Staff at DLA Piper's Australian offices have been told not to expect any pay rises after the firm failed to meet its budget in the region.

Australia Managing Partner Andrew Darwin emailed staff last week to say that despite a big effort the targets hadn't been reached. As such, “for many … there will be no increase in base salary this year and for others there will only be a modest increase.” Partners’ pay packets will also be hit: “many partners will have no increases or, in some cases, a reduction in their remuneration.” A more thrifty approach will also be taken to costs outside the wage bill, such as travel expenses. No more club class flights to London, then...

A DLA partner gets used to his firm's new travel policy

Darwin pointed out that trading was difficult for all the major firms in the region, and that one of DLA Piper's competitors had already announced that it wouldn't be having its usual salary review next week. He added that despite a tough market the firm was in a strong position to do well in 2013/14 - but it's hardly the boom market that was expected a couple of years ago. Many of the UK firms that married Aussie brides in haste will now be repenting at leisure.

A spokesman for the firm declined to comment.