Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From Period start date To Period end date
25[th] October 2022 24[th] October 2023
Charity name: Horizon Legal Advice Clinic
Charity registration number: 1165006
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference |
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|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | For the public benefit, the relief of individuals in need by reason of financial hardship (clients) through the provision of free legal advice. Financial hardship for the purposes of this Annual Report means those individuals who would not otherwise have the financial means to obtain legal advice. Horizon Legal Advice Clinic (“Horizon LAC”) provides its service to clients for free and focuses on the disability impact assessment elements of Personal Independence Payment, Employment and Support Allowance, Disability Living Allowance and Universal Credit (collectively referred to as “Disability Related Benefits”). |
| 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 |
In furtherance of Horizon LAC’s stated purpose, teams (of one or more volunteer advisors supervised by one or more volunteering solicitors) undertake various activities including: •the interviewing of, and liaison with, clients to review, gather evidence for and assess the facts of a Disability Related Benefits claim; and •the drafting, by such teams, of advice letters to clients and the preparation of claim forms and appeal tribunal submissions on behalf of clients. |
| 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 Disability Related Benefits. 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 |
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|---|---|---|
| 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 | All of the work of Horizon LAC is conducted by volunteers. The: •client team volunteers, •case managers, and •Trustees, respectively: 1. provide Horizon LAC’s service directly to clients; 2. coordinate and facilitate the provision of that service; and 3. oversee the provision of Horizon LAC’s service. For consultancy fee costs, Horizon LAC engages a specialist welfare benefits solicitor to supervise the legal aspects of the provision of its service to clients. |
| Other | N/A |
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference |
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|---|---|---|
| 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 | Helping clients obtain the Disability Related Benefits they are entitled to has a personal, direct and significant positive on their financial circumstances and the alleviation of the impact of their disabilities. Clients also report that Horizon LAC’s work leads to the intangible benefits of clients feeling listened to and supported in a complex and often impersonal claims procedure and at a time when their own personal resources may be under strain. Horizon LAC contributes to a wider social benefit in helping to ensure that the intended distribution of benefits to those most in need and as enacted in the public welfare benefits system, is effected. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference |
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|---|---|---|
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | The objectives of Horizon LAC focus on the individual needs of its clients and servicing as many clients as volunteer, administrative and funding resources permit. |
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | As the cash balance carried over from the previous financial reporting period was adequate for its purposes, Horizon LAC minimised fundraising activity over this financial reporting period. |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | |
| Other | ||
| Financial Review | ||
| SORP reference |
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| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | The amount of £ 13,222.24, is in the bank at the end of this financial reporting period. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | Horizon LAC does not hold reserves. |
| Amount of reserves held |
Para 1.22 | None. |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | Horizon LAC does not hold reserves. Monies held in its bank account are used to fund ongoing or future costs. This includes purchase of legal resources (and subscriptions), registered office costs, insurance and advance agreed clinic legal supervisor consultancy fees. |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | Horizon LAC is dependent upon: •discretionary financial contributions for its income, and •volunteer commitments for human resources, but mitigates these risks by managing its client commitment undertakings on an ongoing basis. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference |
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|---|---|---|
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | As the cash balance carried over from the previous financial reporting period was adequate for its purposes, Horizon LAC minimised fundraising activity over this financial reporting period. A small private charitable grant was however gratefully received during this financial reporting period. |
| 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 | Horizon LAC is dependent upon: •discretionary financial contributions for its income, and •volunteer commitments for human resources, but mitigates these risks by managing its client commitment undertakings on an ongoing basis. |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| SORP reference |
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|---|---|---|
| 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 | During this financial reporting period, Horizon LAC’s trustees were re-appointed on the basis of their ability to help Horizon LAC fulfil its purpose. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference |
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|---|---|---|
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | |
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Horizon Legal Advice Centre |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | Horizon LAC |
| Registered charity number | 1165006 |
| Charity’s principal address | 3rd Floor, 86-90 Paul Street, London, EC2A 4NE, UK |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity (during the period)
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeremond During | Chair | 25 October 2022 to 8 August 2023 |
Quorate Trustee board |
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| Karolin Abbas | Digital Services Lead |
Quorate Trustee board |
