Clifford Chance (CC) has announced pay-rises of just over 4% for its junior lawyers, bringing the City giant broadly into line with magic circle rivals Linklaters and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.

Pay for newly-qualified lawyers (NQs) at CC is increasing from £63,500 to a new mark of £66,600 – equal to what Linklaters pays its NQs and just above the £66,000 on offer at Freshfields.