Ward Hadaway shows the way for big deals

May 21 2008 by Peter McCusker, The Journal

ONE of the North’s top corporate lawyers has put together the definitive dealmakers’ guide for UK law firms.

Robert Thompson, partner in the corporate finance department at Ward Hadaway, has edited a new edition of Sinclair on Warranties and Indemnities on Share and Asset Sales.

The book is widely viewed as the lawyers’ dealmaking bible and is consulted by firms across the country when advising clients on buying and selling businesses.

The latest edition of the guide – the seventh – is the second to be edited by Mr Thompson, who has advised on some of the North’s biggest deals in recent years.

It also features expert contributions from other Ward Hadaway lawyers on areas including tax, pensions, property, employment, IT and data protection and insolvency.

Robert Thompson said: “This is the main text that lawyers practising in corporate finance will use when they’re working on a deal – it’s the standard industry textbook.

“It’s widely used by law firms in the UK and the Commonwealth, so it’s a real privilege to be asked to edit the guide again.

“A lot of hard work has gone into compiling the guide from my colleagues at Ward Hadaway and it’s a valuable endorsement of our quality and expertise that we have been chosen to put this together.”

John Pacione of Sinclair publishers Sweet & Maxwell said: “We are delighted with the work Robert and his colleagues have done in extensively revising and updating the material to ensure that Sinclair will continue to fully meet the needs of its readers.”

Ward Hadaway’s corporate team enjoyed a record year in 2007, with more than 100 deals worth £843m.

Highlights included the £115m share placing and acquisition of Snorkel by Tanfield Group and the sale of the Peter Barratt’s garden chain to Wyevale.

Mr Thompson advised on both deals, alongside more than 15 other deals involving owner-managed businesses during the year.

The book is available at www.sweetandmaxwell.thomson.com