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2023-12-31-accounts

COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 5307802 CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1113462

The UK Centre for Animal Law Limited Company Limited by Guarantee Financial Statements

31 December 2023

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS LLP

Chartered Accountants Emstrey House North Shrewsbury Business Park Shrewsbury Shropshire SY2 6LG

The UK Centre for Animal Law Limited

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)

Year ended 31 December 2023

The trustees, who are also the directors for the purposes of company law, present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Reference and administrative details

The UK Centre for Animal Law Limited

Registered charity name Charity registration number 1113462 Company registration number 5307802 Principal office and registered Emstrey House North office Shrewsbury Business Park Shrewsbury Shropshire SY2 6LG The trustees Mr A T Bates Mr J Chipperfield Mr S Cox Mrs P Sparks Ms J Williams Mr M J Radford Ms N Harney Mrs B Koenig Ms S Badiani-Hamment Independent examiner Jonathon Dale BA(Hons) FCA Independent Auditors LLP Emstrey House North Shrewsbury Business Park Shrewsbury Shropshire SY2 6LG

Structure, governance and management

The UK Centre for Animal Law Limited is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales, company number 5307802 and a registered charity, charity number 1113462. The organisation was incorporated on 8 December 2004 and was registered as a charity on 28 March 2006.

The charity is governed by its trustees.

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The UK Centre for Animal Law Limited

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)

Year ended 31 December 2023

Objectives and activities

The charity's objects are to promote humane behaviour towards animals, to prevent cruelty and suffering among animals, to advance the education of the public in the law relating to animals and to relieve the suffering and distress of animals by providing advice and information to the public.

The principal activities undertaken to achieve these objects were, as with previous years, the publication of the Journal of Animal Welfare Law, the holding of seminars on aspects of animal welfare law, the maintenance of a website and the provision of advice and information to the public and other voluntary groups.

We have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our aims and objectives and in planning our future activities and consider that we have complied with our duty to have due regard to the guidance published by the Charity Commission.

Achievements and performance

The UK Centre for Animal Law (A-Law) advances education in, public knowledge about, and effective application of, the law relating to animal protection, including both national and international law. We respond to government consultations, publish briefing papers about the law and act as a hub for legal volunteers who are willing to provide pro bono legal help, working towards animal welfare protection laws that are strong, effective, enforceable and also enforced.

We also publish a range of animal law educational materials such as the Journal of Animal Law and we have launched a YouTube channel, 'Animal Law TV' which features a range of videos on aspects of animal law and ethics. The YouTube channel includes video content from our webinar series, enabling A-Law to reach a wider audience. We have also set up working groups in the areas of wildlife, animal experiments, farming and companion animals, which has increased capacity. In recent years we have also launched an animal law podcast, re-structured and updated the website and created a digital news platform about animal law.

A-Law also continues to provide student resources and opportunities for undergraduate and postgraduate students to learn about and engage with the law relating to animals and to participate in competitions, such as essay writing.

Financial review

The charity made a surplus for the year ended 31 December 2023 amounting to £19,925. As at 31 December 2023 the net assets of the charity amounted to £78,122. The trustees consider the financial position and performance of the charitable company to be satisfactory.

Plans for future periods

The UK Centre for Animal Law Limited will continue to develop its animal legal advocacy and legal strategies, informing debates about animal protection laws and strengthening its capacity to work with lawyers wanting to provide pro bono help and support to the animal protection community.

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The UK Centre for Animal Law Limited

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)

Year ended 31 December 2023

Small company provisions

This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to the small companies exemption.

The trustees' annual report was approved on .............................. and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:

Mrs P Sparks Trustee

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The UK Centre for Animal Law Limited

Company Limited by Guarantee

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of The UK Centre for Animal Law Limited

Year ended 31 December 2023

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of The UK Centre for Animal Law Limited ('the charity') for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements 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 the charity’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:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

  2. the financial statements do not accord with those records; or

  3. the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

  4. the financial statements 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.

