Lovells has retained 69% of its September qualifiers, placing the firm broadly in line with its City rivals.

Thirty-six trainees from a qualifying intake of 40 applied for a job at the firm, with a total of 25 taken on.

This retention rate marks a slight decrease on Lovells' trainee intakes in March – when the firm retained 78% – and September 2008, when 74% were kept on

The firm said it is offering outplacement counselling and seeking temporary roles for those who did not make the cut.

A Lovells spokesperson: "We recognise that some will be disappointed that they have not been taken on and we are looking for temporary roles for them with the firm and elsewhere, with one trainee already recruited to stay on a contract basis as a temporary lawyer.

"This is the first time in many years that the number of roles has been less than the number of qualifying trainees and it is a reflection of the uncertain market environment."

Slaughter and May has the highest retention rate among leading City firms – 94% – after holding onto 47 of its 50 qualifiers.

Ashurst's retention rate stands at 73%, while Norton Rose is keeping on 83%. However, Taylor Wessing and Denton Wilde Sapte have retained just 54%.

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