The Legal 500

Within Corporate tax, tier 5

Traditionally a contentious tax player, DLA Piper UK LLP has strengthened its transactional tax team and now boasts significant expertise in real estate, M&A and funds work. Clients include Alliance and Leicester, Bank of Scotland, Beckman Coulter, Dresdner Kleinwort and Englefield Capital. Simon Gough and Tracy Fisher are key players.

Within Customs & Excise, DLA Piper LLP is a first tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP also rises to the top tier with the arrival of two new hires from HMRC, Neil Fairclough and Robert Purdue. Strong across the board in contentious tax matters, Neil Gerrard is singled out for his cross-border expertise, and is currently acting for a professional advisory firm in relation to an investigation by HMRC involving an allegation of serious tax fraud involving £100m.

Within EU and competition , tier 4

DLA Piper UK LLP has achieved great things in competition litigation and cartels. Trade is also a key arena, with trade specialist Miriam Gonzalez making considerable headway, along with department head Mike Pullen, who is notable for his outstanding international connections. In 2008, the team advised Cathay Pacific during the worldwide air cargo investigation, and represented the FA Premier League before the High Court, before reference to the ECJ concerning the use of foreign satellite decoder equipment in UK pubs. Senior figure and experienced litigator Martin Rees and Alexandra Campling (‘practical’, ‘pragmatic’) are also recommended. Leading market inquiries and competition litigation specialist Andrij Jurkiw joined from Burges Salmon LLP in 2008.

Within EU and competition , tier 4

Bristol-based Burges Salmon LLP has a fine record in market inquiries and cartel investigations, and is noted for its ‘practical business approach’. Laura Claydon(‘extremely knowledgeable’, ‘always considers the business angle’) heads the department, although the departure of Andrij Jurkiw is a blow.

Within Financial services, DLA Piper LLP is a third tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP has advised on the regulatory implications of the collapse of Lehman Brothers and various Icelandic banks. The team also acted for several listed companies following FSA Market Monitoring enquiries. Ex-BBA executive director Michael McKee is recommended for non-contentious work, and Darren Allen for enforcement proceedings. John Ahern left for Addleshaw Goddard LLP.

Within Flotations - small and mid-cap, DLA Piper LLP is a second tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP reports an increasing number of main market deals and Chinese listings. Led by Alex Tamlyn, the team advised Celtel Zambia on its US$1bn IPO on the Lusaka Stock Exchange, and received its first instruction from Goldman Sachs, as underwriters on the US$200m IPO of Rackspace.

Within M&A - upper mid-market and premium deals, £250m+, tier 7

DLA Piper UK LLP’s ‘experienced and enthusiastic’ M&A team regularly completes more UK deals than any other firm, racking up an impressive 118 last year at an average of over £50m. One of the largest was advising Tradus on its £1bn acquisition by South Africa’s Nasper, led by Charles Severs. David Raff is ‘outstanding’; Kiran Sharma is ‘charming’; and Mel Sims ‘combines skilful negotiation with a rare ability to simplify complex concepts’.

Within Outsourcing and procurement, DLA Piper LLP is a first tier firm,

Led by ‘superb’ practice head Richard Bonnar, DLA Piper UK LLP has both an ‘efficient and client-led’ public sector practice, and strong ties to financial institutions for which it undertakes large-scale outsourcing mandates. The group’s wide geographical presence and ability to draw relevant expertise from outside London has been an advantage to its presence in both the public and private sectors. Recent highlights include several mandates for central government, the NHS in particular, as well as advising on a series of major public procurements for the Personal Accounts Delivery Authority to support the Personal Accounts Scheme. Kit Burden and Mark Crichard are recommended for their ITO expertise, while Mark O’Conor is recognised for his public procurement work and ‘first-rate legal acumen’.

Within Overview,

New to the chapter this year is the Outsourcing and procurement section, which spans both private and public sector work and covers business services outsourcing in addition to more traditional IT and telecoms work. Baker & McKenzie LLP, Bird & Bird LLP, DLA Piper UK LLP, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP and Pinsent Masons LLP have set the bar as the firms to beat.

Within Private equity , tier 4

DLA Piper UK LLP’s ‘perpetually helpful’ 11-partner team, including Andrew Harris, Will Rosen and Andrew Holt, combines seamlessly with the firm’s regional and international networks, positioning it for both domestic and cross-border deals in the upper mid market. 2008 highlights include advising Englefield Capital and Cognetas on the £135m joint acquisition of Morrison Utility Services.

