Simmons' NQ retention rate jumps to 89 per cent

The top 20 law firm made 35 offers to the 38 trainees that went through the qualification process, 34 accepted NQ roles at the firm.

This is a massive rise from the spring 2012 qualifying round, where the firm achieved a 25 per cent retention rate, keeping just two out of eight trainee solicitors (17 February 2012).

It is also a rise on the rate achieved this time last year when the firm announced it was keeping only 10 out of 17 trainees, giving it a 59 per cent retention rate.

The news follows the disclosure of retention rates for Weil Gotshal & Manges, Herbert Smith and Norton Rose of 69 per cent, 80 per cent and 78 per cent respectively.