efjcanolfan Gyfraith Speakeasy GJLaw Centre South Wales Law Centre Ltd t/a "Speakeasy Law Centre" Annual Report and Accounts For the Year to 31 March 2024 Contents Charity Infom)ation Report of the TTUSt¢es Report of the Independent Examiner Statement of Financial A¢livities Balan¢e Sheet 10 Notes to the Aecounts South Wales Law Cenire- Annual Report for the Year to 31 March 2024 Charity Information Clwity Name: South Wales Law Centre Lid Working Names.. Speakeasy Law Cenlre Registered Numbers: Company Number.. Charity Number.. 7550894 1140949 Registered Office: 166 Richmond Road Cardiff CF24 3BX Website address.. www.speake0sy.¢ymru Trustees.. Norman Adams Paul Francis John Loosemore Nkini Pulei Steve Williams David Horton R¢b¢¢¢a Jane Matyus Christina Kio-Bennett Madeline Rees (resigned 16th June 2023) Centre DiTector'. Warren Palmer Independent Examiner.. Steve Ellum Steve Ellum & Associates Ltd Chdrtertd Accountants Adulum House Glan YT Afon Llanelli SA15 3QB Bankers.. The Co-operative Bank plc PO Box 250 Delf House South Way Sk¢lm¢rsdale WN8 6WT Metro Bank One Southampton Row London WCIB SHA South Wales Law Centre-Annual Report for the Year 10 31 Mar¢h 2024 Report of the Trustees (incorporating the directors, report) For the Year to 31 March 2024 The trustees present their report and the independently examined financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024. which ar¢ also prepared to meet tl)e requiTemenis for a directors. report and accounts for Companies A¢1 purposes. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORPI '"Ac¢ounting and Reporting by Charities" Objectives and attivities As loidouf in ils governing documeni ihe charily exEJlsfor The promotion of any chariiable purpose for th¢ benefit of the community of South Wales by th¢ advancetnent of education, the protection of health and the relief of poverty, sickne55 and distress. The Speakeasy Law Centre hès provided free legal advice for more than 30 y¢ars to some of the most vulnerable people within the eommuniiy. We are currently the only Law Cenire in Wales. We are unique in Wale5 in being tlie only not-for-PTofit abyen¢y that employs solicitors for each of tkbt, Housing. Welfare Benefits and Employmeni problems. We are also the only not-for-profit organisation in Wales that regularly provides training contracts for solicitors. Our main activities iii¢liide-. Delivering free, high quality. leLTdl advice aiid representation; Acting 01) beh£l11 of client% and dealiiig with Ilieir creditors. lielping tliem to manage their finances betier and releasing them from debt. Advising on ￿rtefIt entitlement and Challenging decisioits of the DWP where these appear ilico￿eet or unfair, often taking ¢omplex cases to Tribunal: Assisting clienis faced wirh homelessness, disrepair or other housing problems. Advising on employm¢nt rights and drafting dociiments for Einployment Tribunal claim5. South Wales Law Cenire- Annua] Report for the Year lo 31 March 2024 Achievements and Performanee Helping tbose in financial need Our goal is to provide early, easily accessible advice within our local communities. Clients can contact us at our main office in Roath, which is highly visibl¢ and on th¢ main bus routes in the east of the city, and in outreach ¢linics al community venues. We regularly go to where clients are, so those who would not otherwise know about u% can find us al Glenwood Food Pantry, at Oasis in Splott. or at the St Vincent de Paul Centre in Ely Bridge. Clients can contact us by phone, email, through our website, by attending our offi¢e, outrea¢h ¢linics or through support workers. We work closely with Citizens Advice. Cardiff and Vale, both under the We15h Govertunent's Single Advice Fund and Cardiff Council funding. We also work closely with the Public Law Project's Wale5 Lawyer and the LGB TQ+ Law Clinic, while support workers from Salvation Arniy, Pobl. Cardiff Council and other organisatiot regularly refer their clients lo us. This means that clients are able to access a holistic service across different agencies. Some st4ti5tics Over the course of the year, we helped 1084 clients.. 255 with debt problems, 259 for housing issues, 312 with welfare benefit enquiries or appeals, 160 dealing with employment problems, wilh another 86 peopl¢ seen who needed a food voucher and 12 for Statutory De¢laration5. Overall. £917.000 of debt was written off for clients a5 a result of our work this year, while we h¢lped ¢lients manage a further £1,949,000 through advice and renegotiation. We a]50 helped our clienis gain an extra £238,000 of ongoing welfare benefits this year, with an additional £250,000 in one-off arrears payments. Cases We helped a family to be rehO￿sed, who h&d been separnted for months, with the children living with different family members and the parents taking turns to sofa-surf or sleep in their car. Other families were given pemanent accommodation in social housing, or seen disrepair addressed or disputed deposits returned to them. We have supported clients