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| Paul Matthews | Vice Chair/ now Chair |
Quorate Trustee board |
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| Neil McKnight | Secretary | Quorate Trustee board |
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| George Kassimos | Fundraising Lead | Quorate Trustee board |
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| Swaz Sinha | Treasurer | 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 held in this capacity |
N/A |
|---|---|
| Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects |
N/A |
| Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets |
N/A |
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 |
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| 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) SWAZ SINHA Full name(s) SWAZ SINHA Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc)[ Treasurer ] Date 23 August 2024
| Financial accounts: Horizon Legal Advice Clinic (Charity number: 1165006) ("Horizon LAC") (2022 - 2023) | Financial accounts: Horizon Legal Advice Clinic (Charity number: 1165006) ("Horizon LAC") (2022 - 2023) | Financial accounts: Horizon Legal Advice Clinic (Charity number: 1165006) ("Horizon LAC") (2022 - 2023) | Financial accounts: Horizon Legal Advice Clinic (Charity number: 1165006) ("Horizon LAC") (2022 - 2023) | Financial accounts: Horizon Legal Advice Clinic (Charity number: 1165006) ("Horizon LAC") (2022 - 2023) | Financial accounts: Horizon Legal Advice Clinic (Charity number: 1165006) ("Horizon LAC") (2022 - 2023) | Financial accounts: Horizon Legal Advice Clinic (Charity number: 1165006) ("Horizon LAC") (2022 - 2023) | Financial accounts: Horizon Legal Advice Clinic (Charity number: 1165006) ("Horizon LAC") (2022 - 2023) | Financial accounts: Horizon Legal Advice Clinic (Charity number: 1165006) ("Horizon LAC") (2022 - 2023) | Financial accounts: Horizon Legal Advice Clinic (Charity number: 1165006) ("Horizon LAC") (2022 - 2023) | Financial accounts: Horizon Legal Advice Clinic (Charity number: 1165006) ("Horizon LAC") (2022 - 2023) | Financial accounts: Horizon Legal Advice Clinic (Charity number: 1165006) ("Horizon LAC") (2022 - 2023) | Financial accounts: Horizon Legal Advice Clinic (Charity number: 1165006) ("Horizon LAC") (2022 - 2023) | Financial accounts: Horizon Legal Advice Clinic (Charity number: 1165006) ("Horizon LAC") (2022 - 2023) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| INCOME | ||||||||||||||
| PERIOD(amounts in (£)) | ||||||||||||||
| Details of income: | Financial reporting period:25 October 2022 - 24 October 2023 (inclusive) | |||||||||||||
| 25 October - 24 November 2022 |
25 November - 24 December 2022 |
25 December2022- 24 January 2023 |
25 January - 24 February 2023 |
25 February - 24 March 2023 |
25 March - 24 April 2023 |
25 April - 24 May 2023 |
25 May - 24 June 2023 |
25 June - 24 July 2023 |
25 July - 24 August 2023 |
25 August - 24 September 2023 |
25 September - 24 October 2023 |
TOTAL | ADDITIONAL NOTES(if any) | |
| London Legal Support | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £298.75 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £298.75 | As the cash balance carried over from the previous financial reporting period was adequate for its purposes, Horizon LAC minimised fundraising activity over this financial reporting period. |
| TOTAL | £0.00 |
£0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £298.75 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
Balance carried forward from previous reporting period (25 October 2021 - 24 October 2022):
£21,593.82
| EXPENDITURE | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PERIOD(amounts in (£)) | ||||||||||||||
| Details of expenditure: | Financial reporting period:25 October 2022 - 24 October 2023 (inclusive) | |||||||||||||
| 25 October - 24 November 2022 |
25 November - 24 December 2022 |
25 December2022- 24 January 2023 |
25 January - 24 February 2023 |
25 February - 24 March 2023 |
25 March - 24 April 2023 |
25 April - 24 May 2023 |
25 May - 24 June 2023 |
25 June - 24 July 2023 |
25 July - 24 August 2023 |
25 August - 24 September 2023 |
25 September - 24 October 2023 |
TOTAL | ADDITIONAL NOTES(if any) | |
| 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 | |
| Rent forpreviouspremises | £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(operator of the Horizon LACwebsite) |
£0.00 | £76.91 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £75.25 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £152.16 | |
| Hostegator transaction fee (related to the operation of the Horizon LACwebsite) |
£0.00 | £2.11 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £2.06 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £4.17 | |
| HSBC bank charges | £5.00 | £5.00 | £5.00 | £5.00 | £5.00 | £5.00 | £5.00 | £5.00 | £5.00 | £5.00 | £5.00 | £5.00 | £60.00 | |
| Advice UK Insurance | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £2,214.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £2,214.00 | |
| TOTAL | £525.00 | £604.02 | £525.00 | £525.00 | £525.00 | £525.00 | £525.00 | £602.31 | £525.00 | £2,739.00 | £525.00 | **£525.00 ** | £8,670.33 |
Balance at end of the reporting period: as at 24 October 2023
£13,222.24
Horizon Legal Advice Clinic ("Horizon LAC"): Statement of Financial Activities (accounts)
Financial reporting period : 25 October 2022 - 24 October 2023
| Unrestricted funds (£) Restricted funds (£) Endowment funds (£) Total funds (£) Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 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 298.75 0.00 0.00 298.75 Total 298.75 0.00 0.00 298.75 Expenditure on: Raising funds 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Charitable activities 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Other 8670.33 0.00 0.00 8,670.33 Total 8,670.33 0.00 0.00 8,670.33 Net gains/(losses) on investments 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Net income/(expenditure) 8,371.58 0.00 0.00 8,371.58 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 21,593.82 0.00 0.00 21,593.82 Total funds carried forward 13,222.24 0.00 0.00 13,222.24 |
Additional notes(if any) See tab entitled'Accounts breakdown' :Grant from London Legal Support As the cash balance carried over from the previous financial reporting period was adequate for its purposes, Horizon LAC minimised fundraising activity over this financial reporting period. See tab entitled'Accounts breakdown' :Payments to Horizon LAC Clinic Supervising Solicitor, Rent for previous premises, Hostegator (Horizon LAC website operator), Advice UK insurance and HSBC bank charges. |
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