Linklaters has become the latest City firm to post its March retention rates, with 50 out of 60 (83%) qualifying trainees offered a permanent position with the firm.

Of the 50 trainees offered a newly-qualified (NQ) role, 49 accepted the offer, resulting in an overall retention rate of 82%.

However, the number of trainees who actually applied for positions was slightly lower than usual, with only 54 out of 60 submitting applications.

The magic circle firm's most recent retention figure is higher than the figure announced at the same time last year, when only 73% of qualifying trainees were retained.

In September 2010, however, the offer rate was significantly higher, with 87% staying on at the firm.

Linklaters trainee development partner Simon Firth said: "Taking into account the fact that six trainees decided to resign before the decisions were made, the retention rates are very good this year. If all sixty candidates had submitted applications, we would have been able to make more offers."

Separately, Addleshaw Goddard has posted its March retention rates, with six out of seven (86%) qualifying trainees offered a permanent position with the national firm.

Of the six trainees offered an NQ role, all six accepted the offer. The March intake will see two associates join the commercial team, one join corporate, one in real estate team and one in litigation. The sixth NQ will start a client secondment in March.

Training partner Andrew Blower said: "Our retention rate over the years is an encouraging indication of a strong business with a genuine commitment to attracting, retaining and developing great people as well as a culture, client base and ambition that is attractive to the very best talent."

The news comes a month after rival magic circle firms Clifford Chance (CC) and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer announced their retention figures.

CC announced above-average retention rates for March, with the firm keeping on 91% of its NQs. The magic circle firm will gain 52 new associates out of a total of 57 NQs, with the offer rate standing at 93% after the firm offered jobs to 53 of the qualifying intake.

Meanwhile, Freshfields revealed that it had offered 40 out of 45 qualifying trainees (89%) a position at the firm.