Seddons rolls out commission-only pay

Seddons now employs a handful of consultants who have no basic salary, instead taking home a portion of the money they bring in.

Other firms, including Davenport Lyons and ­Keystone Law, are understood to include a significant ­commission element in ­contracts for new hires.

Seddons managing partner Robin Austin said: “I don’t think you can afford to just pay someone a high basic salary without any assurance that they can cut it.”

A number of Seddons partners are also on commission-heavy packages.

West End-based Cramer Pelmont employs all of its seven partners on a ­commission-only basis. They earn between 40 and 50 per cent of what they bill and can hire associates using income from clients.

Cramer Pelmont managing director Alex Brassey said: “The only people that come here are those with genuine followings.”