Belfast firm Tughans has maintained its position at the top of the Experian Deal Review and Advisor League Tables for the number of deals done in Northern Ireland in the third quarter of 2016.

The Experian Deal Review Report shows Tughans was the most active legal advisor in terms of volume for the first nine months of 2016 participating in 37 out of total 140 deals.

While the 140 deals in Northern Ireland represent a 6 per cent increase over the same period in 2015, the total deal values year to date were down 53.2 per cent to £851 million.

Manufacturing remains Northern Ireland’s busiest sector for M&A activity with volumes up by over 10 per cent.

The financial services sector was in third position, behind wholesale and retail, in terms of volume and value.

John-George Willis, head of the firm’s corporate department, said: “Maintaining the top position in the Experian Deal Review and Advisor League Tables, with 26 per cent of announced deals, is a tremendous achievement and demonstrates not only the hard work and dedication of the Tughans’ team but also the continued faith put in us by our local and international clients.

“It is extremely pleasing for ourselves as an organisation, but it is also encouraging to see an increased level of activity in the marketplace.”