Within VAT and indirect tax, tier 4

DLA Piper UK LLP has a strong contentious practice, and is also recommended for real estate and international matters. It is acting for the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority in agreeing the VAT treatment of their services. Richard Woolich is highly thought of.

Within Fraud - commercial and regulatory investigations, DLA Piper LLP is a third tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP is ‘outstanding across the board’, with real strength in regulatory issues, particularly having recruited former SFO director Robert Wardle as a consultant in 2008. Neil Gerrard is ‘ unusually smart’ with ‘unique insight and experience’; Jonathan Pickworth has a ‘broad and deep understanding of world-wide fraud and corruption laws’; and Mike Pullen is a ‘very clever’ former regulator. Recent work includes acting for a pharmaceutical company following a raid by the European Commission, and a large freight forwarder facing cartel investigations. Sarah Cleary has joined from Irwin Mitchell LLP.

Within Fraud - crime , DLA Piper LLP is a second tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP successfully defended two directors of Goldshields following the SFO’s investigation into price-fixing in the pharmaceutical industry. It recruited Robert Wardle, a former director of the SFO, as a consultant in 2008, in addition to audit specialist Duncan Wiggetts, from PwC. Neil Gerrard is ‘a real dynamic presence’.

Within Licensing, gaming and betting, DLA Piper LLP is a third tier firm,

Work for DLA Piper UK LLP included advising the British Horseracing Association in relation to the 48th Levy Scheme in 2008, and assisted remote gambling operator Total Compliance with gambling licence applications. It also gained AOL as a new client, and was joined by Tom Russell from Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP. Duncan Calow heads the practice.

Within Banking litigation, tier 5

DLA Piper UK LLP has an experienced team and an impressive track record, and recently represented a number of clients in relation to the collapse of the banking market in Iceland. Department head Janet Legrand (a ‘class act’, ‘experienced’, ‘knows when to turn the screws’) leads a team that includes senior figure Ioannis Alexopoulos and ‘outstanding litigator’ Hugh Evans in Leeds. Daren Allen heads the financial services side, and the firm is also notable for its strong corporate crime team.

Within Commercial litigation, tier 5

DLA Piper UK LLP’s active team is very well regarded in the market, and includes a selection of first-class partners, including Neil Gerard, David Gray, Janet Legrand and Ioannis Alexopoulos. Highlights include representing EDS in defending £700m-worth of claims for breach of contract, negligence and deceit. Other major clients include Barclays Bank, Cable & Wireless, the Republic of Zambia, and UBS. Julian Stait has moved to Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP.

Within Defamation and privacy, tier 4

DLA Piper UK LLP has an active practice under Duncan Calow, acting for Random House, Virgin Books and Macmillan.

Within International arbitration, tier 5

DLA Piper UK LLP offers ‘strong teams with real depth in their international arbitration experience, and excellent coverage, not just in London’. Matthew Saunders heads the active team, which is representing the Government of Georgia in a US$350m ICSID claim arising from a trans-Caucasus pipeline project. Clients include Cable & Wireless, Gazprom and KBC Bank.

Within Public international law, DLA Piper LLP is a third tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP’s practice has continued to benefit from the firm’s growth globally, which has led to instructions from Central Europe and the CIS countries among others. It is currently representing the government of Georgia in various matters including a US$350m ICSID arbitration claim under the Greece/Georgia bilateral investment treaty and Energy Charter Treaty, arising from a trans-Caucasus pipeline project. Matthew Saunders heads the practice.

Within Tax litigation, DLA Piper LLP is a second tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP has also identified contentious tax work as a growth area and continues to expand its team with two new hires from HMRC. It acted for the claimant in Halcyon Films LLP v Revenue & Customs Commissioners as well as advising RCI Europe on potential double taxation issues, now the subject of a referral to the ECJ. Simon Airey is well respected by clients and peers alike, although Hartley Foster – also highly regarded – has recently moved to Olswang.

Within Acquisition finance, DLA Piper LLP is a third tier firm,

Rated ‘the best in the mid-market’ by some, DLA Piper UK LLP is a favourite among domestic lenders and also has a good record with borrowers. In 2008 it advised on 32 transactions worth some £4bn; advising the lenders on Close Brothers’ acquisition of The Energy Cranes Group was a notable highlight. The team - under the ‘persuasive, tenacious and commercial’ Philip Butler - includes quality partners in John Cutler, David Miles and Peter Crichton.

