Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has decided to increase the levels of its lockstep pay bands after restarting its associate track earlier this year.

As of 1 May, the firm's newly-qualified rate, which was reduced last year, has been increased by £1,000 to £60,000, while one-year qualified lawyers have received a £2,000 raise to £68,000.

Lawyers with two years' experience will now take home £75,000, up from £73,000, while the third year-rate is unchanged at £86,000.

In February the firm announced that it was to unfreeze its lockstep as of 1 May, but at the time had made no decision on whether to increase its salary bands.

As in 2009, Freshfields was the first major UK firm to make an announcement on associate salaries for the year ahead. The firm's decision to unfreeze lockstep was followed by a similar move from Linklaters in March.

In April, magic circle rivals Clifford Chance and Allen & Overy both also moved to unfreeze lockstep; however, both firms also announced increases in the levels of their pay bands.

In a statement, the firm said: "We think it is right to return to normal salary progression this year. We are now seeing high levels of activity and our associates have worked very hard to help our clients and the firm through the challenges of the last two years".

Slaughter and May also today (7 May) unfroze its associate pay bands, allowing its junior lawyers to move through the lockstep as normal. The firm also announced modest salary increases for one and two-year qualified assistants, although third-year salaries have been cut by £2,000.