REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1151526
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
FOR
THE SOCIETY OF MEDIATORS
13, Wall Park Road, Brixham, Torbay, TQ5 9UE
THE SOCIETY OF MEDIATORS
CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees | 1 to 3 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 4 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 5 |
| Balance Sheet | 6 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 7 to 11 |
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities | 12 |
THE SOCIETY OF MEDIATORS
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
The Trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024. The Trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by 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) (effective 1 January 2019).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
The Society’s Objectives, Purposes, and Activities have remained unchanged in its first eleven years of operating. They were subject to a ten year review in the last period and found to be appropriate for the next ten years – notwithstanding the pandemic and its aftermath: the wisdom of having an arm’s length trading company that served to protect the Society from those difficulties was proven, and the ability of the active and motivated Trustees to lead the Society’s recovery is celebrated.
Summary of Activities in 2024
The Society has again delivered its not-for-profit training courses worldwide. Students and professionals from Cape Town to the Cayman Islands, and from Greece to Gateshead, and Taunton to Temple. More than 1,150 people from all walks of life attended the Society’s educational events – many of them for free or as pro bono placements, or on very substantial (up to 90%) bursaries.
The Society was proud to deliver training into a major Township (Alexandra) near Johannesburg at no cost to locals and to do similar work in the Caribbean delivering training and career path opportunities to people who would not have been able to access the same. The Deputy Premier of the Cayman Island’s took time to commend the Society’s work in the region and similar recognition was given by South African judiciary and leaders.
In 2024 it also began similar work in Pakistan through the establishment of a Chapter of the Society in Islamabad and was delighted by the energy and achievements of the members of the Chapter in its first season – again commended by local judicial leaders and professional bodies.
The Society is, however, about much more than education. It is also about offering mediation to promote resolution of disputes, free at the point of use without means testing. It does so through the funding it raises from training and as such the Free Mediation is both unique in these islands and the flagship cause for the Society. It remains central to the mission and objectives the Society and its 500 members advance.
The free mediation service is integrated with the courts in London and is delivered by members and alumni, administered through 218 Strand Limited, and is backed by our Trustees and administration. It settled numerous disputes to the benefit of the public and to the court system – at no cost to either. It is operated for some ten weeks in the London courts but all year around the country and is open to applications by any member of the public.
Further the Society bonded with the Sikh Court in 2024 and trained more than 24 members of this unique institution in the use of mediation to resolve matters. This has drawn widespread public approval and affirmation and the Society will look to reach out to other communities on the back of this success.
Finally, in 2024 the Society began a relationship with Greek bodies and presented three courses in Greece with highly subsidised fees to establish a cohort of mediators in community and workplace settings in particular. This was a success and a Festival of Listening in 2025 will be sponsored by Corfu Mediation and supported by the Society’s Faculty as mediation’s role in peace-making initiatives continues to evolve.
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THE SOCIETY OF MEDIATORS
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES - continued
Plans for 2025
-
The Society will continue:
-
to educate through the long-term not for profit training programme
-
to promote mediation through its outreach activities worldwide
-
to resolve disputes between members of the public with the Free Mediation Project
-
to expand knowledge and use of mediation with its courts and other charities.
We will also promote mediation – in Parliament, in the Ministry and Judiciary and to the public to encourage its use. The Third Edition of our textbook on the subject, “Practical Mediation” which was published in September 2023, will continue and this will be re-written in 2025 to be offered along with new links to other charities that will be readily accepted.
The Society will promote the wider initiatives with mediation and the work by the courts after Churchill v Merthyr Tydfil but more directly, through our wider publications and the newsletter, The Listening Brief , which is well read by more than 2,000 people each month.
The Society has entered into fresh and updated not-for-profit training arrangements to safeguard the objective of education until at least 31st March 2030. It will again work in the Caribbean, South Africa, and Europe on pro bono or not-for-profit bases and will seek support of sponsors for this work. It will educate and inform across the British Isles and into four Universities, as well as professional bodies with a new relationship with CILEX following that which has been in place with the Bar Council for five years.
The Trustees, who are an increasingly diverse group under new Chair Ruby Sandhu, are confident that they have established sound Foundations for continued growth, properly regulated, and supervised, with the guidance of their Accountants and advisers and with excellent oversight. They look forward to an active and successful 2025.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The Society’s financial performance in 2024 showed a pleasing turnaround after the difficult pandemic and post-Pandemic era. Membership was up, course income improved and the surplus improved. It is anticipated that the year ended 31st March 2025 will also see a surplus of income over expenditure, replenishing the reserves.
