Slaughters reviews PSL pay in wake of associate salary hikes

Slaughter and May is conducting a review of its professional support lawyers' (PSLs) remuneration structure after it hiked trainee and associate salaries and introduced a 15 per cent bonus for fee-earners.

Non-fee-earners, including PSLs, will be paid just a 3 per cent bonus, provoking the review announced to PSLs on 1 November.

Partner Charles Randell, who is spearheading the review, said: "We think we're heading in a different direction to other firms because we're looking to grow our PSL numbers and are actively recruiting for PSLs in many areas, specifically corporate and finance.

"We're determined to ensure we're competitive on pay." Slaughters insisted that the move was not in response to the generous pay rises awarded to fee-earning staff. It claimed that the review was already underway before the annoucement. The firm has brought in external consultants to help with the review.

Slaughters, which has 19 PSLs, is hoping to conclude the review by next spring in time for the May pay review.