Allen & Overy has announced a 79% retention rate for its September 2012 batch of qualifiers.

The magic circle firm is keeping on 46 out of a total of 58 of its newly-qualified lawyers (NQs) – a boost on last year when it kept on 39 out of 53 NQs, marking a retention rate of 74% for its September 2011 intake. However, it is down on its 89% March 2012 retention result.

Meanwhile, Nabarro has reported a 69% retention rate, after nine of 11 NQs accepted roles offered at the firm, from a total of 13 who qualified. The percentage is a substantial drop from last September's figures, when the firm retained 19 out of 20 trainees, resulting in a 95% retention rate.

Other firms announcing September 2012 retention rates so far have included Linklaters, which saw its percentage fall to 78%, Irwin Mitchell, which kept on 76% of qualifying trainees.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Bird & Bird and Field Fisher Waterhouse have all announced they will be keeping on more than 80% of their intake.

Meanwhile, Clifford Chance announced it will keep on 48 (77%) of its 62 trainees this autumn, while earlier this month, Slaughter and May reported that it will retain 42 of its 48-strong intake, resulting in an 87.5% retention rate – a 91% rate if accounting for two of the trainees that chose not to apply.