CMS Cameron McKenna has set all of its fee earners and support staff a minimum target of 50 hours of corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities a year.

The target, which will not be mandatory, marks the first time that non-fee earning management and support staff at the firm will record their CSR contributions.

Fee earners, meanwhile, will see the CSR hours influence their pay, as they will be considered when deciding their merit-based remuneration, which was introduced last year.

The firmwide target is part of a new programme outlined by the firm's CSR committee and championed by new senior partner Dick Tyler (pictured).

In a guide to the scheme distributed last month, Tyler highlighted the possibility of the firm engaging jointly with clients in CSR projects, which have been divided into six areas: pro bono legal advice; community investment and volunteering; charity partnerships and giving; business expertise and not-for-profit organisations; diversity and inclusion; and environment.

CSR committee chairman Mark Nichols, a City tax partner, commented: "We think that what distinguishes a quality lawyer is that they are involved in CSR activities. As such, the decision to set a 50-hour target across the firm is a landmark move for us."

The participation will need to be recorded by partners, fee earners and support staff on a monthly basis and will also cover the firm's international offices.

CMS will be expanding the number of charities and organisations it works with to enable all staff to reach their CSR target. It currently works with bodies including pro bono organisation A4ID and the Hackney Mentoring Programme.