The Legal 500

Within Corporate and commercial: Elsewhere in the North, Dickinson Dees LLP is a first tier firm,

Dickinson Dees LLP had another impressive year, receiving instructions on numerous high-value transactions including advising the management team of Fine Organics on the MBO from Laporte Industries. Recommended partner Nigel Williams acted for the shareholders of New Century Inns on its £32m sale to Green King.

Within Corporate and commercial: Newcastle, Dickinson Dees LLP is a first tier firm,

At Dickinson Dees LLP the ‘commercial and pragmatic‘ Jamie Pass leads a practice that boasts Arriva and the National Trust as clients, and has also been advising OpSec, a leading provider of anti-counterfeiting technologies, on a number of acquisitions (including Munich-based P4M Partners4Management GmbH) and a new debt facility with RBS . Simon Watts is also recommended.

Within Corporate tax, Dickinson Dees LLP is a first tier firm,

Jeremy Smith at Dickinson Dees LLP is recommended and has a solid reputation on the implementation of structured finance arrangements. The team advised the shareholders of Soil Machine Dynamics Ltd on tax issues arising from a sale to an MBO company funded by Inflexion.

Within EU and competition, Dickinson Dees LLP is a first tier firm,

Dickinson Dees LLP has handled compliance programmes for Arriva (in the UK and the EU), Go-Ahead, Govia and CE Electrics. The team remains active on merger clearance cases, and was recently instructed at EU level by a rail franchise client. Neil Warwick is recommended.

Within Licensing, Dickinson Dees LLP is a third tier firm,

Stuart Wardlaw at Dickinson Dees LLP is recommended for environmental-related work.

Within Commercial litigation: Elsewhere in the North, Dickinson Dees LLP is a first tier firm,

Under Craig Monty, the Tees Valley offering of Dickinson Dees LLP has developed a significant pensions litigation practice; clients include pension trustees, employers, and both claimants and defendants involved in professional negligence claims arising from pensions matters.

Within Commercial litigation: Newcastle, Dickinson Dees LLP is a first tier firm,

Dickinson Dees LLP, under John Marshall, successfully defended Tees Valley Regeneration Limited in an alleged breach of “lock out” case in the High Court. The practice receives numerous instructions from rail clients and was recently instructed by two rail companies on a challenge, by way of judicial review, to a decision by the British Transport Police Authority. Clients value the ‘brilliant results produced‘.

Within Debt recovery, Dickinson Dees LLP is a first tier firm,

Dickinson Dees LLP continues to provide an ‘excellent service‘ to clients in the financial, leisure and property sectors. Headed by Terry Phillips, the team is valued for its ‘professionalism and in-depth knowledge‘. Clients single out Helen Vaughan.

Within Banking and finance, Dickinson Dees LLP is a first tier firm,

Clients describe the practice at Dickinson Dees LLP as ‘extremely proficient and approachable‘. It was recently instructed by Alliance & Leicester on a number of acquisition finance facilities, including advising the bank and AIB Group plc on development facilities in the waste sector with a value of more than £20m. Deborah Kirtley leads the experienced team, which acts for clients such as Barclays, Abbey and the specialist acquisition finance team at Clydesdale Bank.

Within Insolvency and corporate recovery , Dickinson Dees LLP is a first tier firm,

The five-partner team at Dickinson Dees LLP handles a mix of investigation, directors’ disqualification and mainstream insolvency work, and has recently been involved in a raft of insolvency-related matters for numerous major financial institutions. Julian Gill ‘has made a seamless transition from his old firm and has significantly increased the capability‘ of the firm, and the ‘highly efficient and professional‘ Sally Dallow is also recommended.

Within Employment, Dickinson Dees LLP is a first tier firm,

Described as being ‘in a league of its own‘ and having ‘quality people‘, Dickinson Dees LLP balances a mix of private and public sector clients, advising on both contentious and non-contentious matters. Practice head Glenn Calvert advised Northern Electric and Yorkshire Electricity on industrial action by unions, and Lorraine Heard has been acting for various NHS trusts in the defence of vast numbers of equal pay claims. The team also advises Croydon Council and a major car retailer.

