Maclay Murray & Spens has refused to divulge historic trainee retention figures, casting suspicion on its claim that it offers trainees a "bright future".

RollOnFriday uncovered this year's dismal stat thanks to a source who revealed that the Scottish firm gave jobs to just eight out of 22 qualifying trainees. The firm said a ninth trainee was also given a job, and that "experience shows the final number could well be higher still". But despite multiple requests, the firm refused to provide the final figures for any previous years. 

  "Best retention rates in the biz, guaranteed." 

Trainee retention figures are a routine disclosure and firms are overwhelmingly transparent about their results. MMS' clandestine approach, and its poor leaked result, suggests that it routinely fails to find jobs for a significant proportion of its trainees. 

In its promotional literature MMS boasts that “experience of the past few years shows that we have been able to keep on a high proportion of those qualifying who want to stay with us". In light of MMS' low retention rate this year and possibly historically, its statement looks very carefully worded. In the meantime, even the trainee featured on the MMS site giving a long testimonial is no longer there, having left for a brighter future at Pinsent Masons back in January.

MMS declined to comment, five times.
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Comments

Anonymous 26 May 17 23:19

I believe MMS' retention in 2009 was reported on RoF as 4 NQs from 30 trainees (across all offices).

Perhaps ROF could publish MMS' retention figures as reported on RoF for previous years to refresh our memories...

Anonymous 28 May 17 12:19

At least they hold a practising certificate. Better than being at an epic law firm, and forever kept in the paralegal heap on £25k.

Anonymous 14 June 17 20:28

Why don't you ask them to confirm the number of fee-earners who have been shed from their London office over the last 18 months?? That would be interesting, if they could be bothered to answer the question.