Jonathon Dale BA(Hons) FCA Independent Examiner

Independent Auditors LLP Emstrey House North Shrewsbury Business Park Shrewsbury Shropshire SY2 6LG

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The UK Centre for Animal Law Limited

Company Limited by Guarantee

Statement of Financial Activities (including income and expenditure account)

Year ended 31 December 2023

2023 2022
Unrestricted Restricted
funds funds Total funds Total funds
Note £ £ £ £
Income and endowments
Donations and legacies 5 42,313 42,313 30,946
Investment income 6 131 131
---------------------------- -------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
Total income 42,444 42,444 30,946
============================ ============== ============================ ============================
Expenditure
Expenditure on raising funds:
Costs of raising donations and
legacies 7 2,158 2,158 5,565
Expenditure on charitable activities 8,9 15,361 5,000 20,361 32,040
---------------------------- ----------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
Total expenditure 17,519 5,000 22,519 37,605
============================ ======================= ============================ ============================
---------------------------- ----------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
Net income/(expenditure) and net
movement in funds 24,925 (5,000) 19,925 (6,659)
============================ ======================= ============================ ============================
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward 52,378 5,819 58,197 64,856
---------------------------- ----------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
Total funds carried forward 77,303 819 78,122 58,197
============================ ======================= ============================ ============================

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The notes on pages 7 to 14 form part of these financial statements.

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The UK Centre for Animal Law Limited

Company Limited by Guarantee

Statement of Financial Position

31 December 2023

2023 2022
Note £ £ £
Fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets 14 215 321
Current assets
Debtors 15 4,188 5,986
Cash at bank and in hand 80,056 58,609
---------------------------- ----------------------------
84,244 64,595
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 16 6,337 6,719
---------------------------- ----------------------------
Net current assets 77,907 57,876
---------------------------- ----------------------------
Total assets less current liabilities 78,122 58,197
---------------------------- ----------------------------
Net assets 78,122 58,197
============================ ============================
Funds of the charity
Restricted funds 819 5,819
Unrestricted funds 77,303 52,378
---------------------------- ----------------------------
Total charity funds 19 78,122 58,197
============================ ============================

For the year ending 31 December 2023 the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Directors' responsibilities:

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime.

These financial statements were approved by the board of trustees and authorised for issue on 30 October 2023, and are signed on behalf of the board by:

Mrs P Sparks Trustee

The notes on pages 7 to 14 form part of these financial statements.

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The UK Centre for Animal Law Limited

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the Financial Statements

Year ended 31 December 2023

1. General information

The charity is a public benefit entity and a private company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales and a registered charity in England and Wales. The address of the registered office is Emstrey House North, Shrewsbury Business Park, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY2 6LG.

2. Statement of compliance

These financial statements have been prepared in compliance with FRS 102, 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland', the 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) (Charities SORP (FRS 102)) and the Companies Act 2006.

3. Accounting policies

Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, as modified by the revaluation of certain financial assets and liabilities and investment properties measured at fair value through income or expenditure.

The financial statements are presented in sterling which is the functional currency of the company and rounded to the nearest £.

Going concern

There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue.

Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. These estimates and judgements are continually reviewed and are based on experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees to further any of the charity's purposes.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular future project or

commitment.

Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure declared by the donor or through the terms of an appeal, and fall into one of two sub-classes: restricted income funds or endowment funds.

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The UK Centre for Animal Law Limited

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 December 2023

3. Accounting policies (continued)

Incoming resources

All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when entitlement has passed to the charity; it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the charity and the amount can be reliably measured. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:

Resources expended

Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is classified under headings of the statement of financial activities to which it relates:

All costs are allocated to expenditure categories reflecting the use of the resource. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs are apportioned between the activities they contribute to on a reasonable, justifiable and consistent basis.

Tangible assets

Tangible assets are initially recorded at cost, and subsequently stated at cost less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. Any tangible assets carried at revalued amounts are recorded at the fair value at the date of revaluation less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.

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The UK Centre for Animal Law Limited

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 December 2023

3. Accounting policies (continued)

Tangible assets (continued)

An increase in the carrying amount of an asset as a result of a revaluation, is recognised in other recognised gains and losses, unless it reverses a charge for impairment that has previously been recognised as expenditure within the statement of financial activities. A decrease in the carrying amount of an asset as a result of revaluation, is recognised in other recognised gains and losses, except to which it offsets any previous revaluation gain, in which case the loss is shown within other recognised gains and losses on the statement of financial activities.

