Slaughter and May has become the second magic circle firm to reveal its trainee retention figures for the spring cohort – taking on 94% of its intake. The firm said it is retaining 35 of 37 trainees.

A spokesperson said this morning: ‘We are very pleased that we have continued to post consistently high retention rates and we look forward to the positive contribution these lawyers will make to the future of the firm.’

Last month, Clifford Chance became the first of the magic circle firms to reveal its March intake – keeping on 44 of 48 trainees (92%).

Firms usually announce how many trainees they are taking on for their March intake at the start of the year. However, on occasion firms do not reveal their intentions until the end of February or early March.

Last month, the Law Society said firms should tell trainee solicitors whether or not they intend to hire them at least two months before their expected qualification date.

The Society was responding to concerns from the Junior Lawyers Division that some employers were waiting until the last moment before telling trainees of their fate.

According to the guidance, law firms should ‘as a matter of good practice’:

  • Inform a trainee no later than 12 weeks prior to the expected admission date of a time at which they can expect to be told of their employer’s decision.
  • Inform a trainee no later than eight weeks prior to their expected admission date what that decision is.