Ashurst has bucked the trend of the UK elite by raising its salary bands, with the top 10 City firm increasing its pay for one to three-year qualified lawyers by between 3% and 6% for the new financial year.

One-year qualified solicitors will now get £56,000, a rise of £3,000, with those at two-years’ post-qualification receiving a £4,000 increase to £64,000. Three-year qualified lawyers will receive £70,000, up by £2,000.