Macfarlanes' deals success shows City in good health

Look no further than Macfarlanes if you want evidence that the City deals bubble is far from bursting. The firm has struck seven transactions in the last three weeks.

Recent triumphs include advising Candover Investments, which backed managers who bought two collieries from the administrators of mining group Coal Investments.

Banking partner Mark Furman said: "It has been very hectic in the last six months and like many firms we are looking to recruit extra lawyers to cope with the deluge of work. Things could slow during the summer but I would not bet on it."

Furman has already had to cancel two holidays this year.

Other deals to Macfarlanes' credit include Cintex group, a specialist manufacturer acquired by a management buy-in team backed by Kleinwort Benson Development Capital. Macfarlanes advised KBDC.

The firm acted for Allders, the department store group, during the disposal of its duty free retailing operations. It also advised London General, one of the 10 London bus companies privatised in 1994 and recently sold for £48 million to The Go-Ahead Group.