AMICUS
Annual Report & Financial Statements | For the year-ended 31 March 2024
Fighting for justice on death row
ANDREW LEE JONES
Andrew was born the seventh child out of 14 to a black share-cropping family. His life changed after his father’s death, when the family was evicted. Andrew soon fell into petty crime; none of which involved violence. In 1984, he was charged with the murder of his ex’s daughter. Not only did the prosecutor strike-out all black potential jurors, she never informed Andrew’s defense attorney (despite her obligation so to do) that a state psychiatrist had diagnosed him with psychosis. The all -white jury found Andrew guilty in a trial which lasted one day.
During the penalty phase, his court-appointed defense attorney failed to inform the jury that: Andrew had an IQ of 77 and had never progressed beyond the second grade at school; he suffered from organic brain damage; and he had become addicted to drugs as a teenager and had experienced psychotic episodes throughout his adult life. The lawyer did not even request funding for a defense mental health evaluation.
After this sentencing hearing, which lasted less than two hours, the jury duly sentenced him to death.
In 1991, the Board of Pardons met to hear final appeals for clemency. Andrew’s family begged for his life and mental health experts testified. Finally, his 1984 attorney spoke on his behalf and apologised for not having given Andrew a fair defense. Less than five years out of law school, this lawyer had not been properly qualified to conduct capital trials. He had received the papers only a short time before the trial and he saw Andrew only occasionally beforehand. The Board, however, denied clemency.
On 22 July 1991, Andrew was executed. He was the last person in Louisiana to die by the electric chair. If Amicus’ volunteers and caseworkers had been on hand to help, he might still be alive today.
The Andrew Lee Jones Fund Ltd (t/a Amicus) was founded in 1992 by Jane Officer,
Little could Andrew Lee Jones have known that his personal correspondence with Jane Officer over three decades ago would lead directly to what Amicus does today.
It was when she attended the Louisiana Board of Pardon’s clemency hearing that Jane first learned the circumstances surrounding Andrew’s trial and sentencing. She was shocked and horrified at what she saw and heard; the denial of the basic rights of fair legal representation and of equal justice under the law.
On the night of Andrew’s death, when she was outside the prison during the execution, she had turned to Andrew’s final appeal attorney and asked: “What can be done?” . His reply was simple and direct: “Send us lawyers.” .
Having promised him that she would never let his name be forgotten, Jane returned to the UK and, together with her cofounder, Sophie Garner, she founded Amicus with the mission to fight for justice for those facing the death penalty in the US who often, as a consequence of history, economy and race, are the most vulnerable in society. Andrew Lee Jones , executed 1991
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Andrew Lee Jones | IFC |
| Why we exist & What we do | 2 |
| 2024 Highlights & Message from our Executive Director | 3 |
| Casework | 4 |
| Fundraising | 5 |
| Education & Training | 6 |
| Financial review | 7 |
| Structure, Governance & Management | 8 |
| Administrative information | 9 |
| Responsibilities of the Trustees | 10 |
| Independent examiner’s report | 11 |
| Statement of financial activities | 12 |
| Balance sheet | 13 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 14 |
Website: www.amicus-alj.org email: admin@amicus-alj.org
1
Why we exist
Founded in 1992 in memory of Andrew Lee Jones, Amicus fights for justice for those facing a death sentence in the US who are often, as a consequence of history, economy, and race, the most vulnerable in society.
What we do
Provide frontline legal support for US defense teams
Raise public Educate and awareness train lawyers of capital on US death punishment penalty law issues
PLACEMENTS
Every year we train and place a number of volunteers with capital defense organisations across a number of states in the US. These attorneys generally are overworked and under-resourced; Amicus volunteers provide vital support, often carrying out work that could otherwise not be done.
We also operate a UK-based placement programme, providing opportunities for volunteers to be attached to Amicus’ office, working across a wide range of activities. These placements have enabled individual volunteers unable to travel to the US to get involved in the Charity’s work.
CASEWORK
Affiliate law firms and universities, and sometimes individual members, work remotely on live cases, often playing a direct role in helping to save a person from execution. The work includes, inter alia : research; summarising trial transcripts and mitigation records; and drafting motions and briefs.
