Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) has announced across-the-board increases in its junior salary bands for 2013-14, with pay rises of up to 3% for the firm's trainees and associates.

The changes will take effect from 1 June and will see newly-qualified (NQ) lawyers now paid £63,000, up £1,500 from last year's salary of £61,500.

One-year PQE pay is up slightly from £68,500 to £69,000, while the biggest increase is for associates with two year's PQE, which is up by £2,000 to £77,000. Rates for lawyers with three years' PQE will also rise by £1,000 to £87,000.

First and second-year trainees will receive an extra £1,000, with pay increasing to £39,000 and £44,000 respectively.

The news comes after Ashurst also recently announced its associate pay levels. HSF's new pay bands set it slightly ahead of Ashurst at trainee and NQ level, while the firms now offer the same rates for lawyers with one and two years' PQE.

Herbert Smith 2013 junior salaries (2012 in brackets)

Trainee year 1: £39,000 (£38,000)
Trainee year 2: £44,000 (£43,000)
NQ: £63,000 (£61,500)
One year PQE: £69,000 (£68,500)
Two years' PQE: £77,000 (£75,000)
Three years' PQE: £87,000 (£86,000)