Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From Period start date 25[th] October 2020 To Period end date 24[th] October 2021
Charity name: Horizon Legal Advice Clinic
Charity registration number: 1165006
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | For the public benefit, the relief of those in need by reason of financial hardship, living in Greater London, through the provision of free legal advice. 'Financial hardship' for the purposes of this report means those individuals who would not otherwise have the financial means to obtain legal advice. In this vein, Horizon Legal Advice Clinic (“Horizon LAC”) provides a free end-to-end legal advice service which focuses on two main welfare benefits, namely Personal Independence Payment (“PIP”) and Employment and Support Allowance (“ESA”). |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
The activities Horizon undertakes in furtherance of its stated purpose fall under three main areas: Initial interview: conducted by volunteer advisers (each a “VA”) and supervised by a volunteering solicitor (each a “VS”), to ascertain facts of the case - VAs and solicitor review client case, and decide on merits of case; Drafting of documents: includes – claim forms, advice letters to client detailing merits of the case or lack thereof - tribunal submissions on behalf of client; and Tribunal representation: VA and/or VS attends tribunal with client, where case is heard at First Tier Tribunal. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The main activity undertaken by Horizon LAC is the provision of legal assistance to those eligible for the welfare benefits in the form of PIP, ESA and Universal credit related to health conditions, disability and sickness. |
The Trustees have regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | N/A |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | N/A |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | Volunteers (VAs, case co-ordinators and VSs) are instrumental to the smooth-functioning service offered by Horizon LAC. Their contribution extends to aspects such as: Coordination: liaising with referral agencies, calling clients to obtain basic overview of client issues for client appointments; Interviewing: VAs and VSs conduct client interview; and Admin and further legal work: VAs undertake important document management tasks as well as liaising with VS’ to further a clients’ case (e.g. from claim form filling, to drafting tribunal submissions on behalf of the client). Trustees have the responsibility to ensure correct policies are in place and are followed at all times, as well as being on hand to response to queries as they arise. In this way, they aim is to ensure delays are avoided and casework is properly allocated and managed. |
| Other | N/A |
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | Horizon LAC’s service was able to engage with 27 service user cases during the reporting period, of which 9 were new cases taken by Horizon LAC. In each of the cases Horizon LAC supports clients with claims and challenges to entitlement for PIP, ESA and UC related to health conditions and disability. Horizon LAC’s service was able to successfully close 10 service users’ cases during the reporting period, resulting in |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | Horizon LAC took on an additional 9 cases during the reporting period. Since the service provided by Horizon LAC started in 2016, it has provided relief of poverty for those claiming the relevant PIP and ESA benefits to approximately 140 cases, and achieving total benefit entitlement in excess of £1.4 million for those supported. This directly addresses Horizon LAC’s object of addressing and relieving poverty for its target service users (beneficiaries). |
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | We did not achieve our fundraising objective but we able to raise funds to the total amount of £23,130 during the reporting period. |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | N/A |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | The amount of £11,437.26, in the bank at the end of this reporting period. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | N/A |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | None. |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | We do not have reserves as such – monies held in Horizon LAC’s bank account goes towards ongoing or future costs. This includes purchase of legal resources (and subscriptions), monthly rent of premises, and paying the clinic supervisor (a welfare lawyer) and case coordinator responsible for overseeing and managing PIP, ESA and UC related to health and disability matters that we take on. |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | It is crucial for Horizon LAC to secure funding for paid co-ordination and management of the service offered by it. This is essential for: - referring clients and - liaising with referral agencies, - recruiting and inducting volunteer solicitors and advisers, and - supporting with the administration and management of client cases to successful results. Without this capacity the service provided by Horizon LAC will not be able to sustain a quality service which is effective for clients. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | During this period fundraising activities have taken place: through small trust and grant and donations from partner law firms and crowdfunding. |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | Fundraising for staff to take on co-cordination and administrative activity is vital for the sustainability of a good service. |
Other
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
N/A | |
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Constitution |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | 5 New Trustees were appointed on the basis of their ability to help build on making the service provided by Horizon LAC to become more sustainable. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Policies and procedures Para 1.51 adopted for the induction and training of trustees The charity’s organisational Para 1.51 structure and any wider network with which the charity works Relationship with any Para 1.51 related parties Other
Reference and Administrative details
| Charityname | Horizon Legal Advice Centre |
|---|---|
| Other name the charityuses | Horizon LAC |
| Registered charitynumber | 1165006 |
| Charity’s principal address | Mansfield House, 30 Avenons Road, London, E13 8HT, UK |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeremond During | Chair | From August 2020 | Quorate Trustee board | |
| Luljeta Nuzi | Trustee Support Lead |
From August 2020 | Quorate Trustee board | |
| Karolin Abbas | Digital Services Lead |
From August 2021 | Quorate Trustee board | |
| Paul Matthews | Vice chair | From August 2021 | Quorate Trustee board | |
| Neil McKnight | Secretary | From August 2021 | Quorate Trustee board | |
| George Kassimos | FundraisingLead | From August 2021 | Quorate Trustee board | |
