2021-10-31-accounts

FINANCIAL MARKETS LAW COMMITTEE

Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements Year Ending 31 October 2021 www.fmlc.org

Registered Charity Number: 1164902. "The FMLC" and "The Financial Markets Law Committee" are terms used to describe a committee appointed by Financial Markets Law Committee, a limited company (“FMLC” or “the Company”). Registered office: City of London, PO BOX 270, Guildhall, London EC2P 2EJ. Registered in England and Wales. Company Registration Number: 08733443.

Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

FINANCIAL MARKETS LAW COMMITTEE REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1164902 COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER 08733443 TRUSTEES

TRUSTEES
	Lord R J L Thomas of
	Cwmgiedd
	Mr D Greenwald
	Mr M Duncan (resigned 22 January
	2022)
	Mr S Firth
	Ms K Gibbons
	Ms C Jackson
	Sir R Knowles CBE
REGISTERED OFFICE	PO Box 270
	London
	EC2P 2EJ
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS	Price Bailey LLP
	Chartered Accountants & Statutory
	Auditors 24 Old Bond Street
	London
	W1S
	4AP
BANKING SERVICES	The Bank of England
	Threadneedle Street
	London
	EC2R 8AH
	CAF Bank Ltd.
	25 Kings Hill
	Avenue Kings Hill
	West
	Mailing
	Kent
	ME19 4JQ
	Cambridge & Counties Bank
	Limited Charnwood Court
	5B New
	Walk
	Leicester
	LE1 6TE

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Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

TRUSTEES Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd Chairman, Director, Member David Greenwald Deputy Chairman, Director Michael Duncan Director (resigned 22 January 2022) Simon Firth Director, Member Kathleen Gibbons Director, Member Carolyn Jackson Director, Member Sir Robin Knowles CBE Director, Member

The Trustees are pleased to present their annual report together with the financial statements for the year ending 31 October 2021, which are also prepared to meet the requirements for a directors’ report and accounts for Companies Act purposes.

The financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006 and the Memorandum and Articles of Association.

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Trustees, Report and Financial Statements

Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

1. OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

• 1.1. The objectives of Financial Markets Law Committee (“ FMLC ” or the “ Charity ”) are to promote for the public benefit the upholding and proper administration of the law and the advancement of education by:

• a) identifying and considering, impartially and in the public interest, issues of legal uncertainty or misunderstanding relating to the functioning and regulation of financial markets; and

• b) making its work on those legal issues freely available to financial markets and to the general public.

• 1.2. FMLC aims to identify issues of legal uncertainty, or misunderstanding, present and future, affecting the wholesale financial markets which might give rise to material risks, and to consider how such issues should be addressed.

• 1.3. Some element of legal uncertainty is inevitable in financial markets that are international, competitive and innovative. Although the U.K. framework of law for financial markets is highly developed and robust, new ideas or practices can sometimes raise legal uncertainties as to how the law will apply, on occasion based on misunderstandings about existing law. In addition, proposals (whether at home or abroad) for new law or new regulations, can give rise to uncertainties or misunderstandings when the specific features of wholesale market practice have not been fully understood by a legislature or other public authority.

• 1.4. The establishment of FMLC reflects the view—widely held across the wholesale financial markets - that London should continue to have arrangements in place to identify and analyse areas of legal uncertainty or misunderstanding affecting those markets. The Committee, [1] which meets bi-monthly to review FMLC publication proposals and to guide the forward research strategy of the Charity’s employees (the “ Secretariat ”), is balanced and strives to act impartially. It comprises senior lawyers, representatives of financial market participants (buy-side and sell-side) and the Tripartite Authorities (i.e., Bank of England, HM Treasury and Financial

1 The Committee is an independent body of experts appointed by FMLC. For further detail, please see www.fmlc.org.

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Conduct Authority). Meetings are attended regularly by observers from public bodies and industry associations.

• 1.5. The Committee was originally established by the Bank of England (the “ Bank ”). FMLC, however, is independent from the Bank and its views and any published materials cannot be taken to reflect the views of the Bank, or those of any other patron and/or stakeholder.

• 1.6. The Charity fulfils its purposes by its activities which include publishing reports and responses to consultations or calls for evidence in respect of areas of legal uncertainty and making these available for the public on its website, organising scoping forums where interested practitioners can educate each other on issues of legal uncertainty as well as organising seminars and webinars on topics of legal uncertainty where the identification and minimisation of that uncertainty is in the public interest.