Depreciation

Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost or valuation of an asset, less its residual value, over the useful economic life of that asset as follows:

Computer equipment - 33% straight line

Impairment of fixed assets

A review for indicators of impairment is carried out at each reporting date, with the recoverable amount being estimated where such indicators exist. Where the carrying value exceeds the recoverable amount, the asset is impaired accordingly. Prior impairments are also reviewed for possible reversal at each reporting date.

For the purposes of impairment testing, when it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, an estimate is made of the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. The cash-generating unit is the smallest identifiable group of assets that includes the asset and generates cash inflows that largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets.

For impairment testing of goodwill, the goodwill acquired in a business combination is, from the acquisition date, allocated to each of the cash-generating units that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination, irrespective of whether other assets or liabilities of the charity are assigned to those units.

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The UK Centre for Animal Law Limited

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 December 2023

3. Accounting policies (continued)

Financial instruments

The company has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 'Basic Financial Instruments' and Section 12 'Other Financial Instruments Issues' of FRS102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the company's balance sheet when the company becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, which the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangement entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the company after deducting all of its liabilities.

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors, bank loans, loans from fellow group companies and preference shares that are classified as debt, are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payment discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Defined contribution plans

Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised as an expense in the period in which the related service is provided. Prepaid contributions are recognised as an asset to the extent that the prepayment will lead to a reduction in future payments or a cash refund.

When contributions are not expected to be settled wholly within 12 months of the end of the reporting date in which the employees render the related service, the liability is measured on a discounted present value basis. The unwinding of the discount is recognised as an expense in the period in which it arises.

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The UK Centre for Animal Law Limited

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 December 2023

4. Limited by guarantee

The charity is a company limited by guarantee. In the event of winding up each member agrees to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 to the charity's assets.

5. Donations and legacies

Unrestricted Total Funds Unrestricted Total Funds
Funds 2023 Funds 2022
£ £ £ £
Donations
Subscription income 5,247 5,247 7,886 7,886
Donations received 11,787 11,787 4,249 4,249
Article and report income 2,000 2,000 5,230 5,230
Seminar and conference income 3,279 3,279 13,581 13,581
Grants
Lush 20,000 20,000
---------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
42,313 42,313 30,946 30,946
============================ ============================ ============================ ============================
6. Investment income
Unrestricted Total Funds Unrestricted Total Funds
Funds 2023 Funds 2022
£ £ £ £
Other interest receivable 131 131
============== ============== ============== ==============
7. Costs of raising donations and legacies
Unrestricted Total Funds Unrestricted Total Funds
Funds 2023 Funds 2022
£ £ £ £
Seminar costs 2,158 2,158 5,565 5,565
======================= ======================= ======================= =======================
8. Expenditure on charitable activities by fund type
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2023
£ £ £
Support costs 15,361 5,000 20,361
============================ ======================= ============================
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2022
£ £ £
Support costs 27,859 4,181 32,040
============================ ======================= ============================

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The UK Centre for Animal Law Limited

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 December 2023

9. Expenditure on charitable activities by activity type

Support Support Total funds Total fund
costs 2023 2022
£ £ £
Governance costs 20,361 20,361 32,040
============================ ============================ ============================
10. Net income/(expenditure)
Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):
2023 2022
£ £
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets 106 158
============== ==============
11. Independent examination fees
2023 2022
£ £
Fees payable to the independent examiner for:
Independent examination of the financial statements 1,200 1,428
======================= =======================
12. Staff costs
The total staff costs and employee benefits for the reporting period are analysed as follows:
2023 2022
£ £
Wages and salaries 8,424 17,742
Employer contributions to pension plans 64 342
----------------------- ----------------------------
8,488 18,084
======================= ============================
The average head count of employees during the year was 1 (2022: 1). The average number of
full-time equivalent employees during the year is analysed as follows:
2023 2022
No. No.
Support staff 1 1
============== ==============

No employee received employee benefits of more than £60,000 during the year (2022: Nil).