Caseworkers also participate in essential large research projects. These projects often can lead to far-reaching and positive consequences for those facing the death penalty.
TRAINING
Amicus runs a comprehensive and internationally-recognised training programme, educating annually hundreds of UK lawyers and law students in a number of areas of US capital law, including, inter alia : capital defense law and procedure; legal research; evidence management; mitigation; and professional conduct.
We also provide bespoke training for our affiliate firms’ casework teams.
EVENTS & FUNDRAISING & STUDENT GROUPS
We hold both primarily awareness-raising events and fundraising events, which can range from lectures (often given by visiting capital defense law experts) to conferences, and from film screenings to yoga nights.
And, over the past few years we have developed a growing network of official Amicus student groups at universities across the UK, forming the foundation for the next generation of volunteers.
AMICUS JOURNAL & NEWSLETTER
We publish the leading capital punishment academic periodical, as well as a monthly topical newsletter.
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2024 Highlights
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Message from our Executive Director
The 12 months to 31 March 2024 (our financial year under review) During the year, we placed 13 volunteers in the presented challenges for many charities with funding squeezes and US in some of our 18 capital defense partner rising costs. Despite these pressures, Amicus continued to enjoy offices. We had two Kalisher bursaries granted support from many firms and individuals; we managed still to grow to Amicus volunteers who were pursuing a our programmes across all areas of our work. career at the bar; allowing those in financial need to participate in Amicus placements and We are hugely grateful for the physical office space and to benefit from the experience, as well as administrative support from Kingsley Napley LLP. Having this facility giving Amicus the benefit of a more diverse allowed our committed staff, and some volunteers, to remain volunteer demographic. Many other grant working in a hybrid work pattern. We also have expanded our makers have supported Amicus volunteers too; remote/virtual UK office volunteer programme. All of our volunteers with special thanks to the Inns of Court who benefit from structured training and education opportunities, and the have supported a number of individuals on flexible working model we offer means that some are able to work their placements. with us who would otherwise not be able to gain this experience.
Our partnerships with E-Discovery providers have been instrumental in processing the increasing volume of data in modern cases, saving months in work time. Diana Rescaldani, our Casework & Operations Manager, is leading the way in utilising this technology for capital cases, providing bespoke training and support for our cases within this platform for 100s of lawyers and volunteers. On behalf of the Charity, I spoke at the ‘Future Lawyers Conference’ this year on the impact of AI on charities such as Amicus, and the importance of support for charities in innovative technology.
Diana and I attended the ‘California Capital Defender Conference’ in Santa Clara, updating our best practice methodology, connecting with new speakers and presenters as well as having meetings with some of the US attorneys we work with.
Overall, during the year, we increased the level of support provided by our caseworkers for individual cases and for some key projects.
The Amicus Journal remains a leading reporter on the death penalty, with two editions published during the year, both in hard copy and online versions, which were well subscribed. The Journal’s editorial board has recruited leading UK civil rights barrister Leslie Thomas KC this year and seeks to expand again in the current financial year.
Finally, I should like to reiterate our thanks to all of our supporters for having made it possible for us to achieve so much in the year under review. Margot Ravenscroft, Executive Director
3
5 3
Casework
Affiliates & Student clinics
Our casework programme continues to expand. During the year to 31 March 2024, 25 affiliate corporate law firms and seven university student clinics worked on live cases and projects for Amicus, leading to many 1,000s of pro bono hours donated by these volunteers. Amicus-led projects now are embedded in many of these supportive firms’ individual pro bono programmes, both domestically and internationally.
Key metrics 2024
Number of affiliate law firms
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25
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Some key highlights for the year under review included: mass clemency petition work in Louisiana, working with numerous agencies; analysis work on a leading case challenging the application of Racial Justice Act law, with implications across the US; and involvement in two cases where the death penalty was removed.
Caseworkers on cases and projects 2
1,000+
Individual members
3 1,039
The casework programme is an essential component of our fight for justice on death row and Amicus is extremely grateful to all of our casework volunteers for making this programme so productive and successful.
