Clifford Chance reinstates NQ salary benchmark

Clifford Chance has upped newly qualified lawyers’ salaries, returning pay scales to pre-September 2003 levels.

Newly-qualifieds will be now paid £50,000, the same rate they enjoyed before Clifford Chance introduced a review of lawyers’ salaries in April last year which saw pay-packets cut from £50,000 to £48,000 for those joining the firm after September 2003.

Trainees will be paid £29,000, a small increase on the firm’s past rate of £28,500.

The salary changes will take effect from May 1.