• 1.7. The Charity also acts as a bridge to the judiciary, helping the U.K. courts to remain up to date with developments in financial markets. It carries out this role primarily by organising seminars to brief senior members of the judiciary on aspects of wholesale financial markets of which they might not otherwise be aware. FMLC also holds a number of educational events each year which are not aimed solely at the judiciary and which are attended by interested parties.

• 1.8. FMLC also liaises with the members of international forums, originally established by central banks that have a regulatory role in the leading global financial centres. These are the European Financial Markets Lawyers Group (“ EFMLG ”) in Frankfurt; the Financial Markets Lawyers Group (“ FMLG ”) in New York; the Financial Law Board (“ FLB ”) in Tokyo; and the FMLC in London. The forum members discuss global issues of concern to the financial markets and they typically meet at least annually.

• 1.9. In order for the Charity’s work to be promoted for the public benefit, the Secretariat take appropriate steps to ensure that FMLC’s work is available to any interested party.

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2. ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

• 2.1. During the year the FMLC held webinars on a range of topics including the impact of the Hong Kong Autonomy Act on cross border banking business, the Robinhood debacle and LIBOR transition.

• 2.2. FMLC events educated a wide range of people, with invitees including representatives from the senior judiciary, law firms and trade associations, together with other industry practitioners, academics and some students.

• 2.3. Judicial seminars are held annually to provide a link between commercial judges - who do not always have deep experience of the financial markets - and those with relevant financial expertise. In March 2021 a webinar was held for commercial judges on the topic of LIBOR transition. These educational events further FMLC’s objective of acting as a bridge to the judiciary to help U.K. courts remain up to date with developments in financial markets practice.

• 2.4. The “Quadrilateral” group of FMLC, FMLG, EFMLG and FLB met in March, June and September 2021. Topics addressed included LIBOR transition, central bank digital currencies and environmental, social and corporate governance standards. Uncertainties or misunderstandings often arise when the specific features of wholesale financial markets practice have not been fully understood by a legislature or other public authority, making such discussions vital to FMLC’s objectives as described above.

• 2.5. During this time, the Charity was also able to produce 16 publications on topics ranging from the UK’s international regulatory cooperation strategy to artificial intelligence and the use of machine learning in financial services. Full details of all publications are available on the website www.fmlc.org

• 2.6. The achievements highlighted serve as evidence that the aims of the Charity, as stated in Section One above, have been met.

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Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

3. FINANCIAL REVIEW

• 3.1 The Charity's financial performance was satisfactory in 2020-2021. Charitable donations remained consistent at £362,500 between 2019/2020 financial year and 2020/2021.

• 3.2 The total income will allow FMLC to continue its current output for the foreseeable future and the Charity is also able to draw on its reserves, as detailed below, in pursuit of meeting its key performance indicators. Total costs increased by 20.8% to £405,979 (2020: £336,111) with almost the entirety of expenditure relating to the direct costs of the upholding and proper administration of the law and the advancement of education.

• 3.3 FMLC is a small charity, which spends most of its income on salaries to fulfil its remit which requires extensive legal research, analysis and writing, as detailed above, together with a sound operational base. A majority of FMLC's donors are in the same line of business, being mostly law firms and trade associations, so an unforeseen event which has an impact on the business of one of the Charity’s donors is likely similarly to affect other donors. FMLC raises funds once a year. If a large number of donors were to withdraw or reduce their support in any one year, FMLC’s operating budget for that year would be adversely affected to a very significant degree without reserve funds. The reserve funds are intended to cover the costs of FMLC until the next fundraising round in the expectation that, over the year, the Charity will be successful in finding alternative sources of support.

• 3.4 The reserve funds are also intended to cover the costs of strategic planning to mitigate key risks identified in FMLC’s risk register, as detailed below in Section Three.

• 3.5 FMLC’s Trustees have agreed the FMLC reserves policy which is to hold in reserve funds approximately equal to at least one year's expenses of up to £450,000 to cover the risk of unforeseen events and meet the needs of cash flow in the event of a reduction in donations. At the year-end total reserves were £624,029 (2020: £666,593) giving a reserves surplus of approximately £174,000, a reduction of £42,564 compared to the previous year. The Charity continues to keep its reserves policy under regular review. In 2020 FMLC was given notice to quit its premises at

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Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

the Bank owing to a planned refurbishment. The Charity secured new premises free of rent charge which it began to occupy during the financial year. The transfer had associated costs - including the procurement of technology - which it met from reserves. This has resulted in a reduction of the reserves surplus over the financial year. During the period, the Company lost its CEO, Joanna Perkins. The board was able to recruit a replacement and engaged a review of the organisation. The cost of that review has been met from reserves.

