City firms Norton Rose Fulbright and Herbert Smith Freehills are the latest to reveal their trainee intake for March 2018.

Norton Rose Fulbright took on 20 of its 24 intake (83%). Of the remaining four, two trainees resigned while another two were offered roles but did not take up a position. The figure is exactly the same as last spring’s.

Herbert Smith Freehills meanwhile posted a marked increase on last year’s score – taking on 92% of its cohort. Of 37 trainees, 35 applied for a role with 34 trainees being offered and accepting a role. Last year, 77% of the firm’s 35 trainees were taken on.

James Baily, training principal, Herbert Smith Freehills, said: ‘This has been a fantastic qualification round for us, with a very strong retention rate reflecting both the quality of our trainees and the firm’s commitment to developing home-grown talent.

‘As with our last round, a number of our London trainees have qualified into offices overseas, which is also good to see because it shows the extent of international opportunities at the firm.’

Newly qualified solicitors at Herbert Smith will start on salaries of £82,000 while at Norton Rose they earn £75,000.