Freshfields has posted trainee retention of 66 per cent for this autumn.

The magic circle firm is keeping on just 27 of its 41 qualifiers this September, having made offers to 29.

The firm made no comment as to its results except to point out that its five-year retention rate average is 82 per cent. Last autumn the firm posted its best retention results since 2011.

Retention of under 70 per cent is unusual among the magic circle firm. It is only the second time in the last eight years it has happened, the first being Clifford Chance’s 67 per cent retention earlier this year.

The other magic circle firm to have announced for this autumn, Allen & Overy, has kept on 85 per cent of its qualifiers.

Meanwhile, US firm Latham & Watkins has retained 95 per cent of its qualifiers, keeping on 21 out of 22.