Within Asset finance and leasing, DLA Piper LLP is a third tier firm,

Headed by Graham Tyler, DLA Piper UK LLP has made significant inroads into the rail sector with new instructions from HSBC Rail and the hire of partner Siddarth Sharma from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP. The team recently advised key client Etihad Airways on the acquisition of 100 aircraft from Boeing and Airbus. It has ‘international strength in depth’ in the shipping sector, and prominent shipping figure James Cameron recently acted for Bank of America on the structured financing of five Panamanian-registered vessels. Clients also recommend Stephen Marais.

Within Bank lending - investment grade debt and syndicated loans , tier 4

Charles Morrison heads a five-partner team at DLA Piper UK LLP with a particularly strong pedigree acting on structured trade and commodity finance transactions. The firm is on the panels of a plethora of international banks, including Standard Bank, Standard Chartered Bank and Nedbank, and is recommended for work flowing out of Africa. Recent highlights include advising Standard Chartered Bank on a US$282m syndicated borrowing facility.

Within Corporate restructuring and insolvency, tier 4

A powerhouse in the mid-market, DLA Piper UK LLP’s position on all the main bank panels ensures that its 12-partner London group receives a steady flow of restructuring and formal insolvency work. Benefiting from broad national and international resources, the firm has the critical mass to handle a huge volume of mandates. Recent highlights include advising Norwich Union (as largest senior lender) and BDO Stoy Hayward as administrators in the £1bn restructuring of Dawnay Day. Michael Fiddy heads a team that includes recommended partners Sarah Coucher, Stephen Halladay and Paul Fleming. Clients include Barclays, Clydesdale, HSBC and RBS.

Within Investment funds, tier 6

Also recommended are: Baker & McKenzie LLP; Bingham McCutchen (London) LLP; Burges Salmon LLP Bristol; CMS Cameron McKenna LLP; DLA Piper UK LLP; Denton Wilde Sapte LLP; Dundas & Wilson LLP; Katten Muchin Rosenman Cornish LLP; Latham & Watkins; Maclay Murray & Spens LLP; Mishcon de Reya; O’Melveny & Myers LLP; Olswang; Osborne Clarke; Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker (Europe) LLP; Reed Smith; Speechly Bircham LLP; Taylor Wessing LLP; Weil, Gotshal & Manges and Withers LLP.

Within Trade finance, tier 4

DLA Piper UK LLP has built a creditable position in trade finance, particularly in African jurisdictions. Clients include Morgan Stanley, Nedbank Capital, Standard Bank and Standard Chartered Bank. Charles Morrison is recommended.

Within Employment, tier 4

DLA Piper UK LLP’s team has a ‘deep bench of expertise and experience’. Tim Marshall heads the practice, which acted for Verisign Inc on a global restructuring, and handled a high-profile age discrimination case for Kellogg Brown & Root (UK) Ltd. Vinita Arora is singled out as ‘commercially astute’; her advice has ‘superb clarity and is quick and to the point’. New clients for 2008 included Hampton Estates International, Clarin, and Hard Rock Café.

Within Health and safety, DLA Piper LLP is a second tier firm,

The ‘formidable and fantastic’ Teresa Hitchcock heads the team at DLA Piper UK LLP. The practice received instructions on various strategic, company-wide policy reviews from major clients in addition to advising on HSE investigations and corporate manslaughter cases. Key clients include pharmaceutical, petrochemical and construction companies. Roy Tozer is also recommended.

Within Pensions (incl pensions dispute resolution), tier 4

DLA Piper UK LLP’s London head of pensions and benefits Michael Cowley can ‘explain technical matters very clearly’, a quality shared by partner Matthew Swynnerton who also chairs the firm’s independant trustee company, and ‘commercially minded’ associate Tamara Calvert.

Within Insurance - corporate and regulatory, tier 5

At DLA Piper UK LLP, private equity specialist Mel Sims is well regarded for his experience in the insurance sector. The team acted for IAG on the sale of its Hastings and Advantage businesses to a management buyout vehicle.

