Ashursts doubles bonus payments to keep up with the ChancesCity firm Ashurst Morris Crisp has doubled the lump sum it sets aside for bonuses following last week's announcement that it would match the pay rises of magic circle firms.Ashursts' managing partner Ian Nisse told the Gazette: 'We have always had a bonus scheme - but it has increased.

In fact, we doubled it.'The move is part of a package of across-the-board pay increases which has seen the salary of newly qualified lawyers rise to 42,000 from 35,000.

Clifford Chance set the benchmark when it raised the pay of new assistants from 33,000 to 42,000 (see [2000] Gazette, 14 April, 5).Mr Nisse explained: 'The assistants in the firm are your lifeblood.

They work extremely hard and make a massive contribution.

We can afford to do it.

Our profits for partners will increase significantly this year.

All the major firms are very busy at the moment and there is a demand for top-quality people.' Last month, US firm Mayer Brown & Platt raised the salaries of its London fee-earners by 10%, to 53,000.

It is also giving its UK lawyers an extra week's paid holiday.Meanwhile, Ashursts' property and litigation departments are expanding into new premises.

Ashursts' has signed a deal with Broadgate West and the departments are set to move from Broadwalk House in September.

'Our turnover keeps increasing year on year in both of these departments,' commented Mr Nisse.

'They remain very profitable and very successful.'After the 42,000 square foot acquisition, the firm will have more than 200,000 square feet of City premises.

When property and litigation move out, said Mr Nisse, the corporate, finance and tax departments will also have room to expand in Broadwalk House.

Mr Nisse said: 'It works out well for us because it's just across the road.

We are planning to take on more people and Broadgate West has expansion space built in.'Ashursts property partner David Albert did the legal work, while Clifford Chance's Andrew Rolfe advised Broadgate West.

Ashursts property clients include NatWest and Tesco.See leader, page 14 and office moves feature, page 28.Anne Mizzi