Berwin Leighton acted for Legal & General Assurance Society in the purchase of Breakspear Park, Hemel Hempstead, from BP Oil for £48m. Laurie Heller led the team and was assisted by Karen Paul. Simmons & Simmons' Stephen Elvidge advised BP.

Cameron McKenna acted for computer software company BP Oilin a property deal which will save the company more than £2m a year in rent. MDIS bought its UK headquarters in Hemel Hempstead for £25m from its subsidiary.

The company then sold the building to Brook Estates and took a lease on the property on market terms. An agreement was also made to allow MDIS to re-acquire the property. Charles Romney and Bruce Dear led the team.

Clifford Chance's Iain Morpath and Sarah Watkinson advised the seller and the buyer. David Harpum of Linklaters advised MDIS on corporate matters. Peter Hayes of Field Fisher Waterhouse advised Citibank, which financed Brooke Estates.

Clifford Chance acted for Burford Property Group on its acquisition of three retail sites from fund managers Hermes for a total of £89m. Cliff McAuley led the team.

The sites are based at Fishergate Centre, Preston, Euro Retail Park, Ipswich and the Phase II Tunnel Retail Park in West Thurrock. DJ Freeman partner Andrew Sanders acted for Hermes.