Clifford Chance has announced it is taking on 81% of its trainee cohort, becoming the last magic circle firm to reveal its figures.

The Canary Wharf-based firm said today that out of 52 trainees it hired 42 (81%). All but one of its trainees applied for a role.

The score puts the firm on level pegging with many of its counterparts. Allen & Overy took on 85% of its trainees while Linklaters hired 84%. Slaughter and May lead the way this time around by taking on 29 of its 32 trainees (90%).

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer bucked the trend this year. It offered contracts to only 29 of 41 trainees, with 27 (66%) accepting a role - a marked contrast to September last year when the firm retained 95% of its 42 trainees.

Most City firms took on 80% or more of their trainees this year. Notable exceptions included US headquartered Weil Gotshall & Manges (50%) and Taylor Wessing (62%).