through Employment Tribunal Claims, or to achieve settlements with employers. One clienL a driver for a supemjarket who was dismissed without g(￿ reason, r￿e1Ved £12,000 to settle his c&s¢. Many of our clients are appealing adverse disability b¢n¢fil d¢¢isions. Over 900/0 of our clients are successful on app¢al, gaining an average of £95 per week additional benefits and arrears payThents of £4,(K>O or more. We continue to run a very popular pro bono clinic with local solicitors and law students. We connect solicitors from local fimjs to people across South Wales in need of employment law advice, with law students gaining experien¢¢ by h¢lping $¢1 up th¢ meetings and observing the solicitors give advice. South Wales Law Centr¢- Annual Report for the Year to 31 March 2024 Achievements and Performance (continued} Employing and Training a new generation of soeial welfare lawyers The Speakeasy Law Centre has a unique rolc in training social welfare lawyers in Wales. The only third se¢tOT organisation in Wales to provide solicitor training contracts, we have trdined 17 solicitors in all since w¢ opened in 1992 and an averag¢ of I per year since 2013. We are graicful to the Legal Education Foundation for providing grants for the training of several of these solicilors. This year saw two moft solicitors qualify at the Speakeasy.. one continue5 to work with us, specialising in welfare benefits work, while the other has taken oft a new role as a Welsh language housing lawyer, advising housing associations in llorth and wesr Wales. Of those we have trained over the years, many continue to work at the Speakeasy Law Centre or with other third sector organisations. while Others go on to public service roles.. 3 of our Current solicitors trained at tlie Speakeasy Law Centre, another now works for AsyluEll Justice, while oth¢r5 work for the Welsh Gov¢rninent Legal Service. HM Courts and Tribuna15 Service and S4C. The Speakeasy Law Centr¢'s role Wales and South-East Wales This year, the Centre Director continued to be involved in ihe National Advice NetWOTk. This is a group selected by ihe Welsh Govcrninent Minister, Jane Hutt, lo advise rhe Welsh Goveriirr)ent 01) its strategy for the promotioii and support of free legal advice iii Wales. He is also one of two Third Sector Tepresentatives for the Legal Wal¢s C.OlnTnittee. tliat iiicliides Jiid¥es, BarTisiers, Senior Solicitors and legyal acadeinics. The Ceiiii'c Director also contii)ued as a part of a steering group lo set up a new law centre iii iiortli Wales, a¢ring as consultaiit aiid Inakiiig his e.Kperi¢iice of Ili¢ advice 5cclor iii Wales aiid of ruiiiiing <1 law Lenire h¢re available to ilie new I rustees. Grant funding In an environment of increasing demaiid and diminishing public funding, th¢Te is real compeiition for charitable grant funding. Oiir success iii obtaining a number of significant grants this year, listed below, indicates that the work we do and OUT unique role in Wales is recognised and valued. Public benefit The Trustees havc paid due regard lo the Charity Commissioii guidance on public benefit in deciding what activities the charity should undertake. The paragraphs above provide further information. Structure, Governance and Management Governing document Soiith Wales Law Centre is a registered chariry aiid company liinited by guarantee, governed by lis Memorandum and Articles of Assoeiaiion dated 16 February 2011. Recruitment and appointment of tru$tee5 The charity is governed by a board of trLlStees, who are also directors of the company, and who are responsible to give direction aiid oversigiit to all ￿peCtS ot its aciivilies. N¢w trustees are appoiiited by tlie existing trustees. Sou¢h Wales Law Centre- Anrkual Report for the Year to 31 March 2024 Structure, Governance and Management (continued) Induction and training of trusteej The need for new Irustees is reviewed regularly, and when appropriate, names are presented at a truslees, meeting for consideration. The existing trustees make any new appointments. New trustees are given copies of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, copies of previotjs accounts and the opportunily to dis¢uss questions with trustees or the centre director. Several trusiees have 20 to 30 years, experience of corporate and charitable governan¢e and are able to act as tnentors to new trustees. A third of all Irusiees are required lo retire at each Annual General Meeting. although they are allowed to sland for re-election. Upon appointment trustees are infornied of their obligations in law as a Iruslee of a charity and are encouraged to acquaint themselves with the publications and guidance available from the Charity ComTnission. Financial Revieiv Results Net expenditure for the year amounted to £22,741 (2023- £10,517). Unrestricted funds. including unencumbered freehold premises, Carried forward at the year-end were £462,063 (2023.. £484.804). Restricted funds carried forward at the year-end were £nil (2023: £nil). D¢4igDated Fllnds Al the time of the paTrdemi¢, we recognised that more peopl¢ than ever would need our help, but that future funding would be uncertain. We therefore look the decision, each year since 2020, to designate certain funds for specific advice provision the following year. thereby assuring continuity of service provision. This year. with tnore long¢r-term funding becoming available. we have decided not to designate fijnds for the forthcorning year. Reserves pollcy The pandemi¢ has shown even more starkly than before the need for Charities to have financial resilience. includiRg strong reserves. The Speakeasy Law Centre aims to hold r¢serves equivalent to four to Six months, expersditure {approx.