Linklaters has opted not to increase its associate pay bands for the 2011-12 financial year.

The announcement makes Linklaters the third magic circle practice to confirm its stance on associate salaries for the year ahead, and means that a lawyer with one year post-qualification experience (PQE) will earn £68,000 from 1 May, with £61,500 for newly-qualified associates.

Those moving from one year PQE to two years' PQE will earn £73,000 and £85,000 the following year. The firm will also pay out a performance-related bonus to its top achievers as normal.

A Linklaters spokesman commented: "High levels of individual contribution in the practice will be rewarded through the firm's well-established bonus scheme, which is available to all levels of legal staff, from trainees through to counsel. There is no limit on the percentage of bonus awarded at each level.

"We believe it is important to continue to invest in our people who will enable the firm to deliver on its strategy, and to recognise their hard work and commitment in delivering consistently excellent advice to our clients."

The news comes after Allen & Overy announced yesterday (12 May) that it was freezing its salary bands, while Slaughter and May confirmed minor pay increases earlier this month.