Within Health and safety, Dickinson Dees LLP is a first tier firm,

Dickinson Dees LLP, under Stuart Wardlaw, delivers compliance advice to public and private sector clients that span the chemicals, utilities and manufacturing industries.

Within Pensions, Dickinson Dees LLP is a first tier firm,

The ‘excellent‘ Dickinson Dees LLP practice is led by Martin Poore after the 2008 departure of former practice head Martin Jenkins. Instructions include a number of multi-party scheme mergers and various scheme restructurings. The ‘pro-active and sensible‘ Alex Rodger is recommended.

Within Personal injury - defendant, Dickinson Dees LLP is a second tier firm,

Clients speak highly of the ‘excellent working relationship‘ they have with Dickinson Dees LLP. Alison Gray heads the defendant insurance litigation team and is recommended for her ‘depth of knowledge‘. Recent instructions include advising a commercial client on numerous claims brought following an outbreak of Legionnaires’ Disease.

Within Agriculture and estates , Dickinson Dees LLP is a first tier firm,

Dickinson Dees LLP retains the National Trust, Natural England and a number of landowning local authorities as clients. Simon Kirkup has an impressive track record advising on the sale and purchase of agricultural or sporting estates in the North of England. Stefan Bainbridge and Harry Chrisp are recommended for their non-contentious property work.

Within Charities , Dickinson Dees LLP is a first tier firm,

Dickinson Dees LLP continues to provide ‘excellent service combined with very good sector knowledge‘. A real strength of the practice is its experience of large merger instructions, and 2008 saw it advise Scope on its merger with Dial UK. Ros Harwood and Emma Moody are both ‘well connected within the industry‘. The team also works for a number of independent schools.

Within Family, Dickinson Dees LLP is a first tier firm,

‘Unquestionably top tier‘, Dickinson Dees LLP has a cross-office family practice. Stockton-based Margaret Simpson offers specialist experience in landed estates and farming cases, while barrister Ian Kennerley - ‘a fantastic lawyer‘ - is located in Newcastle. The practice continues to develop its child law capabilities.

Within Personal tax, trusts and probate, Dickinson Dees LLP is a first tier firm,

2008 was another impressive year for the team at Dickinson Dees LLP. It advised on the administration of over 120 estates with combined assets of £350m. David Dale heads up the department and offers specialist investment, pension and tax-planning strategies for business owners, entrepreneurs and wealthy individuals. The team has seen an increase in contentious instructions.

Within Energy, Dickinson Dees LLP is a first tier firm,

Dickinson Dees LLP recently advised EDF Energy on several projects including an offshore wind farm. Jonathan Hewitt is recommended.

Within Private finance initiative (PFI), Dickinson Dees LLP is a first tier firm,

Highlights for the ‘very knowledgeable‘ team at Dickinson Dees LLP included winning appointments to act for private sector bidders on four BSF schemes across the country. Tim Care is recommended alongside ‘expert PFI lawyer‘ and ‘formidable negotiator‘ Iain Greenshields.

Within Public sector, Dickinson Dees LLP is a first tier firm,

The ‘solid‘ multi-disciplinary team at Dickinson Dees LLP has a client base of regional and national councils and boroughs. It includes the ‘excellent‘ Rowan Ferguson, advising education clients on various matters, and Deborah Ramshaw on the procurement side. Kevin Robertson is also recommended for his role on BSF instructions and specialism in Blue Light projects.

Within Commercial property: Elsewhere in the North, Dickinson Dees LLP is a first tier firm,

‘Terrific lawyer‘ Barbara Painter heads the Tees Valley practice at Dickinson Dees LLP, which is well placed to offer standalone and cross-office advice.

Within Commercial property: Newcastle, Dickinson Dees LLP is a first tier firm,

Offering ‘excellent client relationship management combined with in-depth understanding of the market sector‘, Dickinson Dees LLP has benefited from the diversity of its client base and ‘spread and depth of team knowledge‘ in an area so heavily affected by the economic downturn. Recent instructions include advising the London Borough of Croydon on two new mixed-use town centre projects. John Ralph has taken over as practice head, and Ian Ward is recommended for his ‘understanding of client requirements and first-rate service‘. The team acted for Nike in its reorganisation of UK real estate, and was also instructed by Buccleuch Property Fund on the acquisition of Princess Park, Team Valley, Tyne & Wear.

