In order to stay competitive in the recruitment market, law firms have been honing and developing the benefits packages offered to employees. Claire Ruckin talks to the UK top 10 law firms to find out what's available for those on the payroll

With top law firms all clamouring to attract new recruits from the same limited pool of candidates, it is easy to judge the leading firms by headline figures such as pay – and there is clearly little distinction on that front. Yet putting aside the debate over which firm offers the most lucrative package, there is a new battleground emerging, with firms standing out due to marked differences in their benefits packages.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer head of human resources Kevin Hogarth comments: "Firms have become more savvy in recognising that they all have to remain competitive with each other in terms of what benefits are on offer. If there is a significant difference, it can make a difference to the talent a firm attracts.