Addleshaw Goddard has pushed up salaries for its newly-qualified (NQ) lawyers, with those in the firm's regional offices seeing pay increase by 4%, against a rise of under 2% in London.

The increase, which took effect last month, saw salaries for NQs in Leeds and Manchester increase from £36,500 to £38,000, while London counterparts saw pay nudge up from £58,000 to £59,000.

Pay bands for the firm's merit-based remuneration system which runs from one year's post qualification experience (PQE) through to around four years' PQE remain unchanged. Associates with between one and four years' PQE earn between £38,000 and £58,000 in Leeds and Manchester and between £59,000 and £84,000 in London.

London managing associate salaries have been frozen at £85,000, while those in the regional offices see a £2,000 increase to £58,000.

A spokesperson at the firm said: "We are focused on structuring our performance and reward processes to attract, retain and motivate great people who can help us achieve our business goals.

"We remain committed to ensuring that reward and career development remains high on the agenda, and we strive to do what we can to ensure that salaries are both competitive with market rates and fairly reward contribution."

Addleshaws introduced the managing associate role around four years ago to provide a clearer and more structured career path to partnership. Associates start working towards it at around four years' PQE.
National rivals Pinsent Masons is holding its London NQ rate at £58,000, while regional NQ salaries have been frozen at £38,000 outside Scotland, and £36,000 in Scotland.

Meanwhile Wragges froze NQ rates in London at £58,000, while salaries for Birmingham-based NQs increased by £1,000 to £38,000.