Within Insurance and reinsurance litigation, tier 5

DLA Piper UK LLP was instructed last year by Munich Re and Swiss Re to represent the international reinsurance market, comprising 38 of the best-known global reinsurers, in relation to the BHP Billiton mining-related losses. The ‘smart and experienced’ Charles Gordon and ‘excellent litigator’ David Murphy are recommended. Key clients include Hannover Re and SCOR.

Within Professional negligence,

Taylor Wessing LLP was boosted by the appointment of three new partners in 2008: Laurence Lieberman from DLA Piper UK LLP, Len Murray from Baker & McKenzie LLP, and Anthony Menzies from Clyde & Co LLP. Active clients include Alliance & Leicester, Bath & North East Somerset Council, and GE Commercial Finance. Richard Marsh is singled out for praise.

Within Infrastructure, tier 4

DLA Piper UK LLP is ‘top shelf in terms of responsiveness’ and ‘flexible and solution focused’, providing ‘commercial advice based on market knowledge’. Recent highlights include advising the ODA on the implementation of transport schemes, including rail and Olympic Route Network related schemes. Colin Wilson demonstrates a ‘keen focus on clients needs’; Kathy Sharp is ‘extremely diligent’; and Mark Swindell impresses with his ‘commitment and understanding’.

Within Oil and gas, tier 5

Oando, Nigeria’s largest energy group, is an active client of DLA Piper UK LLP; the firm advised it on the purchase of interests in two offshore oil producing licences in Nigeria as well as advising on the financing of the deal. Charles Morrison is recommended.

Within Power (including electricity, nuclear and renewables) , tier 4

At DLA Piper UK LLP, Neil Upton is praised for his ‘commerciality and effectiveness’, and his team is commended as ‘focused on finding a solution’ as well as spending time ‘transferring skills to clients’. African power projects have been a major source of work recently, and the firm advised Eskom as the principal offtaker on both the Papabula and Mmamabula power projects.

Within Private finance initiative(PFI) , DLA Piper LLP is a second tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP is ‘top shelf - both in terms of responsiveness and knowledge’. The firm continues to advise the AirKnight Consortium on the multibillion-pound Search and Rescue Helicopter Programme. Colin Wilson has ‘extensive experience and anticipates client requirements’; Kathy Sharp is ‘extraordinarily diligent’; and Mark Swindell ‘impresses with his commitment’.

Within Administrative and public law, tier 5

DLA Piper UK LLP’s practice is led by Paul Stone, with Hazel Moffat also prominent. Clients praise their ‘level of strategic advice’ and ‘excellent service’. The practice acted for Wigan FC in its appeal against policing charges, and advised the Scottish Funding Council on governance and constitutional matters.

Within Local government, tier 4

DLA Piper UK LLP offers ‘first-class service’ and the ‘right skill sets for specific projects’, especially in urban regeneration and procurement. The practice represents the London Development Agency and new clients Coventry City Council and Kings Lynn Borough Council. Practice head Howard Bassford ‘leads with assurance and commitment’, while Marnix Elsenaar also standsout.

Within Public affairs, DLA Piper LLP is a first tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP’s public affairs team is ‘unique - by integrating communications and public policy experts with legal specialists across the firm, it has developed a strong model designed to deliver first-class advice’. Headed by ‘brilliant strategist’ Lord Tim Clement-Jones and the ‘highly experienced and skilled public affairs adviser’ Suzy Awford, the practice recently worked with TransMedics on consultations with government ministers. Clients also praise its national reach and ‘the added attraction of a combined offering with lobbying practices in Washington DC and Brussels’.

Within Commercial property, DLA Piper LLP is a third tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP’s commercial property lawyers are ‘all highly professional in their approach and provide excellent customer care’. Led by the well-respected Richard Crossfield, and featuring the exemplary David Taylor, the team has been making the most of its enviable international network, winning new mandates from significant Middle East sovereign wealth funds. Domestically, it advised Swindon Borough Council on its £200m regeneration project. Paul Jayson is highly recommended.

Within Construction, DLA Piper LLP is a third tier firm,

The ‘thoroughly dependable’ DLA Piper UK LLP is rising to prominence on infrastructure projects. It advised the ODA on Olympic venues, and Powerfuel Power on a new US$3bn coal-fired power station in Yorkshire. The diverse practice has notable expertise in public procurement, real estate and hotel development advice, and earned a spot on the ODA’s disputes panel. Cecily Davis and practice head Stephen Haller provide advice that is ‘quick, accurate and successful’.

