The Legal 500

Within M&A: smaller deals, up to £50m, Boodle Hatfield LLP is a first tier firm,

Boodle Hatfield LLP has a ‘smooth, partner-driven approach’, with new recruit Ute Mueller singled out for particular praise; she joined in 2011 alongside Bernd Ratzke from Dawsons LLP. Highlights included advising the directors of Group NBT plc on HgCapital’s £153m recommended cash offer for the company.

Within Commercial litigation, tier 6

Boodle Hatfield LLP is a ‘West End firm that can beat the City firms at their own game’. It has acted for a large number of Russian clients, and stands out for its art-related litigation experience. Simon Fitzpatrick is a ‘star in the London litigation sky’.

Within Agriculture and estates, Boodle Hatfield LLP is a second tier firm,

Boodle Hatfield LLP is praised for its ‘refreshing, can-do attitude’, and noted for its ability to handle the HMRC proportionately. The firm acts for more than 60 landed estates, often in matters of high complexity with sophisticated offshore elements. Natasha Hassall and Sue Laing are known for their ability to establish a rapport with family members. Clients include Grosvenor Estates, Bedford Estate, Folkestone Estate and Northumberland Estate.

Within Art and cultural property, Boodle Hatfield LLP is a second tier firm,

Boodle Hatfield LLP has wide-ranging cultural and heritage property capability. Department head Sue Laing is a longstanding adviser of the Grosvenor family, and also represents wealthy entrepreneurs and private businessmen; she is ‘very good on heritage property and non-dom issues’. Well-respected litigator Simon Fitzpatrick acted on behalf of private collectors in a claim against Christie’s in respect of the misvaluation of a painting now believed to be a Titian. Fiona Graham is also well regarded on the heritage property side, particularly for heritage tax issues.

Within Charities and not-for-profit, tier 5

The ‘highly competent’ team at Boodle Hatfield LLP is led by the well-respected Eleanor Sepanski. In addition to its core expertise providing advice to grant makers, the firm also advises the philanthropy sector. Its client wins in 2011 included a social justice organisation and a hospital.

Within Contentious trusts and probate, Boodle Hatfield LLP is a second tier firm,

Boodle Hatfield LLP ‘handles big cases without being swamped’. The team includes litigation specialists Will Twidale and Sofie Hoffman (‘a creative thinker’); and Simon Rylatt and Richard Moyse, who have cross-border trust expertise. The firm is currently instructed by the life tenant of a large family trust, in a matter expected to lead to litigation involving estoppel and establishment of jurisdiction issues.

Within Family, tier 5

At Boodle Hatfield LLP, Barbara Simpson is a ‘consummate professional’, and James Ferguson is ‘particularly good at acting for divorcing husbands’. In addition to pursuing major High Court financial litigation, the firm also represented Don Gallagher in the dissolution of his civil partnership.

Within Overview,

Bircham Dyson Bell LLP, Boodle Hatfield LLP, Charles Russell LLP, Farrer & Co, Forsters LLP, Macfarlanes, and Withers LLP all have superb reputations across the gamut of private client work. Internationally oriented firms such as Baker & McKenzie LLP and Clifford Chance stand out for multi-jurisdictional contentious trusts work.

Within Personal tax, trusts and probate, Boodle Hatfield LLP is a second tier firm,

Boodle Hatfield LLP is ‘one of the top firms for non-contentious trusts and probate’. In 2011, Sue Laing provided offshore strategic advice to a Jersey family, in a £100m-plus matter involving complex CGT issues as well as Australian, Swiss, and US aspects. Richard Moyse provides ‘balanced and concise advice’; and Simon Rylatt is ‘expert at international aspects’.

Within Commercial property, Boodle Hatfield LLP is a third tier firm,

Boodle Hatfield LLP’s key client Grosvenor has one of the largest private investment portfolios, with over £2.8bn of property assets under management. Recent work for the team includes a substantial acquisitions programme for the Mayfair and Belgravia portfolio. Helen Streeton is ‘quite understated but on the ball’; Simon Williams pairs ‘incisive advice with a pragmatic approach’; David Johnson is ‘charming but also immediately sees the issues’; and practice head Caroline King is also recommended.

Within Construction, tier 4

Boodle Hatfield LLP advises in relation to London retail and leisure properties, handling non-contentious development work and disputes, and provides investors, hoteliers and commercial developers with a level of service that is ‘excellent in all respects’. It recently acted for Grosvenor on the development of a hotel in Mayfair. Practice head David Johnson imparts ‘clear, appropriate and easily understandable’ advice.

Within Property finance, tier 5

Boodle Hatfield LLP’s ‘service is prompt and efficient’. The team predominantly acts for borrowers and investors, and regularly assists on financings and refinancings, typically on loans up to £50m. James Dakin joined from Nabarro LLP.

Within Property litigation, tier 4

Boodle Hatfield LLP is ‘at the top level’ for complex enfranchisement cases and lease renewals. Practice head Colin Young takes a ‘commercial approach’, and Andrew Hindle is ‘level headed’. The group acted for Eaton Square Properties in possession proceedings against a tenant, and defended it in a subsequent £16.8m counterclaim.