The Legal 500

Within M&A: smaller deals, up to £50m, Forsters LLP is a second tier firm,

In an illustration of Forsters LLP’s strength in real estate, Craigie Pearson advised a Hong Kong investment consortium on its £30m investment in a holding company engaged in urban regeneration in the UK housing market. The hire of Craig Thompson from Howard Kennedy adds strength on the media side. Clients including British Airways Pension Fund and Soho House.

Within Commercial litigation Commercial litigation

Within Employment: employers and senior executives, Forsters LLP is a third tier firm,

Jane Wheeler at Forsters LLP acts for a broad range of mid-sized companies but is best known for advice to senior executives, where she ‘gets good results for her clients’ through her ‘no-nonsense approach’.

Within Agriculture and estates, Forsters LLP is a second tier firm,

The ‘wise’ team at Forsters LLP handled a range of work in 2011, including a large mansion purchase, intricate tax planning for a farming business, and significant agricultural restructurings. Penny Elliott is ‘not afraid to give strong advice’; and Craigie Pearson is ‘quick to grasp issues’. Rupert Mead, noted for his ‘calm approach’, has been promoted to partner, as has Peter Golden.

Within Art and cultural property, Forsters LLP is a third tier firm,

Forsters LLP handles a range of art and culture property matters cross-departmentally, from sale, purchase and loan agreements to litigation and the formation of charitable funds. Rupert Mead and Craigie Pearson are recommended.

Within Charities and not-for-profit, tier 5

Forsters LLP’s ‘outstanding’ team is led by Charles Pike, who is providing advice on all aspects of the Chance to Shine appeal, from constitutional to fundraising matters. The firm is also advising the Institute of Food Research on a range of issues. Craigie Pearson is also highly regarded.

Within Contentious trusts and probate, tier 4

Forsters LLP is ‘focused and diligent’. A team led by Caroline Bassett is advising Sheikh Abdullah Ali Alhamrani in declaratory proceedings in the BVI, with related simultaneous unfair prejudice proceedings. Emily Exton is ‘unwavering in the face of adversity’.

Within Court of Protection, Forsters LLP is a third tier firm,

Emily Exton and Fiona Smith are the key contacts at Forsters LLP for deputyship work and tax matters for the elderly.

Within Family, tier 4

‘Forward-thinking West End firm’ Forsters LLP draws on the abilities of ‘tactician’ Ann Northover, who is ‘outstanding’, and Shona Alexander, who has an ‘excellent strategic outlook’. The team has particular expertise in cases involving family trusts and pensions elements, and is also noted for its fee-conscious approach.

Within Overview,

Art law sees firms involved across a variety of contentious and non-contentious disciplines, ranging from IP and construction, to contractual agreements between funds and galleries, to fraud and criminal matters. Lawyers plough niche terrain: Farrer & Co and Forsters LLP’s specialise in Old Masters artworks, while Withers LLP’s focus is on living artists. Mishcon de Reya is also a pioneer in the art law field.

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

Offshore expert Peter Golden and Rupert Mead, who is noted for acting for UK landowners, were both promoted to partner at Forsters LLP in 2011. The team can draw on the firm’s wider capacity in property, finance, family, planning, and employment to service an increasingly international client base.

Within Commercial property, Forsters LLP is a third tier firm,

Forsters LLP ‘runs its department in a far more client service oriented way than most’. It has a strong institutional investor client base that includes BA Pension Fund and the Crown Estate. It also advised Realis Estates on the £350m East West Centre development in Stoke-on-Trent, and continues to act for Rocco Forte Hotels and Soho House Group. Group head Howard Gill has ‘very detailed knowledge’, Smita Edwards is ‘an exceptional lawyer’, Eugene McMahon has an ‘excellent ability to grasp deals’, and Victoria Towers is ‘hardworking and committed’.

Within Construction, tier 5

Forsters LLP provides ‘pragmatic’ non-contentious advice to clients of the firm’s wider real estate practice, and is particularly active on commercial refurbishment matters. The ‘first-class’ Sarah Cook is highlighted for her ‘creative problem-solving skills’, and advises McDonald’s, among other clients.

Within Planning, tier 4

Forsters LLP’s small planning team adopts ‘a collaborative approach’, and is ‘keen to build lasting relationships’. Much of its work involves advising private companies and individuals, with recent highlights including obtaining planning permission for the chef Mark Hix’s new restaurant in Soho.

Within Property finance, tier 4

Forsters LLP is highlighted for its ‘very high level of service, vast industry knowledge, and commercial thinking’. Clients include RBS, Royal Bank of Canada, and SG Hambros Bank. Victoria Edwards has ‘very good understanding of client needs’.

Within Property litigation, Forsters LLP is a third tier firm,

A thriving commercial property department underpins Forsters LLP’s ‘sharp’ and ‘tight-knit’ group, which represents landlords, estates, and tenants including Fujitsu. The ‘calm’ and ‘efficient’ Natasha Rees specialises in residential property, and has helped the group become ‘a leading firm’ in the field of leasehold enfranchisement. Jonathan Ross is ‘articulate’ and ‘commercially aware’.