Magic circle firm Linklaters, the latest City outfit to reveal its autumn retention rate, is to retain 84% of its trainee cohort.

The Silk Street-based firm said today it is taking on 47 of its 56-strong group of trainees.

Excluding resignations, the firm made offers to 95% of the cohort. Six trainees decided not to accept. 

The figures are down on last year, however, when the firm offered jobs to all 56 trainees. The retention rate then was 91%, following five resignations.

As the Gazette reported last week, Slaughter and May leads the way in the magic circle so far, taking on 29 of 32 trainees.

Allen & Overy had 47 trainees on its programme, all of whom applied. The firm made offers to 41 and 40 accepted, giving it an 85% retention rate.

The outlier is Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, which recorded a sharp dip on last year.

The magic circle firm offered contracts to 29 of 41 trainees this time, with 27 accepting a role (66%).