Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is set to retain almost all of its qualifying trainees this autumn, with 96% of its September intake set to stay on at the firm.

Forty-eight of 50 newly-qualified lawyers (NQs) have accepted a job with the firm starting in September after 49 were asked to stay on, with one declining.

The retention rate marks an increase on the firm's last two intakes, after the firm offered 89% a role in March this year and 91% last September.

Freshfields trainee partner Simon Johnson (pictured) said: "We're pleased to be able to offer so many of our trainees an NQ position. This is one of our highest retention rates in years and reflects both the high calibre of our trainees and strong demand from the practice groups and offices."

Meanwhile, Reynolds Porter Chamberlain has also announced its trainee retention rate today (26 July), with the firm – which recently re-entered the UK top 50 revenue rankings – set to keep on 100% of its 13 NQs this September.

The news follows a raft of trainee retention rates announced by top UK firms earlier this month. Herbert Smith is set to keep on 44 out of 55 of its NQs this autumn, equating to a retention rate of 80%, while BLP will see 95% – 19 out of 20 – of its trainees remain at the firm.

Slaughter and May has posted the highest retention rate among the UK top 50 to date this year, with the magic circle firm set to keep on 100% of its 59 NQs this September.