Student clinics so [4 ] 7
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Separately, 14 active student groups across the UK put on numerous talks and events highlighting the key issues surrounding the death penalty as well as holding many fundraising events on Amicus’ behalf, for which also we are very grateful.
Academic studies
4
Fundraising
During the year, we held various panel and educational events as well as lighter fundraising events. We were delighted to be able to resume holding our annual Amicus Champions of Justice Awards event inperson, with a successful ceremony during a gala dinner at the Inner Temple in November 2023.
A key Amicus objective is to raise awareness of the issues surrounding the application of the death penalty in the US, and of our work. But, we also hold events which focus primarily on raising funds so as to enable us to continue our work. In the next year, we will focus on generating a wider audience for our events and we will be increasing our attention on grant-making organisations who support our aims.
Seeing the Bigger Picture Nitrogen Gas Inhalation: A series of movie showings Legal? Ethical? Torture? kindly hosted by eight of our Panel event with world experts generous affiliate firms
Royal Parks Champions of Justice Awards Half Marathon Gala Dinner Team Amicus venue: Inner Temple Hall running for justice
Amicus Film Shorts Drag Bingo Irish Film Institute, Dublin Some fundraisers with Scott Sunbury are pure fun!
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5
Education & Training
In addition to our regular panel of leading international experts in capital punishment, this financial year’s bi-annual training featured: in Autumn 2023, leading lawyers and investigators from the Florida Public Defenders Office: and, in Spring 2024, professors and capital attorneys from the University of Texas, Austin.
We are indebted to Clyde & Co LLP and to Linklaters LLP for generously hosting our two formal training programmes during the year, allowing Amicus to train over 200 delegates on key death penalty issues.
Alongside these two programmes, the Charity provided bespoke training (both online and in person) for new casework projects, and we continued with refresher training for casework teams where requested.
Key metrics 2024
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Bi-annual training delegates
200+
Bi-annual training income
£12,447
2
4
Teams provided with bespoke training 75+
Direct training costs £7,171
6
Financial review
|
2024 Key financials |
The financial statements for the year-ended 31 March 2024 show a deficit of £29,834 (2023: a surplus of £11,727).
Principal sources of cash-generative income
Income for the year of £343,190 was £124,459 more than that recorded in the prior year. This growth largely was attributable to an increase in the value of donated services and of fundraising activities, of £143,510 and £20,949 respectively, versus the prior year. These increases, however, were offset by: (i) a small year-on-year decline in donations (excluding affiliate donations, which increased slightly) and (ii) in training income together with (iii), the normalisation of Gift Aid income under the new accounting policy which had been implemented in the prior year.
How our cash was spent
Fundraising 6% Training 7% Other 7%
The increase in the value of donated services related to the services provided by a legal professional, who was seconded to the Charity during the year from an affiliate UK law firm on a no-cost basis. The estimated market value of these services was £143,420. The increase in fundraising income was attributable to the resumption of holding in person the Champions of Justice annual ceremony during the year. The Trustees view the decline in general donations (excluding affiliate donations) to be cyclical in nature, attributable specifically to the effects of elevated inflation in the UK economy during the current and prior years.
Fighting for justice on death row
80%
Reserves
Cash At 31 March 2024
£99,774
£88,417
Expenditure for the year of £373,024 was £166,100 more than that recorded in the prior year. £143,420 of this relates to accounting for the secondment referred to above. The delta of £22,680 largely is explained by: (i) an increase of £16,809 in the costs of fundraising, commensurate with the resumption of the in-person Champions of Justice event, and (ii) an increase in headcount for the year, which added approximately £24,000 to the payroll, partly offset by (iii) a reduction in travel and subsistence expenses and grants paid of £5,388 and £13,809 respectively.
Reserves policy
The Trustees’ policy for the unrestricted funds not committed or invested in tangible fixed assets held by the Charity (‘adjusted unrestricted reserves’) is that they should Running costs cover between three and six months’ running costs. Adjusted unrestricted reserves as at 31 March 2024 of £99,774 (2023: £128,875) amounted to six months’ running costs (2023: 10 months).
