Analysis

In what has been a better year than last (though that’s not saying much) for deals, Addleshaw Goddard built on its 2009 work on the Co-op/Somerfield acquisition with the disposal of 200 of the merged operation’s stores and, outside the region, three substantial acquisitions for Capita.

DLA Piper’s Jonathan Watkins, meanwhile, led on Dave Whelan Sports’ £85m acquisition of the leisure division of JJB Sports, and Keith Froud at Eversheds advised the extremely active Daisy Communications on a £200 million reverse into Freedom 4 Group.

In Liverpool, meanwhile, Brabners Chaffe Street was appointed sole legal advisor to Peel Ports.

All in all, though, a fair bit of movement up and down tiers compared to 2009 – with “other North West” in particular seeing what was a healthy “tier one” stripped down to just three firms – only one of which is headquartered outside the two big cities rather than being a satellite office.

It’s been an exciting year for the EU, economically. “Exciting” as in terrifying – but growth appears to have set in lately and, with it, trade and investment opportunities. Planning to take advantage of them? Or to get involved in a merger that might change the competitive landscape significantly? Then you’ll be needing advice – and here are the firms the Legal 500 identifies as the region’s strongest in the field.

The course of business doesn’t always run smooth. And, when it doesn’t, there can be few more satisfying thoughts than dragging your opponent through the courts and being granted punitive damages. In this day and age, however, the talk is all of “dispute resolution” – which, though perhaps less satisfying than having your day in court, is likely to cost everyone a lot less in the long run. Either way, and whatever side of a lawsuit you find yourself on, the firms below are the Legal 500’s top players. Just hope you don’t receive an unexpected letter on their headed notepaper.

The insolvency practitioners were rubbing their hands as the recession began but, as yet, the boom for which they have been waiting has yet to materialise. The word is that this will change as the recovery sets in and banks, the Inland Revenue and corporate creditors feel more confident about cutting their losses and acting against debtor companies. Below are the region’s firms that the Legal 500 identifies as being strongest in this area.