Clifford Chance (CC) has improved its trainee retention rates with 79% of September qualifiers due to remain with the magic circle firm.

The offer rate at the firm stood at 82%, as CC offered 60 jobs to 73 qualifiers, from which 58 have accepted a role with the firm.

The numbers mark an improvement of almost 10% on the rates at the City giant in March this year and in September 2009, when the retention rate stood at 70% on both occasions.

The news comes as Nabarro has also finalised its retention figures, posting an 86% rate after deciding to keep on 18 out of 21 trainees that are due to qualify at the firm in September.

A majority of City rivals to announce rates for September so far have posted increased rates compared to the same time last year.

Top performers included Slaughter and May, which posted a 93% retention rate for September, and Berwin Leighton Paisner, Macfarlanes and Holman Fenwick Willan, which all also posted retention rates in excess of 90%.

Norton Rose and Allen & Overy (A&O) both posted rates above 80%, at 83% and 81% respectively, while Herbert Smith will keep on 75% of September qualifiers and DLA Piper 70%.

Bird & Bird, however, saw a decline in retention rates but maintained a fairly high percentage of 84% after managing to keep on 100% of qualifiers in September last year.