In the prior year, the Trustees had increased the staff headcount by one full-time equivalent, the cost of which brought unrestricted reserves into line with their stated policy. This role, which was specifically focused on event planning and fundraising, did not result in an expected increase in income from fundraising activities so they decided to remove this role, effective from the beginning of the following year. In light of the Charity’s increased workload, however, the Trustees have authorised additional days worked by two existing part-time roles such that they expect the Charity’s adjusted unrestricted reserves will continue to fall within the targeted range by March 2025.
Investments
The Trustees review the arrangements for holding funds on a periodic basis and adopt a cautious approach to investment, currently utilising an instant-access interest-bearing bank account for the deposit of funds surplus to one month’s running costs.
7
Structure, Governance & Management
Constitution & governing documents
Risk management
The Trustees have reviewed the major risks to which the Charity is exposed. Where appropriate, controls have been established to mitigate those risks.
The Charity is a charitable company limited by guarantee and was incorporated, and registered as a charity, on 9 March 1993, with charity registration number 1019651 and company registration number 02797826.
The Trustees are committed to a strategy of diversifying the Charity’s sources of funding as far as possible in order to ensure the Charity is not dependent on any one source in carrying out its activities.
- The Charity was established under a Memorandum of Association, which defines the objects and powers of the Charity, and is governed under its Articles of Association. In the event of the Charity being wound up, the Trustees would each be required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1.
Trustees
The Trustees of the Charity, who form the Management Committee, and who served during the year were:
Governing body
| Joanne Cross Claire Jenkins Keith Boak Claire Butler Mandeep Gill Hannah Gorman Maziar Jamnejad Seymour Lightman Rob Page Ruth Taylor |
Co-Chair Co-Chair Trustee (appointed 30 June 2023) Trustee (appointed 19 December 2023) Trustee & Company Secretary (appointed 19 December 2023) Trustee Trustee (resigned 20 June 2023) Trustee & Treasurer Trustee & Company Secretary (resigned 31 March 2024) Trustee (appointed 30 June 2023) |
|---|---|
Members of the Management Committee, who are directors for the purpose of company law and trustees for the purpose of charity law, who served during the year and up to the date of this report are set out in the table to the right.
Trustee recruitment & induction
The Management Committee is responsible for the strategic direction and policy of the Charity and meets at least quarterly.
- In accordance with the requirements of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the members of the Management Committee (‘Trustees’) are required to retire from office at each Annual General Meeting and are eligible for re-election.
Applications for potential Trustees are obtained, inter alia , by placing adverts in relevant media, from which a shortlist is drawn up. Applicants are appointed after a rigorous interview process. When appointed, new members are given an induction to the Charity (i) by the Executive Director regarding the operational running of the Charity and (ii) by a Trustee or by the Company Secretary regarding their legal duties and responsibilities. New members also sign a contract outlining their responsibilities and their commitment to abide by the Trustees Code of Conduct.
Delegation of day-to-day management
Day-to-day management of the Charity was delegated to the Executive Director, Margot Ravenscroft.
Patrons
Running costs Dr Jan Arriens, Founder, Lifelines Jane Officer, Founder, Amicus
| Patrons | |
|---|---|
| Running costs Dr Jan Arriens, Founder, Lifelines Jane Officer, Founder, Amicus Dr Jan Arriens, Founder, Lifelines Jane Officer, Founder, Amicus |
Dr Jan Arriens, Founder, Lifelines Jane Officer, Founder, Amicus |
| Rt Hon. Alistair Carmichael MP | Sister Helen Prejean |
| Peter Carter KC | Wilbert Rideau |
| Richard Dieter | David Rowntree |
| Sophie Garner | Sir Mark Rylance |
| Sunny Jacobs | Susan Sarandon |
| Claire van Kampen | Baroness Stern CBE |
| Prof. Julian Killingley | Nick Trenticosta |
| Prof. Robin Maher |
Public benefit
The Trustees review the Charity’s aims, objectives and activities periodically so as to ensure they remain focused on the Charity’s charitable objects.
The Trustees have had due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission when reviewing the Charity’s aims and objectives and in planning future activities.
