Mid-tier U.K. law firms increased their average lawyer salaries faster than their larger rivals in the 2019-20 financial year, auditor analysis of LLP accounts has found.

While the likes of Linklaters, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Clifford Chance, Allen & Overy and Hogan Lovells continue to have the highest staff cost per fee-earner, most of the top five firms did not increase their spend in the 12 months to April 2020, according to the study by Smith & Williamson.