Barlow Lyde & Gilbert has become the latest City law firm to award its trainees and newly-qualified (NQ) lawyers an increase in pay despite the challenging financial climate.

First-year trainees at the UK top 40 firm will now take home a salary of £36,000, marking a 11% increase from last year’s figure of £32,000. Similarly, second-year trainee salaries have increased by £4,000, bringing pay up to £39,000 from £35,000.