Sunny Jacobs , Patron & Death Row Exoneree
Jane Officer , Patron & Founder
8
Administrative information
Registered office
1 York Mansions
215 Earls Court Road
London SW5 9AF
Operating address
The Old Game Centre Petersfield Road Liss Hampshire GU3 6AA
Independent Examiner
Charles Ssempijja FCA NfP Accountants Ltd 3rd Floor
86-90 Paul Street London EC2A 4NE
Bankers
CAF Bank Limited 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ
Website: www.amicus-alj.org email: admin@amicus-alj.org
9
Responsibilities of the Trustees
Company and charity law requires the Trustees (directors) to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity as at the balance sheet date and of its incoming resources and expenditures occurred for the financial year. In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees (directors) are required to:
-
select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether the applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis.
The Trustees (directors) have overall responsibility for ensuring that the Charity has an appropriate system of controls, financial and otherwise. They are also responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence of taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approval
In preparing this report, the Trustees have taken advantage of the small companies exemptions provided by section 415A of the Companies Act 2006. This report was approved by the Trustees on 18 December 2024.
Claire Jenkins , Chair
Seymour Lightman , Treasurer
10
Independent examiner’s report
I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024, which are set out on pages 12 to 21.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act')
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the company are not required to be audited under part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your company's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
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the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
20 December 2024 ~~me~~
Charles Ssempijja FCA
NfP Accountants Ltd
3rd Floor
86-90 Paul Street
London
EC2A 4NE
11
Statement of financial activities (including income and expenditure account) For the year-ended 31 March 2024
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | |||
| £ | Notes | funds | funds | funds | funds | funds | funds | |
| Income: | ||||||||
| Donatons | 2 | 288,817 | 956 | 289,773 | 166,366 | 999 | 167,365 | |
| Grant income | 3 | 1,000 | 5,000 | 6,000 | 4,000 | 20,000 | 24,000 | |
| Charitable actvites | 4 | 45,931 | - | 45,931 | 25,781 | - | 25,781 | |
| Investment income | 5 | 1,517 | - | 1,517 | 182 | - | 182 | |
| Other | 6 | (4) | (27) | (31) | 1,188 | 125 | 1,313 | |
| Total | 337,261 | 5,929 | 343,190 | 197,517 | 21,124 | 218,641 | ||
| Expenditure: | ||||||||
| Fundraising | 7 | (26,646) | - | (26,646) | (9,837) | - | (9,837) | |
| Grants made | - | (6,191) | (6,191) | - | (20,000) | (20,000) | ||
| Other charitable actvites | 7 | (340,138) | (49) | (340,187) | (176,982) | (95) | (177,077) | |
| Total | (366,784) | (6,240) | (373,024) | (186,819) | (20,095) | (206,914) | ||
| (Defcit)/surplus for the period | (29,523) | (311) | (29,834) | 10,698 | 1,029 | 11,727 | ||
| Funds brought forward | 129,964 | 1,079 | 131,043 | 119,266 | 50 | 119,316 | ||
| Funds carried forward | 100,441 | 768 | 101,209 | 129,964 | 1,079 | 131,043 | ||
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised during the year.
All income and expenditure derived from continuing activities.
12
Company registration number: 02797826
Balance sheet
At 31 March 2024
| £ | Notes | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed assets | |||
| Tangible fixed assets | 11 | 667 | 1,089 |
| Current assets | |||
| Debtors | 12 | 13,733 | 15,625 |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 88,417 | 116,946 | |
| 102,150 | 132,571 | ||
| Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | 13 | (1,608) | (2,617) |
| Net current assets | 100,542 | 129,954 | |
| Net assets | 101,209 | 131,043 | |
| Represented by: | |||
| Funds | 15 | ||
| Unrestricted | 100,441 | 129,964 | |
| Restricted | 768 | 1,079 | |
| Total funds | 101,209 | 131,043 |
The Trustees consider that the company is entitled to exemption from the requirement for an audit under the provisions of section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the Act’) and members have not required the company to obtain an audit for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of the Act.