Within Environment, tier 4

DLA Piper UK LLP’s national team includes Caroline Stockwell in London, and is led by Sheffield-based Teresa Hitchcock. Its expertise includes contaminated land and waste regulation as well as climate change and emissions trading. It advised Standard Bank on drafting secondary emission reduction purchase agreements. On the contentious side, Roy Tozer and colleagues remained involved in the Buncefield litigation.

Within Overview,

More positively, firms with international networks - such as Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, Clifford Chance, Linklaters LLP, Ashurst LLP and SJ Berwin LLP - will potentially weather the storm more easily as work comes in from a variety of sources. Property litigators are benefiting from an increasingly contentious market as the level of disputes continues to increase. Firms such as Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP, Nabarro LLP, DLA Piper UK LLP, Linklaters LLP and Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP are advising on some of the most visible property disputes.

Within Planning, tier 4

DLA Piper UK LLP acts primarily for public sector clients including the Environment Agency’s Thames Region, which it advised on three flood alleviation schemes, as well as private sector clients that include Oracle Homes. Howard Bassford’s team in London regularly tackles infrastructure projects, advising Halton Borough Council on the £500m Mersey Gateway project, while Sheffield, Hackney, and Swindon Borough Councils all instructed the team on urban regeneration projects during 2008.

Within Property finance, DLA Piper LLP is a second tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP’s property finance team is ‘able to put forward points in clear non-legal speak, and advice is always timely and accurate’. Stephen O’Brien’s group has significant strength in distressed loan advice, and has impressive links with banks such as Lloyds TSB, Barclays Bank and HSBC. The team was strengthened by the arrival of Marc Friedman and Robert Mower from Thelen Reid Brown Raysman & Steiner in September 2008.

Within Property litigation, DLA Piper LLP is a third tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP’s London team benefits from the support of a powerful national practice. The group, headed by the ‘sensible’ Ian Brierley, acted for Yeoman’s Row, in its successful appeal to the House of Lords, a highly significant case on commercial property contracts and estoppel.

Within Social housing, DLA Piper LLP is a third tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP’s Alex Guy advises housing associations, contractors and local authorities. The team acted in relation to Collyhurst Estate’s redevelopment.

Within Social housing finance, tier 4

DLA Piper UK LLP advises Lloyds TSB on social housing projects, and acted for Places for People Homes in relation to a £100m million revolving credit facility.

Within Brand management, DLA Piper LLP is a second tier firm,

At DLA Piper UK LLP, the ‘utterly dependable’ Siân Croxon is particularly strong on the sponsorship side and recently advised Virgin on its groundbreaking sponsorship of the London Marathon. She also handles advertising work, mainly on behalf of brand owners, and is active on regulatory disputes. UK head of IP Bonella Ramsay advises on international franchising work.

Within Intellectual property, tier 4

DLA Piper UK LLP’s IP practice gives ‘very good commercial advice and always responds in a timely manner’. The ‘high-profile’ Simon Levine recently advised longstanding trade mark client Honda on parallel imports. George Godar is ‘a very nice guy’ and recently advised Virgin Atlantic on patent and design right infringement claims. HSBC is a major client for trade mark portfolio management. Richard Penfold is now at Brown Rudnick Berlack Israels LLP.

Within IT and telecoms, DLA Piper LLP is a first tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP’s national approach and ‘precise understanding of where the pinch points are on a large IT deal’ contributed to a series of significant roles, most notably in the public sector where it acted for the Pensions Regulator on a multi-vendor IT programme. ‘One of the top legal advisers available’, group head Kit Burden had a strong year, including advising RBS/ABN AMRO on the renegotiation of a large-scale ITO contract. Mark Critchard acts on a range of public projects, as well as advising leading financial services clients and providing ‘extremely competent and dedicated counsel’. However, litigation partner Julian Stait moved to Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP and UK telecoms head Purvi Parekh joined Olswang.

