Magic circle firm Allen & Overy is taking on 93% of its trainees this September, allaying fears that coronavirus would cause trainee retention in the City to drop.

Of the 41 trainees at the firm, 38 applied to qualify and all of these were offered NQ positions. Last year 39 out of 44 trainees (89%) stayed on at the firm.

James Partridge, graduate recruitment partner at A&O said: ‘These are very positive numbers and I’d like to congratulate all of our September qualifiers. To be able to put forward a 100% offer rate in such an uncertain market is testament to the quality of our upcoming lawyers and demonstrates our commitment to continuing to invest in the future of legal excellence at A&O.’

Solicitors qualifying this autumn will receive a smaller pay package than last year’s cohort, following cuts to NQ pay. A&O NQs will receive a minimum total cash of £90,000, comprised of salary and a sign-on bonus, £10,000 less than last year.