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees on 19 December 2024 and signed on their behalf by:
Claire Jenkins , Chair
Seymour Lightman , Treasurer
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Notes to the financial statements
1. Basis of preparation and principal accounting policies
(a) Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (‘FRS 102’) and the Companies Act 2006.
The Andrew Lee Jones Fund Limited meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.
(b) Preparation of the financial statements on a going concern basis
At the time of approving the financial statements, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate cash resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Therefore, these financial statements have been prepared on the basis that the Charity continues to be a going concern.
(c) Incoming resources
All income received by the Charity is available for its general purposes, unless otherwise stated. Income is included in full in the statement of financial activities when any performance conditions attached to the item of income have been met, it is probably that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Income from charitable donations is recognised when received or when invoiced pursuant to a pledge agreement.
Member subscriptions are treated as gifts and recognised as received.
Grant income is recognised when the conditions for receipt have been complied with.
Income from running training sessions and seminars is recognised when the service has been provided.
Gift Aid is recognised when receivable, that is, when appropriate authorisation has been received by a donor to make a claim from HMRC.
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the Charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the Bank.
(d) Income related to donated services and
facilities
Donated services and facilities are recognised as they are consumed at an amount that the Charity would pay in the open market for them.
The Trustees and the volunteers assisting the Charity provide all of their services free of charge without receiving any benefit. The monetary value of these services has not been included in the financial statements in accordance with the SORP.
(e) Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the Charity.
Restricted funds are subject to restrictions imposed by donors on how the funds can be spent.
(f) Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is more likely than not that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings:
- Costs of raising funds
- Expenditure on charitable activities
These comprise the costs of running training sessions and seminars, producing the Charity’s Journal and other materials used to promote the Charity and to educate people on capital punishment issues.
Irrecoverable VAT is charged to the relevant expenditure account when it is incurred.
Grants made under the volunteer placement programme are recognised as expenditure when an award has been confirmed and any conditions set out in the grant agreement have been met.
Donated facilities and services are expensed as consumed at an amount equivalent to the income recognised (see 1(d) ).
(g) Tangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of tangible fixed assets on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful economic lives as follows:
Asset category Useful life Computer equipment 4 years
(h) Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
(i) Creditors and provisions
Creditors and provisions are recognised when the Charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will more likely than not result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably.
Creditors and provisions are recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.
(j) Pensions
The Charity contributes to a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions are charged to the statement of financial activities in the year to which they relate.
(k) Financial instruments
The Charity has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments.
Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.
(l) Judgements
Amounts received from affiliate law firms and universities are deemed to be donations rather than income derived from exchange transactions. The Trustees believe this method of income recognition best reflects the nature of the relationship that exists between the Charity and its affiliates. Although affiliates do receive access to the Charity’s casework, the Trustees’ judgement is that the value of this access is not reciprocal to the value that the Charity receives from its affiliates in donations.
These comprise the costs of running promotional events designed to raise awareness and funds.
14
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
1. Basis of preparation and principal accounting policies (continued)
(l) Judgements (continued)
The Trustees do not consider pro bono services provided by affiliate law firms on active cases to be income on the basis that these services provide benefit directly to the Charity’s beneficiaries and their legal representatives in the US.
(m) Key sources of estimation uncertainty
There are no sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting period-end date that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next reporting period.
15
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
2. Income from donations
| 2. Income from donatons | |
|---|---|
| £ | 2024 2023 Total Unrestricted Restricted Total |
| Membership fees General donatons1 Donated facilites Donated services Gif aid |
18,755 109,834 4,800 20,052 13,924 16,852 99,170 5,000 163,562 5,189 - 956 - - - 16,852 98,214 5,000 163,562 5,189 |
| 167,365 289,773 956 288,817 |
1 Includes donations from affiliates of £70,100 (2023: £68,000).
Restricted donations relate to donations that are restricted to the sole purpose of relieving the hardship of a former death row inmate.