• 3.6

FMLC’s work has not been impacted by the various lockdowns and restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Secretariat adapting seamlessly to a remote-working model and a virtual events/speaking programme. Similarly, governance has been maintained at usual levels of five-six meetings of the Board of Trustees and of the Committee per annum by moving to videoconferencing. Utilising such technology has also allowed FMLC’s scoping forums and working groups to continue to meet and, as mentioned, educational events to take place as planned. With regard to the charitable objects of FMLC, Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic have given rise to increasing legal and operational uncertainties in the wholesale financial markets which have made the work of the Charity more vital today than ever. This will continue to be the case as the U.K. develops its post-Brexit regulatory framework still further.

3.7

At the date of approving the report and accounts, there are no uncertainties about the Charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.

4. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

4.1

FMLC is a company limited by guarantee (“ the Company ”) governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association (“ Article ”) dated 3 December 2015 (replacing earlier Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 15 October 2013). Anyone over the age of 18 can become a Member of the Company. There are currently five Members, each of whom agrees to contribute a sum not exceeding £1 in the event of its being wound up.

• 4.2

FMLC is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission. Directors appointed to the Board of the Company have control and management of the Company and are, therefore, the Charity Trustees for the purposes of the Charities Act 2011. As such,

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Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

they not only owe fiduciary duties in the normal way as Directors of the Company, but they also owe fiduciary duties to the Charity in the same way as they would if they were Trustees of a charitable trust.

• 4.3 The Board is responsible for the governance of the Charity and oversees the operation and administration of FMLC, the Committee and the Secretariat. The Board maintains, supports and sets the terms of reference of the Committee. Minutes of meetings of the Committee are sent to the Board, who all also serve as Committee members.

• 4.4 In accordance with Article 45 the Board may delegate any of its powers or functions to committees of two or more Trustees (which the Board may create), subject to such rules or requirements as the Board may consider appropriate, provided that the terms of any delegation are recorded in the meeting minutes. Such a delegation can be subsequently revoked by the Trustees.

• 4.5 The Board must at all times comprise a minimum of two Trustees and a maximum (unless otherwise determined by an ordinary resolution of the Members) of ten in accordance with Article 27.

• 4.6 The Appointments Sub-Committee (the “ Sub-Committee ”) comprises the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman and the CEO. Its responsibilities include:

• a. recommending to the Board the appointment of a Trustee to the position of Chairman and to serve as Chairman of the Committee;

• b. recommending to the Board the appointment of a Trustee to the position of Deputy Chairman and to serve as Deputy Chairman of the Committee;

• c. appointing or re-appointing individuals who are willing to serve as members of the Committee; and

• d. removing Committee members if the circumstances demand it.

• 4.7 In exercising its powers, the Sub-Committee has regard to the need to maintain independent judgement and a proper balance of the skills and experience requisite for achieving the Charity’s objects.

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Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

• 4.8 The Chairman is appointed by the Board on the recommendation of the SubCommittee. The criteria for eligibility require that the individual has held a position in the senior judiciary or, failing that, is a person of real distinction and unquestionable integrity and independence who has made a significant contribution to the legal system of the U.K. The Chairman’s main responsibilities include to:

• a. lead the Committee in such a way as to ensure that it fulfils its responsibilities;

• b. lead the Board in such a way as to ensure that it fulfils its responsibilities for the governance of the Charity;

• c. be a member of the Sub-Committee;

• d. work with the CEO to help achieve the objectives of the Charity;

• e. optimise the relationship between the Board, the Committee and the Secretariat; and

• f. inform the Trustees of any material concerns employees may have in regard to the role of the Board to which the Chairman is aware and to relate the concerns of Trustees and other stakeholders to the CEO.

• 4.9 Each new Trustee receives the Committee Members’ Handbook, the most recent annual report and accounts of the Charity and the minutes of previous Board meetings, together with supporting papers. All Trustees must demonstrate:

• a. commitment to the work of the Charity;

• b. willingness to participate actively in the work of the Board; and

• c. regular attendance at Board meetings.

