Linklaters has seen its trainee retention rate drop to 78%, with the magic circle firm keeping on 51 of its 65 trainees qualifying this autumn.

The figure, which compares with a retention rate of 93% this time last year, reflects the fact that only 60 of the firm's trainees applied for positions, with 53 of these offered positions. Of those offered a job on qualification, 51 accepted.

Confirmation of Linklaters' trainee retention figure comes as both Irwin Mitchell and Watson Farley & Williams have announced their own rates.

Irwin Mitchell is keeping on 76% of its 41-strong group of qualifying trainees, with the firm making offers to 32 trainees, of which 31 accepted.

The figure is down on this time last year, when Irwin Mitchell confirmed it was keeping on 28 out of 33 trainees – a retention rate of 85%. In 2010, the firm held on to 16 out of 19 trainees – equating to a retention rate of 84%.

Meanwhile Watson Farley is keeping on 83% of its autumn qualifiers, with the firm retaining 10 of the 12-strong intake.

A host of firms announced retention rates for September 2012 qualifiers last week, with Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Bird & Bird, and Field Fisher Waterhouse all keeping on more than 80% of their intake.

SJ Berwin, meanwhile, 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 the dip reflected the fact the September intake was one of its largest in several years due deferrals back in 2010.