Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Bird & Bird, SJ Berwin and Field Fisher Waterhouse have all confirmed trainee retention rates for their September 2012 qualifiers, with all bar SJ Berwin keeping on more than 80% of their intake.

Freshfields is keeping on 89% of its September qualifiers, with the magic circle firm offering 43 of its 46 newly-qualified (NQ) lawyers positions, with 41 accepting.

The percentage is marginally down on last autumn's intake, when the firm kept on 48 out of 50 trainees.

Bird & Bird meanwhile is keeping on 11 of its 12 NQs, resulting in a 92% retention rate, up from 75% this time last year, when 12 out of 16 lawyers stayed with the firm. Elsewhere, at Field Fisher, 17 NQs of a 20 strong round have accepted positions with the firm, putting retention at 85%.

In contrast, SJ Berwin is retaining 64% of its intake, with the firm offering 28 of its 42-strong round positions on qualification, with 27 accepting. Three chose not to apply. The firm took on all eight of its March 2012 NQs.

A spokesperson said: "Although the retention rate in September was lower than March, this was one of the biggest intakes we have had for a few years as we offered deferrals back in 2010. We offered deferrals back in 2010 to allow people to take time off before knuckling down to a career in law. Our overall figure for the year is more indicative of our normal trainee intake."

The figures are the latest in a string of retention rates confirmed by leading UK law firms. These include Clifford Chance, which is keeping on 48 (77%) of its 62 trainees, Slaughter and May and Berwin Leighton Paisner, which will retain 80% of its 20 qualifying trainees.

Earlier this month, Slaughter and May announced it will keep on 42 of its 48-strong intake, resulting in an 87.5% retention rate. Two of the trainees chose not to apply.

Pinsent Masons meanwhile is keeping on 54 of its 74 NQs, resulting in a retention rate of 73%, while DLA Piper has a retention rate of 83%, with 75 lawyers in an intake of 90 accepting roles. Four trainees did not apply.