• 4.10 The Board may resolve by majority vote to appoint (or reappoint) Trustees. A Trustee ceases to hold office if he or she retires in accordance with Article 31 to 32A, or in any of the circumstances set out in Article 38. Trustees who retire will be eligible for reappointment.

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Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

• 4.11 None of FMLC’s Trustees receive remuneration or other benefit from their work with the Charity.[2] Any potential conflicts of interest must be reported to the Operations Manager and are maintained on a confidential register. No substantive conflicts have been reported.

• 4.12 The Remunerations Sub-Committee comprises two Trustees. Its responsibilities include:

• a. reviewing CEO terms and conditions of employment;

• b. reviewing Secretariat terms and conditions of employment; and

• c. making recommendations to the Board on such matters.

• 4.13 The only executive personnel in charge of, running and operating the Charity on a day-to-day basis is the CEO, who is subject to the direction and control of the Trustees. The CEO’s pay may be reviewed at each Board meeting or via the Remunerations Sub-Committee referred to above. The CEO manages the day-today operations of the Charity within clear guidelines agreed with the Trustees and in close consultation with them.

• 4.14 No external person or body has entitlement to appoint one or more of the Charity’s Trustees.

• 4.15 The biggest risks facing the Charity in the year ahead 2021-22 are:

• a. income generation;

• b. loss of senior management;

• c. an adverse change in the Charity’s occupation of its premises; and

• d. loss of reputation.

• 4.16 The Charity has a number of systems and controls in place to mitigate the key risks identified. This includes a robust reserves policy which will allow FMLC to introduce new roles and new senior management positions which will allow the Charity to

2 The Chairman’s expenses are reimbursed in respect of his employment of secretarial services on FMLC business. 11

Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

continue to implement an optimal transition plan for CEO succession. The reserves policy will also protect FMLC should new premises need to be sought. Systematic peer review, as highlighted in this document, together with a commitment to the highest quality of expanding FMLC’s events programme and increasing staffing, will maximise confidence in FMLC’s output, ensuring it remains at all times sturdy and robust.

5. FUTURE PLANS

• 5.1 FMLC has had a successful year and has met the aims set out in Section One above. During the year ahead the Charity plans to continue its important work. In particular, FMLC intends to completely revamp its website, to engage more with social media as a means of increasing awareness of its activities and to re-commence in-person meetings and seminars.

6. FUNDRAISING

• 6.1 FMLC understands its duty to protect the public, including vulnerable people, from unreasonably intrusive or persistent fundraising approaches and undue pressure to donate.

• 6.2 The Charity does not currently fundraise from the general public or use any internal fundraisers or external fundraising agencies for either telephone or face-to-face campaigns. No fundraising complaints were received during the year (2020: none).

7. EXEMPTIONS FROM DISCLOSURE

• 7.1 There are no exemptions from disclosure.

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Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

8. FUNDS HELD AS CUSTODIAN TRUSTEE ON BEHALF OF OTHERS

• 8.1 There are no funds held as custodian Trustee on behalf of others.

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Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES STATEMENT

The Trustees (who are also directors of Financial Markets Law Committee for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:

1. select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

2. observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP 2019 FRS 102;

3. make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

4. state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and

5. prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in operation.

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charitable company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company 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 charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

In so far as the Trustees are aware:

1. there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company’s auditor is unaware; and

2. the Trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditor is aware of that information.

The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

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Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

SMALL COMPANY EXEMPTIONS

This report has been prepared taking advantage of the small companies’ exemption of section 415A of the Companies Act 2006

…………………………………………………………. The Rt Hon the Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd FMLC Chairman, Trustee

Date : 1 July 2022

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Trustees, Report and Financial Statements 16

Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

FINANCIAL MARKETS LAW COMMITTEE

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF FINANCIAL MARKETS LAW COMMITTEE

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2021

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Financial Markets Law Committee (the ‘charitable company’) for the year ended 31 October 2021 which comprise a Statement of Financial Activities (incorporating an Income and Expenditure Account), a Balance Sheet and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

1. give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company’s affairs as at 31 October 2021, and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended;

2. have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and

3. have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

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Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

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Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

FINANCIAL MARKETS LAW COMMITTEE

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF FINANCIAL MARKETS LAW COMMITTEE

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2021

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the trustees’ annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

1. the information given in the trustees’ report (incorporating to the directors’ report) for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

2. the directors’ report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of our knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the directors’ report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

1. adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit

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Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

have not been received from branches not visited by us; or

1. the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

2. certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or

3. we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or

4. the trustees were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies’ regime and take advantage of the small companies’ exemptions in preparing the directors’ report.

