Groundbreaking new research by The Lawyer reveals that Linklaters offers the most generous associate bonuses in the City.

According to The Lawyer’s very first associates’ guide to bonuses, Linklaters is the only top 10 City firm which offers both its trainees and associates a performance-related bonus of up to 40 per cent as well as a firm-wide bonus.

This compares to rival Clifford Chance, which only offers 40 per cent bonuses associates with a minmum of four years’ PQE. Lovells offers all its associates a 30 per cent bonus.

Ashurst is the only firm in the guide, which has, in theory, an uncapped bonus at all for all associates while Slaughter and May is the only firm in the guide that does not offer bonuses.

Allen & Overy’s much-trumpeted first performance-related bonus will not be paid until July 2008. All of the other top 10 city firms pay their bonuses two to three months after the end of the financial year.

* For full results see page 20 of The Lawyer or click on In-Depth Analysis on www.TheLawyer.com