LAW firm Ward Hadaway has won a contract to advise a leading North marketing plc.

The Newcastle-based firm won in a competitive bidding process to secure a place on the legal advice panel of Leeds-based Communisis.

Ward Hadaway will now provide legal advice to Communisis on a range of commercial issues, including intellectual property, information technology and data protection.

The appointment was made following an extensive tender and interview process carried out by Communisis.

Martin Hulls, senior partner in Ward Hadaway’s Leeds office, said: “We are delighted that Communisis has selected Ward Hadaway to be on its legal panel.

“Communisis is a highly successful company with a raft of blue-chip clients and an impressive track record in its sector so it is a real seal of approval to be selected to advise the business.

“As a firm, we aim to offer something different to companies and organisations across Yorkshire in terms of partner-led expert advice that adds genuine value to their business and this is something we stressed in our pitch to Communisis.

“We look forward to working with Communisis and to delivering expert advice and helping them achieve their business goals.”

Communisis delivers a range of marketing services to private and public sector clients in a wide range of sectors including financial services, retail, consumer goods, travel and leisure, utilities and communications.

As well as its headquarters in Leeds, Communisis also has operations in 11 other UK towns and cities, including Newcastle, Liverpool, Manchester, Nottingham and London.

Sarah Morton, company secretary of Communisis, said: “We were impressed by the proposals submitted by Ward Hadaway and look forward to working with the team in the coming months.”

Ward Hadaway, which also has offices in Manchester, has seen a substantial increase in business at its Leeds office. In the year to the end of April 2011, the firm saw turnover from its Leeds office rise by 28% to over £4m.