Herbert Smith has announced its associate pay levels for 2009-10, as salaries inch up once more after last year's freeze.

Newly-qualified (NQ) lawyers, who saw pay held at £60,000 last year, will receive an increase of £1,000 to £61,000.

Associates with one or two years' post-qualification experience (PQE) will not see a change in pay, remaining static at £68,000 and £73,000 respectively, while three-year PQE lawyers will see salaries increased by £2,000 to £85,000.