Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer will raise its assistant salary bands from 1 November, taking it ahead of the rate paid by magic circle rival Allen & Overy (A&O), Legal Week can reveal.

The changes, announced internally today (25 October), take the firm to a level slightly above A&O, although the firm refused to disclose exact details.

It is believed that the move will raise salary bands by roughly 5%, with two-year qualified lawyers' salary up from £62,000 at present to around £65,000.