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Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

FINANCIAL MARKETS LAW COMMITTEE

I NDEPENDENT AUDITORS REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF FINANCIAL MARKETS LAW COMMITTEE

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2021

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detailing irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

We gained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework applicable to the company and the industry in which it operates and considered the risk of the company not complying with the applicable laws and regulations including fraud in particular those that could have a material impact on the financial statements. This included those regulations directly related to the financial statements, including financial reporting, tax legislation, employment law, health and safety and GDPR. The risks were discussed with the audit team and we remained alert to any indications of non-compliance throughout the audit.

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Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

We carried out specific procedures to address the risks identified. These included the following:

• Review of legal fees incurred;

• Reviewing minutes of meetings of Trustee Board meetings;

• Enquiring of management including those responsible for the key regulations;

• Reviewing the key accounting policies and estimates;

• Agreeing the financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation.

We reviewed key authorisation procedures and decision making processes for any unusual or one-off transactions. We also assessed management bias in relation to the accounting policies adopted and in determining significant accounting estimates.

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Auditors' Report.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Helena Wilkinson

Senior Statutory Auditor

Price Bailey LLP, 24 Old Bond Street, London W1S 4AP

Date:

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Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

FINANCIAL MARKETS LAW COMMITTEE

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2021

		Unrestricted Funds	Unrestricted Funds
		2021	2020
	Notes	Total	Total
		£	£
INCOME
Donations and legacies	3	362,500	362,500
Investment income	4	915	3,459
		───────	───────
Total income		363,415	365,959
		───────	───────
EXPENDITURE
Charitable activities	5	(405,979)	(36,111)
		───────	───────
Total expenditure		(405,979)	(336,111)
		───────	───────
Net(expenditure)/ income being net movement
in funds		(42,564)	29,848
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward		666,593	636,745
		───────	───────
Total funds carried forward		624,029	666,593
		═══════	═══════

All amounts relate to continuing activities of the company.

The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. The notes to the accounts are shown on pages 425 to 32.

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Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

FINANCIAL MARKETS LAW COMMITTEE REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 08733443

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 OCTOBER 2021

	Notes	2021	2020
		£	£
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors	9	2,141	1,029
Cash at bank and in hand		672,438	708,665
		────────	────────
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS		674,579	709,694
LIABILITIES
Creditors: amounts falling due within	10	(50,550)	(43,101)
one year
		────────	────────
NET CURRENT ASSETS		624,029	666,593
		────────	────────
		────────	────────
NET ASSETS		624,029 ════════	666,593
			════════
FUNDS OF THE CHARITY:
Unrestricted funds		624,029	666,593
		────────	────────
TOTAL FUNDS		624,029	666,593
		════════	════════

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime.

The attached notes on pages 25 to 32 form part of these financial statements.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

...................................................................... The Rt Hon the Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd FMLC Chairman, Trustee

Date: 1 July 2022

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Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

FINANCIAL MARKETS LAW COMMITTEE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2021

• 1 Accounting policies

The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:

a) Basis of preparation The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis and are presented in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. The financial statements are rounded to the nearest pound.

The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.

• b) Going Concern

• The trustees have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

• c) Legal status of the Charity

There is no share capital as the company is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated within England. Each member has guaranteed an amount, not exceeding £1, towards the company’s liabilities in the event of a winding up, provided that a member has not ceased to be a member one year prior to any winding up order. In the year there were 7 members (2020: 7). The registered office of the charity is City of London PO Box 270, Guildhall, London, EC2P 2EJ.

• d) Fund accounting Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.

e) Income Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the items of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Donations comprise income received from members and grants given by the Bank of England to support the charitable company’s activities. Donations are recognised when received and grants are recognised on submission of expenditure claims from the charitable company to the Bank of England.

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Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

f) Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with use of the resources.

g) Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due. Accrued income is included at the best estimate of the amounts receivable at the balance sheet date.

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

Creditors are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably 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 are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

• j) Financial instruments The charity only 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.

• k) Foreign Currencies

Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date.

Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rate ruling on the date of the transaction.

l) Taxation

The company is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the company is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.

J) Pensions

• Employees of the charity are entitled to join a defined contribution scheme. The costs of the defined contribution scheme are included within the associated staff costs and allocated therefore to raising funds, charitable activities, support and governance costs.

• 2 Judgements in Applying Accounting Policies And Key Sources Of Estimation Uncertainty

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Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

The Trustees make estimates and assumptions concerning the future based on their knowledge of the business and the markets it operates in. The resulting accounting estimates and assumptions will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results. There are no areas considered to be potentially material to the financial statements.

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Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

FINANCIAL MARKETS LAW COMMITTEE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2021

3	Donations and legacies
			2021		2020
			£		£
	Donations and legacies	362,500			362,500
		══════			══════
4	Income from Investments
			2021		2020
			£		£
	Bank interest		915		3,459
		════════		════════
5a	Charitable activities
		Direct	Support		Total
		Costs	Costs		2021
		£		£	£
	Upholding and proper administration of the
	law and the advancement of education	398,037	7,942		405,979
		═══════	══════════════
5b	Charitable activities
		Direct	Support		Total
		Costs	Costs		2020
		£		£	£
	Upholding and proper administration of the
	law and the advancement of education	329,356	6,755		336,111
		═══════	══════════════
6	Analysis of support costs
			2021		2020
			£		£
	Audit fees		7,608		5,350
	Insurances		334		1,405
		────────		────────
			7,942		6,755
		════════		════════

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Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

FINANCIAL MARKETS LAW COMMITTEE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2021

7	Analysis of staff costs and key management
	personnel
		2021	2020
		£	£
	Wages and salaries	302,924	280,734
	Social security costs	32,147	23,999
	Employers pension costs	6,276	8,331
		────────	────────
		341,347	313,063
		════════	════════

The Chair received £Nil (2020: £Nil) during the year in respect of his duties

in office. During the year, no trustees were paid in respect of their duties.

(2020: none).

In 2021, one trustee was reimbursed £2,580 for expenses incurred in employing a third party on FMLC Secretarial Business (2020: one trustee, £7,800).

The charity considers its key management personnel to comprise of one person. During the year, there was a change in key management personnel, the total employment benefits to key management personnel was £155,538 (2020: one person, £149,740).

The average monthly head count was as follows:

	2021	2020
	Number	Number
Full time staff	4	4
Part time staff	8	8
	────────	────────
	12	12
This equates to seven full time equivalent staff
(2020:7).

There were t w o employees whose total employee benefits excluding pension contributions were between £70,000 and £80,000 (2020 – one employee between £140,000 - £150,000).

Total employer pension contributions during the year for the staff in the above bandings was £1,820 (2020: £3,900)

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Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

FINANCIAL MARKETS LAW COMMITTEE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2021

		2021	2020
		£	£
8	Net (expenditure)/ income
	Net (expenditure)/income is stated after
	charging: Auditors remuneration:
	- for audit services	6,000	5,350
		═══════	═══════

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Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

FINANCIAL MARKETS LAW COMMITTEE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2021

9	Debtors
		2021	2020
		£	£
	Prepayments and accrued income	2,141	1,029
		═══════	═══════
10	Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
		2021	2020
		£	£
	Trade creditors	20,563	20,005
	Other taxation and social security	6,820	6,087
	Accruals	20,987	17,009
	Other Creditors	2,180	-
		───────	───────
		50,550	43,101
		───────	───────

11 Pensions – defined contribution scheme

The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charitable company in an independently administered fund. The pension cost charge represents contributions payable by the charity to the fund and amounted to £6,276 (2020: £8,331). Contributions totalling £797 (2020: £698) were payable to the fund at the balance sheet date and are included in creditors.

12 Commitments under operating leases

• At 31 October 2021 the Company had future minimum lease payments due under non cancellable operating leases for each of the following periods:

Others	2021	2020
	£	£
Not later than one year	669	-
Later than 1 year and not later than 5	3,570	-
years
	───────	───────
	4,239	-
	───────	───────

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Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

13 Related party transactions

During the 2021 and 2020 financial years, the company received donations from law firms at which trustees M Duncan, S Firth, K Gibbons, D Greenwald and C Jackson are partners. Law firms at which trustees M Duncan, S Firth and K Gibbons are partners offer secondees to the Secretariat on a rotational basis.

There are no further related party transactions during the year (2020: none).

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