Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Lovells and Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton have hiked salaries for their German associates, following the lead of local rivals Hengeler Mueller and Gleiss Lutz.

Freshfields will now pay up to €95,000 (£65,000) to newly-qualified lawyers in Germany, a rise of 19% from a previous top rate of €80,000 (£55,000), while Lovells’ newly-qualifieds can expect a maximum of €87,000 (£59,000).