Finalists: Baker & McKenzie • Berwin Leighton Paisner • Bird & Bird (highly commended) • Clifford Chance • DLA Piper • Olswang

Herbert Smith Freehills walked away with the TMT award for its work advising on the launch of a Middle East-based 24-hour news channel; a role which was particularly significant as the firm was 'parachuted' into the project when it was behind schedule and the initial launch had been suspended.

The firm advised the news channel on contractual arrangements in preparation for the launch, including the content supply agreement with a leading media company, production services arrangements and journalist contracts – "they showed a great deal of expertise and really took the client with them", one judge said.