£105k to £l58k}. It also owns ¢ls own buildingi which has substantial value and is free of mortgage. Free Reserves at the year-end wer¢ £153.275 (2023- £I48.860). Incozne Sources The Trust receives grants frotn stat￿Ory bodies and charitable foundations, and donations from a number of churches and individual donors. We are grateful to the following organisations for grants this year.. AB Charitable Trust Access to Justice Foundation Allen & Overy Foundatioft Cardiff County Council Garfield Weston Foundatiort The Henry Smith Charity The Legal Education Foundation Welsh Government (Single Advice Fund) The Mary Homfray Charitable Trust WCVA We are also very grateful for donations towards our work from many individual donors and from several churches in Cardiff. South Wales Law Centre- Aniiual Report for the Year lo J l March 2024 Responsibilities of the Trustees The trustees (who are also director5 of South Wales Law Centre for the purpose of company law) are responsible for preparing tlie Trustees, Annlial Report and the finaiicial stateinenls in accordaiice with applicable law and United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accountijig Practi¢e. Coinpany law reqiiires the trustees to prepare fiiiancial statemen15 for eacli financial year, which give a tr￿ and fair view of the state of affair5 of the ¢liarilable company and of its iiicoming resources and application of resources, in¢lLidiiig income and e.xpenditure. In preparing tliese financial stalemeiits, tlie trustees al'e reqiiired to.. Select suitabl¢ accounting policie5 aiid then apply tlietn coiisislenlly Observe the methods and pi'inciples in 11?e Cliarities SORP Make judgeinents and estimates that are Priident and reasonable State where applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures dis¢losed and explained in the financial stateinents Prepare tlie finan¢ial statements on rlie goiiig concern basi5 unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will coiitinue in operatioii The Iruslees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable ac¢ura¢y al any liine tlie finaiicial position of the cliaritable compaiiy and whicli enable Ihein to eiisure rhat the financial slateinents coinply with tlie Cotnpanie5 Act 2006. They aTe also respo1￿1bIe for safeguarding tlie assets of tl)e ¢l?aritable compaiiy and heiice for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and oiher Irregularities. Tliis iepori Ii¢iS beeii prepare(l iii accoi'd¢iiice witli tlie specicll pi'ovisioiis ol P£ll'l 15 of tlie Coinpaiiie5 Acl 2016 ielaiiiTrry to sjnall coinpanzes. On bcl11< If of tlie boai'd oli l J, Sepleinbei- 2024 John Loosemore Cl)aiT of Trustees Steve Williams Treasurer South Wales Law Centre- Annual Report for the Year to 31 March 2024 Independent Examiner's Report To the Members of South Wales Law Centre For the Year to 31 March 2024 Independent examln¢r'8 report to the trustees o# the unaudlted financial statements of South Wales Law Centre. I report on the accounts of South Wales Law Centre for the year ended 31 March 2024 set out on pages 3 to 20. Responsibilities and b*si$ of report As the charity's trustees of the company (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law), you are responsible for the preparation of the a¢¢ounts in accordance with the requir¢ments of the Companies Act 2006 ("the 2006 Act"). Having satisfied myself that the aecounls of the company are nol required to be audited for this year under Part 16 of the 2006 A¢t and are eligible for independent examination. I report in respect of my examination of your charity's a¢¢ounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('Ihe 2011 Act"). In ¢atrying out my examination. I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(51(b) of the 2011 Act. Independent examiner'8 Statement Since ih¢ ¢ompany's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of 8 body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confiTrn that l am qualified to undertake the exuEnination because l am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies. I have completed my examination. I confsm that no material matters have come to my attention whi¢h gives me Cause to believe that: accounting records wer¢ not kept in accordance with section 386 of the Companies A¢t 2006. or the accounts do not a¢¢ord with such