Clifford Chance (CC) is set to scale back its UK trainee intake from 2018.

The magic circle firm currently takes on around 100 trainees each year but this figure is expected to fall to 80 in 2018 – a 20% drop.

London managing partner David Bickerton said: "The deals that the UK strikes across the globe could change the priorities for the London practices of the leading international firms.

"Given the increased efficiencies we are seeing in the way in which we deliver client service, we decided well before the EU referendum to reduce the number of trainees we will be taking on in London in 2018, from about 100 to about 80."

CC has been steadily reducing its intake since 2010, when it took on 136 trainees. Four years later, the magic circle firm had 101 trainees.

Other magic circle firms have followed a similar trend. In 2010, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer took on 95 UK trainees whereas by 2016 that number had dropped by 16% to 80.

Similarly, Allen & Overy (A&O) had an intake in 2010 of around 120, which by 2014 was down to 99. This year, A&O took on 85 trainees – a 29% reduction in six years.

Linklaters dropped from 136 in 2010 to 115 in 2014, with the figure now standing at about 110.

The magic circle firm with the smallest annual trainee intake is Slaughter and May. In 2010, it took on a total of 88 trainees, which dropped to 79 by 2015. The firm has yet to release its autumn retention rates.