A survey of 94 law firms has shown that 60% expected staff pay rises to be above the rate of CPI in 2017, with a further 20% planning on increases in line with CPI.

The 2017 ALPMA/McLeod Duminy NZ Legal Industry Salary and HR Issues Survey says 15% of the firms surveyed plan a limited or total wage freeze.

Most of the firms which responded to the survey - 84% - said they offered bonus payments. This was up 8% from the 2016 survey.

Just 2% of responding firms offered bonuses to all roles at the firm.

Flexible working arrangements were offered by 81% of responding firms for staff - up from 68% in 2016. This includes flexible working hours, additional leave and parental leave.

Of the firms in the survey, 57% expected to hire new staff - mostly to grow the firm rather than to replace departing staff. The research showed an average staff turnover rate of 18%.