Leading player shows `depth' plus quality of individuals

Sep 26 2003 By The Journal

Dickinson Dees remains a leading player in the market, with outstanding depth of expertise and quality of individuals.

Department head Gordon Sanderson is "commercial and pragmatic"; property finance expert John Ralph is 'technically excellent'; and Chris Harker and Deborah Kirtley are also hugely popular with clients.

Highlights included advising Bank of Scotland on its £110m loan to MWB Malmaison Holdings for new facilities in Birmingham and London and the £30m securitisation of Everton Football Club.

Eversheds LLP joins the top tier on the basis of the quality of its individuals and a remarkable track record in 2002.

Nick On has a reputation to match any banking lawyer in the region; he's "highly professional - amazingly switched on and very commercial".

Similar sentiments are expressed regarding associate Andy Nunn, while property finance specialist Gerry Mulholland also has a strong reputation.

In 2002, the firm hired rising star Adam Heather from Robert Muckle.

The firm advised Royal Bank of Scotland on its £145m facilities to Matrix Spinningfields, and Bank of Scotland on a £158m syndicated loan to Gold 4 LLP.

Robert Muckle now competes on an equal footing with Ward Hadaway, with clients praising the firm for its response time and commercial acumen; says one: "It speaks our language and offers good value."

Stephen McNicol leads the team and Judith Reid is recommended for property finance.

The firm acted for Bank of Scotland in £25m acquisition facilities for Oasis Healthcare and for management in the £13.5m MBO of Tor Coatings from European Colour.

The "multi-skilled" corporate partner Alan Fletcher excels in acquisition finance.

Ward Hadaway advised on £600m worth of transactions in 2002, highlighted by a £360m unsecured loan for a local plc, and advising Northern Rock on the MBO of the Longhirst Group.

Julie Harrison heads the department, which is on the panels for Barclays, Co-operative Bank and Yorkshire Bank.

Malcolm Lloyd has been building the firm's property finance profile after the departure of Richard Freeman-Wallace to Watson Burton.

With Richard Freeman-Wallace on board, Watson Burton rises to the second tier.

Senior partner Andrew Hoyle is the department's most eminent fee-earner.

Insolvency specialist Julian Gill is also recommended.

In 2002, the firm advised Dunbar Bank on residential developments and Lloyds TSB on acquisition finance.

Paul Taylor heads Hay & Kilner's banking team, which is on the panel of a number of financial institutions, advising on security arrangements and transactions.