Although a number of UK top 10 firms have increased their salary bands, including Clifford Chance, Allen & Overy, Slaughter and May, Herbert Smith, Norton Rose and Hogan Lovells; others have seen freezes. And even reductions!

First the good news.

Berwin Leighton Paisner – first year trainees remain unchanged but second years and NQs pay will receive a £1,000 increase.
Trainee 1st Year: £37,000
2nd: £41,000
NQ: £59,000

Getting cooler – this lot are frozen at last year’s rates.

Simmons & Simmons
Trainee 1st Year: £36,000
2nd: £40,000
NQ: £59,000

CMS Cameron McKenna
Trainee 1st Year: £37,000
2nd: £41,500
NQ: £59,000

Pinsent Masons
Trainee 1st Year: £36,000
2nd: £39,000
NQ: £58,000

And finally, who’s been scrimping?

It’s Bird & Bird which has frozen trainee and NQ rates and reduced its pay bands for associates by £2,000 for associates.
Trainee 1st Year: £35,000
2nd: £37,000
NQ: £55,000
1PQE: £58,000
2PQE: £63,000
3PQE: £69,000

It’s not the pre-crash glory days but there’s a definite improvement on last year.