13. Trustee remuneration and expenses

No remuneration or other benefits from employment with the charity or a related entity were received by the trustees.

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The UK Centre for Animal Law Limited

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 December 2023

14. Tangible fixed assets

Equipment Total
£ £
Cost
At 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2023 493 493
============== ==============
Depreciation
At 1 January 2023 172 172
Charge for the year 106 106
-------------- --------------
At 31 December 2023 278 278
============== ==============
Carrying amount
At 31 December 2023 215 215
============== ==============
At 31 December 2022 321 321
============== ==============
15. Debtors
2023 2022
£ £
Prepayments and accrued income 311 654
Other debtors 3,877 5,332
----------------------- -----------------------
4,188 5,986
======================= =======================
16. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2023 2022
£ £
Accruals and deferred income 6,337 6,719
======================= =======================
17. Deferred income
2023 2022
£ £
Amount deferred in year 3,877 300
======================= ==============

18. Pensions and other post retirement benefits

Defined contribution plans

The amount recognised in income or expenditure as an expense in relation to defined contribution plans was £64 (2022: £342).

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The UK Centre for Animal Law Limited

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 December 2023

19. Analysis of charitable funds

Unrestricted funds

Unrestricted funds
At 31
At 1 January December
2023
Income
Expenditure 2023
£ £ £ £
General funds 52,378
42,443
(17,519)
77,302
============================ ============================ ============================ ============================
At 31
At 1 January December
2022
Income
Expenditure 2022
£ £ £ £
General funds 54,856
30,946
(33,424)
52,378
============================ ============================ ============================ ============================
Restricted funds
At 31
At 1 January December
2023
Income
Expenditure 2023
£ £ £ £
Lush Fund 5,819
(5,000)
819
======================= ============== ======================= ==============
At 31
At 1 January December
2022
Income
Expenditure 2022
£ £ £ £
Lush Fund 10,000
(4,181)
5,819
============================ ============== ======================= =======================
Analysis of net assets between funds
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2023
£ £ £
Tangible fixed assets 215 215
Current assets 83,425 819 84,244
Creditors less than 1 year (6,337) (6,337)
---------------------------- -------------- ----------------------------
Net assets 77,303 819 78,122
============================ ============== ============================
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2022
£ £ £
Tangible fixed assets 321 321
Current assets 58,776 5,819 64,595
Creditors less than 1 year (6,719) (6,719)
---------------------------- ----------------------- ----------------------------
Net assets 52,378 5,819 58,197
============================ ======================= ============================

20. Analysis of net assets between funds

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The UK Centre for Animal Law Limited

Company Limited by Guarantee

Management Information

Year ended 31 December 2023

The following pages do not form part of the financial statements.

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The UK Centre for Animal Law Limited

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the Detailed Statement of Financial Activities

Year ended 31 December 2023

2023 2022
£ £
Income and endowments
Donations and legacies
Subscription income 5,247 7,886
Donations received 11,787 4,249
Article and report income 2,000 5,230
Seminar and conference income 3,279 13,581
Lush 20,000
---------------------------- ----------------------------
42,313 30,946
---------------------------- ----------------------------
Investment income
Other interest receivable 131
-------------- --------------
---------------------------- ----------------------------
Total income 42,444 30,946
============================ ============================
Expenditure
Costs of raising donations and legacies
Seminar and conference costs 2,158 5,565
---------------------------- ----------------------------
Expenditure on charitable activities
Governance costs
Wages and salaries 8,424 17,742
Pension costs 65 342
Accountancy fees 1,260 1,428
Legal and other professional fees 6,000 8,927
Bank charges 143 230
Web costs 1,839 1,709
Depreciation 106 158
Sundry expenses 677 1,075
Advertising and podcast costs 1,847 429
---------------------------- ----------------------------
20,361 32,040
---------------------------- ----------------------------
---------------------------- ----------------------------
Total expenditure 22,519 37,605
============================ ============================
---------------------------- ----------------------------
Net income/(expenditure) 19,925 (6,659)
============================ ============================

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