Ashurst is to retain 95% of its March trainee intake – significantly more than the firm kept on last year.

The top 10 City firm has offered 21 of the 22 trainees due to qualify in March positions on qualification, with all of these accepting the offer.

The 95% retention rate marks a significant improvement on the March 2010 round, when Ashurst only made offers to 14 of the 22-strong intake (64%). This figure increased to 84% in September 2010 when the firm kept on 26 of its 31 qualifiers.

Trainee principal and real estate partner David Jones commented: "We are very pleased with the high retention rate and we continue to develop trainees into newly-qualified lawyers of the highest calibre."

The news makes Ashurst the latest in a string of firms to announce their retention rates for March 2011, with most taking on at least 80% of their qualifiers.

Allen & Overy offered 88% of qualifying trainees a permanent position, while Nabarro offered 85% a job.

Fellow City firm Norton Rose, meanwhile, has announced its intention to change the cycle of its trainee intake from January to May, while simultaneously announcing its January retention rates of 87%.

Stephenson Harwood is the only firm so far to announce a 100% retention rate for March, with the firm taking on all five of its qualifying trainees.