Within Construction , Dickinson Dees LLP is a second tier firm,

The ‘client focused‘ Dickinson Dees LLP delivers ‘succinct, practical and commercial legal advice‘. Clients single out the ‘down to earth‘ Nick Henderson, who gives ‘efficient, practical advice‘. Simon Lewis continues to develop expertise in disputes relating to PFI projects and infrastructure. Clients include Northumbria University and numerous councils.

Within Environment, Dickinson Dees LLP is a first tier firm,

The ‘truly excellent‘ environment team at Dickinson Dees LLP has a strong track record and attracts high praise from clients. The ‘excellent‘ Stuart Wardlaw heads the practice, which advises a range of industrial, commercial and public sector clients.

Within Planning, Dickinson Dees LLP is a first tier firm,

Notable instructions for Dickinson Dees LLP, headed by Paul Finch, include advising SITA on a proposed landfill extension in Northumberland. It also acted for Macclesfield Borough Council on planning and compulsory purchase aspects of a town centre redevelopment scheme. The team boasts clients throughout the UK, including the London Borough of Croydon and the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities.

Within Property litigation , Dickinson Dees LLP is a first tier firm,

Jen Smurthwaite heads the Dickinson Dees LLP team, which has seen growth in agricultural property litigation. Elspeth Moncrieff recently advised a developer client in a £5m dispute. Clients include Northern Electric and Taylor Wimpey.

Within Social housing, Dickinson Dees LLP is a first tier firm,

Dickinson Dees LLP’s practice remains strong and boasts clients up and down the UK including over 20 RSLs. Benjamin Done leads the team, which continues to win new clients such as Liverpool Housing Trust and Cestria Community Housing. Russell Hall is recommended.

Within Intellectual property and information technology, Dickinson Dees LLP is a first tier firm,

2008 saw Dickinson Dees LLP build on its reputation in the financial sector, advising new client M&G on the outsourcing agreement for the liftout of the company’s customer contact centre. IP work includes advising a significant number of clients on trade mark protection and portfolio management. Andrew Scott is recommended for IT matters and Mark Pearce for IP work.

Within Media and entertainment , Dickinson Dees LLP is a first tier firm,

Jamie Pass at Dickinson Dees LLP advised CN Group on the sale of its Loughborugh-based subsidiary, Oak FM, to Lincs FM Group. King’s Place Music Foundation is also a client.

Within Sport, Dickinson Dees LLP is a first tier firm,

Clients of the practice at Dickinson Dees LLP span numerous sporting sectors and include Northern Racing, Nike UK, Newcastle United FC and Nova (advised in relation to its promotion and running of the Great North Run). Peter Clark leads the practice and is recommended.

Within Regional review, Dickinson Dees LLP is a first tier firm,

Redundancies have been a common theme for many of the firms recommended in the chapter; like many other businesses in the region, law firms have been unable to avoid the impact of the recession, with real estate, corporate, and banking and finance the areas worst hit. Dickinson Dees LLP shed its bulk conveyancing department to Optima Legal.

Within Regional review, Dickinson Dees LLP is a first tier firm,

Ward Hadaway opened its first out-of-region office in Leeds in June 2008. Following on from Dickinson Dees LLP and Watson Burton LLP, the firm is the third to break out of the Newcastle market and look south to Yorkshire. This expansion south is not limited to the top-tier firms; BHP Law opened in Halifax in April 2008 through its merger with local firm Clarksons.

Within Transport, Dickinson Dees LLP is a first tier firm,

Rail is the main focus of Dickinson Dees LLP’s transport practice. Recent impressive instructions include acting for train operators Southern Railway and Southeastern Railways on mid-term amendments to their franchise agreements. In addition, the team has been acting for Nexus, the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive, on the tendering of a new operating concession for the Metro light rail transit system, and the introduction of £300m of infrastructure improvements. David Rewcastle heads the practice and has extensive experience on transport projects, specifically rail matters. Paul Coleman is also recommended. The firm also acts for Govia Limited and London Midland.