| Swaz Sinha | Treasurer | From August 2021 | Quorate Trustee board |
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name N/A
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year N/A
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets N/A held in this capacity Name and objects of the N/A charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for N/A safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
| Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) |
|---|---|---|
| Type of adviser Name Address |
||
| Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information) | ||
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details N/A
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Full name(s) Neil McKnight Position (eg Secretary, Secretary Chair, etc) Date
Breakdown of income and expenditure cover period between: 25 October 2020 - 24 October 2021
| INCOME | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PERIOD (amounts in(£)) | TOTAL |
Additional notes(if any) | ||||||||||||
| Details | 25 October - 25 November 2020 |
26 November - 25 December 2020 |
26 December - 25 January 2021 |
26 January - 25 February 2021 |
26 February - 25 March 2021 |
26 March - 25 April 2021 |
26 April - 25 May 2021 |
26 May - 25 Jun 2021 |
26 June - 25 July 2021 |
26 July - 25 August 2021 |
26 August - 25 September 2021 |
26 September - 24 October 2021 |
||
| Morgan Lewis and Bockius | 0.00 | 2000.00 | 0.00 | 114.55 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2114.55 | |
| London Legal Support | 0.00 | 9832.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 9832.00 | |
| Just Giving | 0.00 | 444.95 | 101.40 | 146.75 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 424.53 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1117.63 | Two Just Giving payments made in period between 26 June - 25 July 2021 (inclusive)of £48.65 and £375.88 respectively. |
| Cambridge Global | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 10000.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 10000.00 | |
| TOTAL | 0.00 | 12276.95 | 101.40 | 261.30 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 10424.53 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 23064.18 | |
| Balance carried forward from previous reporting period: |
£2,276.98 3232.18 |
| EXPENDITURE | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PERIOD (amounts in(£)) | TOTAL |
Additional notes(if any) | ||||||||||||
| Details | 25 October - 25 November 2020 |
26 November - 25 December 2020 |
26 December - 25 January 2021 |
26 January - 25 February 2021 |
26 February - 25 March 2021 |
26 March- 25 April 2021 |
26 April - 25 May 2021 |
26 May - 25 June 2021 |
26 June- 25 July 2021 |
26 July - 25 August 2021 |
26 August - 25 September 2021 |
26 September - 24 October 2021 |
||
| Horizon LAC Clinic Supervising Solicitor | 400.00 | 400.00 | 400.00 | 400.00 | 400.00 | 400.00 | 400.00 | 400.00 | 400.00 | 400.00 | 400.00 | 400.00 | 4,800.00 | |
| Close access under Shpresa Programme | 257.00 | 257.00 | 257.00 | 257.00 | 257.00 | 257.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 257.00 | 274.93 | 137.44 | 137.44 | 2,348.81 | |
| Rent to landlord | 120.00 | 120.00 | 120.00 | 120.00 | 120.00 | 120.00 | 120.00 | 120.00 | 120.00 | 120.00 | 120.00 | 120.00 | 1,440.00 | |
| Hostegator (Horizon LAC website operator) | 0.00 | 64.17 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 61.10 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 125.27 | |
| Hostegator transaction fee (relates to operation of the Horizon LAC website) |
0.00 |
1.76 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1.68 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 3.44 | |
| Ledi (Horizon support) | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 100.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 100.00 | |
| Advice UK membership | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 258.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 3,788.40 | 0.00 | 4,046.40 | |
| Advice UK Insure | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 156.80 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 156.80 | |
| Horizon LAC case co-ordinator (Myra) | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 180.90 | 120.60 | 120.60 | 301.50 | 241.20 | 964.80 | Three payments of £60.30 made in period between 26 May - 25 June 2021 (inclusive); Two payments of £60.30 made in period between 26 June - 25 July 2021 (inclusive); Two payments of £60.30 made in period between 26 July - 25 August 2021 (inclusive); Five payments of £60.30 made in period between 26 August - 25 September 2021 (inclusive); and four payments of £60.30 made in period between 26 September - 25 October 2021 (inclusive). |
| Awards for Horizon LAC's volunteer advisors | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 481.40 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 481.40 | |
| TOTAL | 777.00 | 842.93 | 777.00 | 877.00 | 777.00 | 1,035.00 | 676.80 | 763.68 | 897.60 | 1,396.93 | 4,747.34 | 898.64 | 14,466.92 |
Horizon Legal Advice Clinic: Statement of Financial Activities (accounts)
Period : 25 Oct 2020 - 24 Oct 2021
| Unrestricted funds (£) Restricted funds (£) Endowment funds (£) Total funds (£) Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies 3,232.18 0.00 0.00 3,232.18 Charitable activities 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Other trading activities 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Investments 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Other 19,832.00 0.00 0.00 19,832.00 Total 23,064.18 0.00 0.00 23,064.18 Expenditure on: Raising funds 100.00 0.00 0.00 100.00 Charitable activities 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Other 14,366.92 0.00 0.00 14,366.92 Total 14,466.92 0.00 0.00 14,466.92 Net gains/(losses) on investments 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Net income/(expenditure) 8,597.26 8,597.26 Transfers between funds 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Other recognised gains/(losses): Gains/(losses) on revaluation of fixed assets 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Actuarial gains/(losses) on defined benefit pension schemes 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Other gains/(losses) 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Net movement in funds 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward £2,276.98 0 0 £2,276.98 Total funds carried forward £10,874.24 £10,874.24 |
Notes See tab entitled'Accounts breakdown' : Donations from Morgan Lewis and Just Giving See tab entitled'Accounts breakdown ': Payments from London Legal Support and Cambridge Global See tab entitled'Accounts breakdown' : Payment to Ledi (Horizon support) See tab entitled'Accounts breakdown' : Payments to Horizon LAC Clinic Supervising Solicitor, Close access under Shpresa Programme, Landlord (rent), Hostegator (Horizo Ledi (Horizon support), Advice UK (membership and insure), Horizon LAC Case Co-ordinator and purchase of awards for Horizon LAC's volunteer advisors |
|---|---|