3. Income from grants
| £ Kalisher Trust |
2024 Total Unrestricted Restricted Total 2023 |
|---|---|
| 1,000 5,000 6,000 24,000 |
4. Income from charitable activities
| £ | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Promotonal events | 30,281 | 9,332 |
| Book and merchandise sales | 2,945 | 321 |
| Journal | 258 | 609 |
| Seminars and training | 12,447 | 15,519 |
| 45,931 | 25,781 |
5. Investment income
| £ | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Bank interest | 1,517 | 182 |
| 1,517 | 182 |
|
All of the Charity’s investment income derives from money held in an interest-bearing deposit account.
16
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
6. Other income
| £ | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign exchange (losses)/gains atributable to USD-denominated income1 | (31) | 185 |
| Other2 | - | 1,128 |
| (31) | 1,313 |
1 Of which, a loss of £27 (2023: a gain of £125) related to restricted donations.
2 Includes £528 relating to the correction of a bank account balance at the prior year-end. The bank account to which this balance relates was closed by the custodian bank without notice or due process in November 2021. The funds in this bank account were returned to the Charity after the year-end (please see note 17 for details).
7. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities
| £ | 2024 Direct Apportoned Total |
2023 Direct Apportoned Total |
|---|---|---|
| 26,646 3,553 9,845 26,749 300,040 9,789 1,958 7,831 19,578 300,040 16,857 1,595 2,014 7,171 - Fundraising Other charitable actvites: Book and merchandise sales Journal producton Training and seminars Fightng for justce on death row |
26,646 9,789 16,857 |
9,837 8,973 864 |
| 2,352 8,822 22,348 143,555 1,794 7,178 17,944 143,555 558 1,644 4,404 - |
||
| 340,187 329,407 10,780 |
177,077 170,471 6,606 |
Support costs have been apportioned to the Charity’s charitable activities. Please see note 8 for further details.
17
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
8. Support costs
Support costs have been apportioned to the Charity’s charitable activities on the basis of time spent by staff on those activities, except for the estimated market value of the services provided during the year by a legal professional who was seconded to the Charity from an affiliate UK law firm on a no-cost basis, which has been allocated in full to the ‘Fight for justice on death row’ charitable activity.
| £ | 24,000 2024 |
2023 |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ~~20,000~~ | ||||
| Staf costs (see note 9) | Unrestricted 4,000 |
Restricted | 162,852 | 139,478 |
| Ofce supplies | 299 | 35 | ||
| Bank charges | 733 | 836 | ||
| Depreciaton | 422 | 422 | ||
| Governance (independent examiner’s fee) | 720 | 720 | ||
| Travel and subsistence | 2,848 | 8,236 | ||
| Donated facilites and services1 | 168,562 | 24,852 | ||
| Bad debt expense | 180 | 3,000 | ||
| Insurance | 894 | 664 | ||
| Digital applicatons | 1,686 | 1,201 | ||
| 339,196 | 179,444 | |||
| 1Including £143,420 (2023: £nil) relatng to the seconded member of staf referred to above. | ||||
| Apportoned as follows: | ||||
| £ | 2024 | 2023 | ||
| Fundraising | 9,789 | 8,973 | ||
| Other charitable actvites: | ||||
| Book and merchandise sales | 1,958 | 1,794 | ||
| Journal producton | 7,831 | 7,178 | ||
| Training and seminars | 19,578 | 17,944 | ||
| Fightng for justce on death row | 300,040 | 143,555 | ||
| 329,407 | 170,471 | |||
| 339,196 | 179,444 | |||
18
[Notes to the financial statements (continued) ]
9. Staff costs
| 9. Staf costs | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | 20,000 | 2024 | 2023 | |
| 4,000 | ||||
| Wages and salaries | 150,128 | 128,373 | ||
| Employer’s natonal insurance | 9,909 | 8,836 | ||
| Pension costs | 2,815 | 2,719 | ||
| 162,852 | 139,478 |
No employees had employee benefits in excess of £60,000 in either period presented.
The average monthly headcount was 6 employees (2023: 5). The average monthly number of full-time equivalent employees during the year was 4 employees (2023: 3).
The key management personnel of the Charity comprised the Trustees and Executive Director. The total employee benefits received by the Executive Director were £57,119 (2023: £59,821). The Trustees did not receive any employee benefits in either period presented.
