Linklaters and Slaughter and May are both keeping on more than 85% of their September-qualifying trainees, with the magic circle pair increasing their retention rates on last year.

Linklaters has retained 87% of its newly qualified (NQ) lawyers after offering 47 trainees a job out of a 54-strong cohort. Two NQs chose not to apply. The figure is up on a retention rate of 78% this time last year.

Meanwhile, Slaughters is set to keep on 88% of its September qualifiers. Of a 51-strong round, 46 were offered a role at the firm, with one turning down an offer. The result is mainly static on last year's rate, when Slaughters confirmed it would keep on 42 of its 48-strong September intake, marking an 87.5% retention rate.

Magic circle peers Clifford Chance (CC) and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer have both already confirmed their September 2013 retention rates, each posting results of about 80%.

CC retained 80% of its NQs after 48 of its 60-strong cohort accepted roles at the firm, out of 51 who were offered jobs. Freshfields is keeping on 81% of its autumn qualifiers, with the magic circle firm offering roles to 40 of its 48 NQs, with 39 accepting.

The figures come as both Mills & Reeve and Trowers & Hamlins confirm their own retention rates for this autumn's intake.

Mills & Reeve is keeping on 17 of its 20 NQs, giving a retention rate of 85%, while Trowers will retain six of seven qualified trainees, taking its rate to 95%.