The Society’s footprint has been reduced in 218 Strand for 2025-2030 with a generous arrangements by the Landlord there and costs have been reduced by 90% for the 2025 year. This will improve the availability of funds to support free and pro bono activities.
The Trustees are wholly satisfied that the structure meets the SOM’s needs and is effective. The Society of Mediators has no loan debts, no significant liabilities, is insured and strongly managed financially. All risks are covered by E&O and general insurance by Hiscox.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust and constitutes an unincorporated charity. As stated above, this was reviewed in 2024 and found fit for purpose with a further ten year review planned for 2034.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number
1151526
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THE SOCIETY OF MEDIATORS
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS - continued Principal address
The Society of Mediators Fourth Floor 218 Strand London WC2R IAT
Trustees
I Strathcarron (Resigned 30 January 2025) D Collis (Resigned 30 January 2025) J Sephton (Resigned 30 January 2025) R Sandhu J Hodge K Ealey J Mulrooney D M Cawdell-Trew D Ingle M Medforth A Agbeze E Tack M Ganesan (Resigned 30 January 2025) A Ogbomo (Appointed 30 January 2025) N Cleaver (Appointed 30 January 2025) A Fletcher (Appointed 30 January 2025) B Mould (Appointed 1 Novmeber 2024; Resigned 30 January 2025)) T Ghose (Appointed 30 January 2025) A Airey (Appointed 30 January 2025)
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS - continued Independent Examiner
Bagborough Accountancy Chartered Accountants 13, Wall Park Road Brixham Torbay TQ5 9UE
Approved by order of the board of Trustees on 30 January 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
Ruby Sandu – Trustee (Chair of The Trustees)
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE SOCIETY OF MEDIATORS
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The Society of Mediators
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Society of Mediators (the Trust) for the year ended 31 March 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 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.
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.
Michael January BA FCA Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales Bagborough Accountancy Chartered Accountants 13, Wall Park Road Brixham Torbay TQ5 9UE
30 January 2025
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THE SOCIETY OF MEDIATORS
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
| 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted fund | Unrestricted fund | ||||
| Notes | £ | £ | |||
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM | |||||
| Donations and legacies | 23,233 | 14,470 | |||
| Other trading activities | 2 | 233,825 | 125,001 | ||
| Investment income | 3 | - | - | ||
| Total | 257,058 | 139,471 | |||
| EXPENDITURE ON | |||||
| Raising funds | 247,125 | 152,008 | |||
| Charitable activities | |||||
| Governance costs | 7,295 | 4,770 | |||
| Total | 254,420 | 156,778 | |||
| NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) | 2,638 | (17,307) | |||
| RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS | |||||
| Total funds brought forward | 41,496 | 58,803 | |||
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 44,134 | 41,496 |
The notes form part of these financial statements
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THE SOCIETY OF MEDIATORS
BALANCE SHEET 31 MARCH 2024
| 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted fund | Unrestricted fund | ||||
| Notes | £ | £ | |||
| CURRENT ASSETS | |||||
| Debtors | 67,371 | 42,999 | |||
| Cash at bank | 6 | 4,647 | 4,390 | ||
| CREDITORS | 72,018 | 47,389 | |||
| Amounts falling due within one year | 7 | (27,884) | (5,893) | ||
| NET CURRENT ASSETS | 44,134 | 41,496 | |||
| TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT | |||||
| LIABILITIES | 44,134 | 41,496 | |||
| NET ASSETS | 44,134 | 41,496 | |||
| FUNDS | |||||
| Unrestricted Funds | 8 | 44,134 | 41,496 | ||
| TOTAL FUNDS | 44,134 | 41,496 | |||
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 30 January 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:
Ruby Sandu – Trustee (Chair of The Trustees)
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 6
THE SOCIETY OF MEDIATORS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by 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) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the Trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
2. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES
3.
| Mediation courses Rents received INVESTMENT INCOME Deposit account interest |
2024 £ 233,825 - 233,825 2024 £ - |
2023 £ 113,280 11,721 125,001 2023 £ - |
|---|---|---|
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THE SOCIETY OF MEDIATORS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
4. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no Trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2024 nor for the year ended 31 March 2023.
Trustees' expenses
Some Trustees are reimbursed for expenses, travel, accommodation, photocopying, books, exam and assessment fees, room hires, and costs throughout the year, in year doing work of the society - mainly on free courses or mediations. Disclosure of these amounts can be seen in the Related Party Disclosures not to the financial statements.
5. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
| Unrestricted | |
|---|---|
| fund | |
| £ | |
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM | |
| Donations and legacies | 14,470 |
| Other trading activities | 125,001 |
| Investment income | - |
| Total | 139,471 |
| EXPENDITURE ON | |
| Raising funds | 152,008 |
| Charitable activities | |
| Governance costs | 4,770 |
| Total | 156,778 |
| NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) | (17,307) |
| RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS | |
| Total funds brought forward | 58,803 |
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 41,496 |
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THE SOCIETY OF MEDIATORS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
| 6. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Trade debtors Other debtors VAT 7. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Trade creditors Other creditors VAT Accruals 8. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS At 01.04.23 £ Unrestricted funds General fund 41,496 TOTAL FUNDS 41,496 Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Incoming resources £ Unrestricted funds General fund 257,058 TOTAL FUNDS 257,058 |
2024 £ 29,372 37,999 - 67,371 2024 £ 827 1,160 3,083 22,814 27,884 Net movement in funds £ 2,638 2,638 Resources expended £ (254,420) (254,420) |
2023 £ 5,000 37,999 - 42,999 2023 £ 827 3,860 1,206 - 5,893 At 31.03.24 £ 44,134 44,134 Movement in funds £ 2,638 2,638 |
|---|---|---|
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THE SOCIETY OF MEDIATORS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
8. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Comparatives for movement in funds
| Net At movement 01.04.22 in funds £ £ Unrestricted funds General fund 58,803 (17,307) TOTAL FUNDS 58,803 (17,307) Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Incoming Resources resources expended £ £ Unrestricted funds General fund 139,471 (156,778) TOTAL FUNDS 139,471 (156,778) A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows: Net At movement 01.04.22 in funds £ £ Unrestricted funds General fund 58,803 (14,669) TOTAL FUNDS 58,803 (14,669) |
At 31.03.23 £ 41,496 41,496 Movement in funds £ (17,307) (17,307) At 31.03.24 £ 44,134 44,134 |
|---|---|
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Unrestricted funds General fund TOTAL FUNDS |
Incoming resources £ 396,529 396,529 |
Resources expended £ (411,198) (411,198) |
Movement in funds £ (14,669) (14,669) |
|---|---|---|---|
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THE SOCIETY OF MEDIATORS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
9. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
The charity operates from a premises at 218 The Strand, London. The charity has a service agreement with 218 Strand Limited to sub-let rooms at the property. This is done on an arms length basis to third parties, and the rent received by the charity is then passed to 218 Strand Limited. 218 Strand Limited then donates to The Society of Mediators.
This allows the charity to have:
-
Infrastructure provided risk free
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Very little financial risk
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A valuable income stream within minimal investment
218 Strand Limited is primarily controlled by Mr J C Dingle, who is also a honorary CEO of the charity. The Trustees believe that the arrangement is in the best interest of the charity as it allows the charity to continue raising funds. Mr J C Dingle underpins both 218 Strand Limited and the charity.
Some Trustees are reimbursed for expenses, travel, accommodation, photocopying, books, exam and assessment fees, room hires, and costs throughout the year, doing the work of the society - mainly on free courses or mediations. These are not payments for being a trustee of the charity, but rather re-imbursement of costs for the various courses throughout the year.
| D Ingle K Ealey J Dingle J Mulrooney J Shepton |
2024 £ - - 947 - - 947 |
2023 £ 1,304 215 - 1,447 500 3,466 |
|---|---|---|
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THE SOCIETY OF MEDIATORS
DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
| 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted fund | Unrestricted fund | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM | ||||
| Donations and legacies | ||||
| Charitable and political donations | 600 | 5,000 | ||
| Membership subscriptions | 22,633 | 9,470 | ||
| Other trading activities | 23,233 | 14,470 | ||
| Mediation courses | 233,825 | 113,280 | ||
| Rents received | - | 11,721 | ||
| Investment income | 233,825 | 125,001 | ||
| Deposit account interest | - | - | ||
| Total incoming resources | 257,058 | 139,471 | ||
| EXPENDITURE | ||||
| Other trading activities | ||||
| Other operating leases | 168,205 | 94,739 | ||
| Advertising and marketing | 1,954 | - | ||
| Rates and water | - | (588) | ||
| Rent | 2,653 | - | ||
| Other operating expenses | 947 | - | ||
| Tutor fees | 73,366 | 57,857 | ||
| Support costs | 247,125 | 152,008 | ||
| Management | 29 | 243 | ||
| Insurance | 1,472 | 212 | ||
| Subscriptions | - | 246 | ||
| Accountancy | 1,499 | 660 | ||
| Finance | 3,000 | 1,361 | ||
| Bank charges | 4,258 | 2,828 | ||
| Information technology | ||||
| Website development | 37 | 581 | ||
| Total resources expended | 254,420 | 156,778 | ||
| Net expenditure | 2,638 | (17,307) |
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
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