Within Media and entertainment, DLA Piper LLP is a first tier firm,

Duncan Calow at DLA Piper UK LLP advises publishing clients including AOL, Random House, Macmillan and Pearson Education. The ‘smart, well-connected and practical’ Chris Hanson leads the UK film team, which advised on the production and financing of films including Frost Nixon, Knowing and Twilight. It advises major studios including Universal Studios and Paramount. New clients in the independent sector include Summit Entertainment. Well-regarded TV partner Michael Ridley advises Discovery Communications Europe and Freemantle Media, as well as new client Paul Abbott. Broadcasting specialists Nick West and Nick Fitzpatrick advise Sony Entertainment Television and the FA Premier League on domestic and international media rights, and Babel Networks on its internet TV service.

Within Overview,

Among the City law firms, Herbert Smith LLP in particular has a growing reputation in the TMT sector, and has notable patent litigation prowess. Allen & Overy LLP is also strong in IP, while Lovells LLP and Birmingham-based Wragge & Co LLP both have an international dimension to their practices. Simmons & Simmons has a genuine specialist interest in the TMT sector, while very few firms are able to compete with Baker & McKenzie LLP for its level of expertise on issues surrounding the convergence of telecoms and IT services. DLA Piper UK LLP has strong all-round IP strength, while SJ Berwin LLP is also highly regarded despite closing its top-tier film finance department.

Within Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, DLA Piper LLP is a second tier firm,

Clients say they ‘know they can rely on’ DLA Piper UK LLP. Global life sciences group co-chair Bonella Ramsay is highly respected, and is active on non-contentious patents, regulatory work and product liability, for clients such as UCB Pharma SA. Caroline Stockwell, a new appointment to the partnership, leads the healthcare regulatory team, and her clients include the international R&D legal team at Pfizer. Patent litigator George Godar is also recommended.

Within Sport, DLA Piper LLP is a first tier firm,

This section focuses on regulatory, disputes and commercial work for clients in the sports sector. The UK’s two leading sports practices are well matched, with Bird & Bird LLP and DLA Piper UK LLP both fielding recognised specialists in each of these three key areas.

Within Sport, DLA Piper LLP is a first tier firm,

The jewel in DLA Piper UK LLP’s sporting crown is key client the FA Premier League, which the ‘impressive’ team recently advised on its strategy and tender documents for the 2010-2013 media rights contract round. Other highlights include regulatory specialist Huw Roberts’ advice to the PGA European Tour on golf’s first doping control programme, while practice head Mark Gay - one of the market’s finest sports disputes lawyers - represented the IAAF before the CAS in Oscar Pistorius’ appeal over the use of his prosthetic ‘blades’. Media rights experts Nick Fitzpatrick and Nick West are highly recommended.

Within Aviation, DLA Piper LLP is a second tier firm,

At DLA Piper UK LLP, Mark Franklin (‘knowledgeable and well respected in the industry’) heads up a four-partner aviation team that has succeeded in building a significant profile in both the regulatory and insurance fields, netting instructions from major insurers, including Allianz Global and AIG, as well as major airlines and airline service providers. In addition to ongoing work for the likes of Continental Airlines on landing and take-off slot trading, the team is advising BMI and Virgin Atlantic on a possible judicial review of a decision by the CAA on price caps at Heathrow airport. Recent insurance highlights include representing Beaufort Underwriting Agency Limited in a claim against it by an African airport in relation to the crash of a Lockheed L-100 in São Tomé. It has also developed a significant overseas following, and recently acted for the Republic of Cyprus on a judicial review application concerning sovereignty over the airspace surrounding the Turkish-occupied northern territory. Clients praise the team for ‘balancing purely legal advice with a pragmatic eye’.

Within Rail, DLA Piper LLP is a second tier firm,

In addition to its ongoing work advising the Olympic Delivery Authority on infrastructure projects relating to the 2012 Olympic Games, DLA Piper UK LLP’s team, headed by Mark Swindell, has been advising the consortium acting on the procurement of a new fleet for the Intercity Express Programme.

Within Shipping , tier 6

Also new to the ranking, Ipswich-based Birketts LLP benefits from being close to Felixstowe, the UK’s largest container port. The practice was recently instructed by cargo reinsurers in relation to a crane accident, and receives instructions from shipowners, clubs and charterers on dry matters. Nicholas Woo is the key contact.

Within Shipping , tier 6

DLA Piper UK LLP works for several P&I clubs and blue-chip clients. It advised the time charterers in relation to a grounding near Papua New Guinea. Michael Kim is recommended for litigation, international arbitration and shipbuilding contract issues, while David McKie specialises in marine insurance, and shipping dispute resolution.