio joint venture with Tesco. City firm Berwin Leighton Paisner advised Tesco.

Hedge fund deal: Channel Islands firm Ogier and City firm Travers Smith advised hedge fund administrator Fulcrum Group on its merger with Butterfield Fund Services, which provides administration services for investment and pension funds. The Butterfield Fulcrum Group will have approximately 400 employees and almost $100bn (£55bn) of assets under administration. Channel Islands firm Ozannes advised Butterfield.

TV deal: City firm Travers Smith advised senior management of digital-pay TV systems provider NDS on taking the company private. The move will see Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation reduce its current 75% shareholding and private equity firm Permira take a majority stake. Permira was advised by magic circle firm Clifford Chance, News Corporation by US firm Skadden, and NDS by magic circle firm Allen & Overy.

Fashion deal: City firm Memery Crystal advised fashion brand management group Marchpole on two deals: one to source, design, produce and distribute DKNY menswear alongside fashion designer Donna Karan; the other a £2.5m investment by fashion group Atlas Design. Illinois firm Katten Muchin Rosenman advised Donna Karan while City firm Speechly Bircham advised Atlas Design.

Share deal: City firm Herbert Smith, alongside Chinese firm Jia Yuan Law Firm, advised China International Capital Corporation and Macquarie Bank as joint bookrunners on a HK$4.16bn (£292m) share offering by China South Locomotive & Rolling Stock Corporation (CSR), the largest rolling stock maker in China. CSR was advised by City firm Baker & McKenzie and Chinese firm Grandall Legal Group.

Tyre deal: Magic circle firm Allen & Overy advised German ball-bearing manufacturer Schaeffler on its €12.1bn (£9.7bn) acquisition of German tyre manufacturer Continental, which is thought to be the biggest deal in Germany this year. Continental was advised by magic circle firm Freshfields.

Banking deal: US firm Shearman & Sterling advised insurer Allianz on the sale of its subsidiary, Dresdner Bank, to Frankfurt’s Commerzbank for €9.8bn (£7.95bn). The two-step transaction should be completed by the end of 2009. Commerzbank was advised by US firm Sullivan & Cromwell.