10. Taxation
The Charity is a registered charity and as such is entitled to certain tax exemptions on income from investments and surpluses on any trading activities carried on in the furtherance of the Charity’s primary objectives.
11. Tangible fixed assets
| 11. Tangible fxed assets | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer | |||
| £ | 2024 | equipment | |
| Cost: | 8,973 | ||
| At 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024 | 2,374 | ||
| Depreciaton: | 1,794 | ||
| As at 1 April 2023 | 7,178 | 1,285 | |
| Charge for the year | 17,944 | 422 | |
| As at 31 March 2024 | 143,555 | 1,707 | |
| Net book value: | 25,781 170,471 |
||
| At 1 April 2023 | 179,444 | 1,511 | |
| At 31 March 2024 | 667 |
12. Debtors
| 12. Debtors | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | 2024 | 2023 | |
| Income receivable from afliates | Restricted | 8,650 | 8,771 |
| Gif Aid receivable on eligible donatons | Unrestricted | 4,860 | 6,628 |
| Prepayments | 223 | 226 | |
| 13,733 | 15,625 | ||
19
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
13. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
| £ | 4,000 | 20,000 | 24,000 2024 |
2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other creditors | Unrestricted | Restricted | 888 | 883 |
| Accruals | 720 | 1,734 | ||
| 1,608 | 2,617 |
14. Related party transactions
The Trustees and the Executive Director are deemed to be related parties of the Charity.
The Charity’s Trustees did not receive any employee benefits in either of the reporting periods presented. Expenses totalling £1,237 (2023: £nil) were incurred by, and reimbursed to, three Trustees during the year. These expenses primarily related to travel costs incurred in the performance of the Trustees’ duties, mainly the unpaid provision of training to volunteers on behalf of the Charity, alongside the repayment of items sourced cost-effectively on behalf of Amicus in order to generate funds for the Charity. The employee benefits received by the Executive Director are disclosed in note 9.
15. Analysis of charitable funds
| Balance at | Balance at | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | 1 | April 2023 | Income | 2024 Expenditure |
31 March 2024 | |
| Unrestricted funds | Unrestricted 129,964 |
Restricted 337,261 |
(366,784) | 100,441 | ||
| Restricted funds | 1,079 | 5,929 | (6,240) | 768 | ||
| 131,043 | 343,190 | (373,024) | 101,209 | |||
| Balance at | Balance at | |||||
| £ | 1 | April 2022 | Income | Expenditure | 31 March 2023 | |
| Unrestricted funds | 119,266 | Restricted 197,517 |
(186,819) | 129,964 | ||
| Restricted funds | Unre- | 50 | 21,124 | 25,781 (20,095) |
1,079 | |
| 119,316 | 218,641 | (206,914) | 131,043 |
16. Analysis of net assets between funds
| Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | Unrestricted funds | Restricted funds | 2024 | |
| Tangible fxed assets | Unrestricted | Restricted 667 |
- | 667 |
| Net current assets | 99,774 | 768 | 100,542 | |
| Net assets | 100,441 | 768 | 101,209 | |
| Total | ||||
| £ | Unrestricted funds | Restricted funds | 2023 | |
| Tangible fxed assets | Unrestricted | Restricted 1,089 |
- | 1,089 |
| Net current assets | 128,875 | 1,079 | 129,954 | |
| Net assets | 129,964 | 1,079 | 131,043 |
20
[Notes to the financial statements (continued) ]
17. Events occurring after the reporting period
On 10 October 2024, the Charity recovered £4,691 from a bank that had closed one of the Charity’s bank accounts without notice or due process in November 2021. The Charity believes it has a claim for interest foregone over the period during which it was unable to access these funds (despite multiple attempts to so do) and is working with the bank to ensure this matter is satisfactorily resolved.
In addition, the Charity notes that the same bank still owes the Charity a further $744 held in a USD bank account, which also was closed without notice or due process in November 2021. The Charity has informed the Charity Commission of the situation.
21
Company registration number: 02797826
Fighting for justice on death row
Website: www.amicus-alj.org email: admin@amicus-alj.org
Charity number: 1019651 Company number: 02797826