17. Property Team of the Year-Article-201612061404

(L-R): Awards host David Mitchell, Norton Rose Fulbright's Victoria Watson and Duncan Field, awards judge Lesley Wan

Finalists: Gowling WLG (highly commended), Herbert Smith Freehills, Norton Rose Fulbright, Olswang, Simmons & Simmons, Taylor Wessing, White & Case, Winckworth Sherwood

Norton Rose Fulbright took the award in this category for its work advising City Airport on its successful planning appeal for a £344m expansion.

The team were called upon to be far "more than just lawyers", according to the awards judges, who praised them for emerging from the fray with "flying colours".

The firm's team, which was led by London planning head Duncan Field, helped the airport to utilise its powers under the Airports Act 1986 to acquire land, guiding it on the submission to the Secretary of State for Transport.

The expansion will enable the airport to handle more aircraft during peak hours, as well as accommodating the next generation of quieter, more fuel-efficient aircraft.

The firm's team also included planning associates Victoria Watson and Sarah Bischoff, as well as real estate partner Neil Biswas.