Dealwatch: Magic Circle lead on £5.2bn Aviva takeover of Friends Life Sarah Downey2 December 2014Corporate and M&A In one of the biggest deals the UK insurance sector has seen in years, Aviva‘s acquisition of Friends Life for £5.2bn has also gifted Magic Circle trio Linklaters, Allen & Overy and Clifford Chance with leading advisory roles.Your limit of 1 article in 30 days is up. Please login for full access or subscribe. Corporate users - click here for simple access (no password needed). For more information, please contact [email protected] Related ContentMore in this category‘The energy capital of the world’ – why the global and US elite are betting on HoustonDisputes partners predict boom in lateral recruitment ahead of rise in activityThe Slaughters standard: what makes a top quality partner?Beyond the deals: how clients rate London’s top M&A teamsFreshfields and Slaughters among international line-up on €5bn Deutsche Börse dealRopes and Kirkland lead on EQT’s $3.7bn acquisition of secondaries leader CollerRevolving doors: Simpson Thacher, Latham, Sidley lead New Year London movesFive partners vie to succeed Hoyland as Simmons managing partner‘Seize every opportunity’ – Paul Hastings partner Reena Gogna on City law, Suits and poetry