LK Shields Solicitors acted for the vendors in the sale of the entire issued share capital of Hamilton Osborne King (HOK) to Savills plc for an aggregate consideration of approximately €50 million. HOK is the largest firm of commercial property advisors in Ireland and is a market leader in the Irish retail market where it has a dominant position in the shopping centre sector. The acquisition was of the HOK Group operating within the Republic of Ireland.

The deal further enhances the strength and quality of HOK's service overseas and gives HOK direct access to Savills 125 offices with over 15,000 property professionals throughout the world. The deal also affords HOK the opportunity to look at further opportunities to strengthen its network in Ireland.

Gerry Halpenny, a partner in LK Shields Solicitors' Business Department, led the team with assistance from colleagues in the firm's Employment, Pensions & Employee Benefits Unit and Commercial Property Department.

There were a number of complex factors to be resolved caused by the structure of both the HOK Group and the transaction itself. In addition, the parties had desired a fairly aggressive target for completion which was successfully achieved.

July 2006.