records- or the accounts do not comply with relevant accounting requirements under section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 other than any requirement that the accounts give a'lrue and fair, view which is not a Matter considered as part of an independent examination. or the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with th¢ Charities SORP (FRS102)- I have no concern5 and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination lo which attention should be drawn in Ihis report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Steve Ellum Steve Ellum & Associates Chartered Accountants Independent examiner Adulam House Glan Yr Afon Llanelli SA15 3QB Date= to s, ¥,.l. loiy S015th Wales Law C¢nlre- Annual Report for the Year lo 31 March 2024 Statement of Financial Activities (including income and expenditure account) for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 Unrestricted Funds General Designated 2024 2024 Restricted Fund5 2024 Total 2024 Total 2023 Notes Income from: Donations and legacies 19,411 18,785 Charitable a¢tivities 85,468 184,373 269,841 322,973 Investments 672 672 232 Other 3,835 3.835 5.444 Total Income 109,386 184,373 293,759 347,434 xpenditure on-. Raising Funds 14,108 14,108 11,799 Charitablc #etivities 93,790 24.2?9 184,373 JO?,392 346,152 Total li xpenditu re 107,898 24.229 184.37J 316.500 357,951 Net incoinc/leipenditure} Net movement in funds 1.488 124,229) (22,741> 110.517) Reconciliatio￿ of Funds Total funds brought forward 460,S75 24,229 484.804 495,321 Total funds carried forward 462,063 462,063 484,804 Tlie iiotes oli pages I I to 20 forin part of Il)ese fiiiaiicial $11£ ietneiits. South Wales Law Centre- Annual Report for the Year to 31 March 2024 Balance Sheet at 31 March 2024 2024 2023 Notes Flxed assets Tangible assets 308.788 311,715 Total fixed assets 308,788 311,715 Current assets Debtors Cash at batth and in hand 12 113 165,568 1,335 178,776 165.681 180,111 Creditors.. Amounts falling due within one year (12,406) (7.022) Net eurrellt assets 153,275 173,089 Total assets less curr¢nt li*billtles 462.063 484.804 Net assets 462.063 484,804 Represented by: Unr¢stricted funds Restricted funds 14 15 462.063 484,804 462.063 484,804 For the 12 months ending 31 March 2024, the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. The members have not requir¢d the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476. The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requiremenls of the Act with respect to accounting records and the Prep￿atIOn of ￿CoUnts. These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subjeci to the small companies. regime. These financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the truste¢s on 13th September 2024 and signed on their behalf by.. John Loosemore Chair of Trustees Steve WilliAms Treasurer Company Number.. 7550894 10 South Wales Law Centre- Annual Report for the Year to 31 March 2024 Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 Mar¢h 2024 Company informatjOD Sollth Wales Law Centre is a compaiiy limited by giiarantee and registered in Englaid and Wales, registration niimber 7550894, and a registered charity iiumber 1140949. The registered office is 166 Ricl)mond Road. Cardiff, CF24 3BX. Basis of preparation of financial stAtements The financial statements have beeii prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Stalemeiit of Recommended Practice applicable to charities prepai'ing their aceounts iii accordance witli tlie Finaiicial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland {FRS102) (effective Janiiary 2019)- (Charities SORP (FRS102}), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republi¢ of Ireland (FRS102) and tlie Companies Act 2006. Tlie charity has applied Update Bulletin l as published 011 2 February 2016 and does not include a cash flow slateinent on the ground5 that it is applying FRS 102 Section IA. SoLltlI Wales Law Centre meets the definition of a piiblic benefit entity under FRS102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or iransaction valiie unless otherwise stated iii ihe relevant a¢coiinling policy note. Tlie trustees continiie to pursLie Sirategies to increase the niimber of grants and donations iieeded lo fiiiid Ilie ivork, and lieiic¢ these £lC¢OlllIt5 Ii the fuiids, ai)y P¢Tformaiice conditions att£lclied to tlie grants lthve been Inet, it is probable tlial the incoine will be received and Ilie ainount can be rcliably measiii'ed aiid is i)ol deferred. Grants fi'oin Ilie goveriiinent aiid oilier ageiicies have beeii iiicliided in incoiiiijig resoLir¢es frtsin cliaritable activities whei'e Iliese ainoLlI)t 10 a contract lor services. bui 1¢ s doiiaiioiis wlieie the Inoney is giv¢ii iii response to an appeal or willi greater freedoin of l￿e, for exainple governinenl block gi'ants. Interest on fuiids held oli deposit is iiicliided wlieii receivable and the ainoiinl can be Ineastiied reliably by the cliarity,. tliis is norinally Lipon iiotification of Ilie iiiterest P