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2023-03-31-accounts

Charity registration number 1200108

ANIMAL LAW FOUNDATION

ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

ANIMAL LAW FOUNDATION

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees Mr R Allen (Appointed 18 August 2022)
V Johansson (Appointed 31 August 2022)
C Labchuk (Appointed 31 August 2022)
Charity number 1200108
Registered office 1-7 Station Road
Crawley
West Sussex
RH10 1HT
Independent examiner Darren Harding ACA FCCA DChA
Richard Place Dobson Services Limited
1-7 Station Road
Crawley
West Sussex
RH10 1HT

ANIMAL LAW FOUNDATION

CONTENTS

Page
Trustees' report 1 - 2
Independent examiner's report 3
Statement of financial activities 4
Balance sheet 5
Notes to the financial statements 6 - 11

ANIMAL LAW FOUNDATION

TRUSTEES' REPORT

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the Period ended 31 March 2023.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's CIO (Foundation) constitution, the Charities Act 2011 and "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 objects of the charity are:

1, To advance the education of the public in relation to animal protection law, in particular but not exclusively by :

2, To relieve the suffering and distress of animals by providing information and education to the public as to the legal frameworks in place to protect animals and promote their welfare.

3, To promote humane behaviour towards animals and the prevention of cruelty and suffering among animals by promoting legal compliance with the law through facilitating the enforcement and interpretation of animal protection law.

The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.

The Animal Law Foundation is a legal research charity that looks into neglected areas and where appropriate will bring legal challenges to enforce the law.

Achievements and performance

In this past year, The Animal Law Foundation has continued to work on The Enforcement Problem, the issue of poor enforcement of animal laws being the foundation of all our work. The organisation has also launched two legal initiatives against the cruel killing practices used for crustaceans, such as crabs and lobsters and an initiative that aims to see the minimal legal protections that apply to farmed fish being understood and enforced.

Some examples of what we have been up to

Financial review

During the first period to 31st March 2023 the charity made a surplus of £69,990, of which £30,336 were restricted funds.

The trustees are currently in the process of setting up a reserves policy.

Structure, governance and management

The charity is a charitable incorporated organisations governed by a CIO (foundation) constitution registered on 18th August 2022 with charity number 1200108.

The trustees who served during the Period and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:

Mr R Allen (Appointed 18 August 2022) V Johansson (Appointed 31 August 2022) C Labchuk (Appointed 31 August 2022) G Groves (Appointed 18 August 2022 and resigned 20 February 2024)

page 1

ANIMAL LAW FOUNDATION

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Our founding trustees selected two additional trustees that brought great value to the charity due to their experience in animal law and fundraising. Future trustees will be selected from successful candidates that apply to an ad for the role.

The organisation is run by Edie Bowles.

The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

.............................. Mr R Allen Trustee 4 March 2024 Date: .............................................

page 2

ANIMAL LAW FOUNDATION

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF ANIMAL LAW FOUNDATION

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Animal Law Foundation (the charity) for the Period ended 31 March 2023.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act).

I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

Your attention is drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared financial statements in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has now been withdrawn.

I understand that this has been done in order for financial statements to provide a true and fair view in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

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 financial statements to be reached.

Darren Harding ACA FCCA DChA

Richard Place Dobson Services Limited 1-7 Station Road Crawley West Sussex RH10 1HT

Dated: .........................4 March 2024

page 3

ANIMAL LAW FOUNDATION

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2023
2023
Notes
£
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
3
41,127
35,142
Investments
4
165
-
Total income
41,292
35,142
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
5
1,638
4,806
Net income for the Period/
Net movement in funds
39,654
30,336
Fund balances at 18 August 2022
-
-
Fund balances at 31 March 2023
39,654
30,336		 Total
2023
£
76,269
165
76,434
6,444
69,990
-
69,990

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the Period.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

page 4

ANIMAL LAW FOUNDATION

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 MARCH 2023

2023
Notes
£
Current assets
Cash at bank and in hand
201,815
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
10
(131,825)
Net current assets
Income funds
Restricted funds
12
Unrestricted funds
The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on .........................
..............................
Mr R Allen
Trustee
4 March 2024		 £
69,990
30,336
39,654
69,990

page 5

ANIMAL LAW FOUNDATION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

1 Accounting policies

Charity information

Animal Law Foundation is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.

1.1 Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's CIO (foundation) constitution, the Charities Act 2011, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "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). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.

The financial statements have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a true and fair view. This departure has involved following the Statement of Recommended Practice for charities applying FRS 102 rather than the version of the Statement of Recommended Practice which is referred to in the Regulations but which has since been withdrawn.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2 Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

1.3 Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

1.4 Income

Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

Donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under gift aid is reconognised at the time of the donation.

Grants are recognised at the fair value of the asset or income received or receivable when there is reasonable assurance that the grant conditions will be met and the grants will be received.

A grant that specifies performance conditions is recognised in income when the performance conditions are met. Where a grant does not specify performance conditions it is recognised in income when the proceeds are received or receivable or when the related expenditure has been spent. A grant received before the recognition criteria are satisfied is recognised as a liability.

page 6

ANIMAL LAW FOUNDATION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

1.5 Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, 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 classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.

1.6 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

page 7

ANIMAL LAW FOUNDATION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

3 Donations and legacies

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2023
2023
£
£
Donations and gifts
386
-
Grants
40,741
35,142
41,127
35,142
4
Investments		 Total
2023
£
386
75,883
76,269
Unrestricted
funds
2023
£
Interest receivable 165
5 Charitable activities
Charitable
Expenditure
Heading 1
2023
£
Direct exppenditure 4,038
Share of governance costs (see note 6) 2,406
6,444
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds 1,638
Restricted funds 4,806
6,444

page 8

ANIMAL LAW FOUNDATION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

6 Support costs

Support costs
Governance
costs
£
£
Independent Examiner Fees
-
2,400
Bank Charges
-
6
-
2,406
Analysed between
Charitable activities
-
2,406		 2023
£
2,400
6
2,406
2,406

7 Trustees

None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the Period.

8 Employees

The average monthly number of employees during the Period was:

2023 Number

Total -

There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000.

9 Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.

10 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Notes
Deferred income
11
Accruals and deferred income		 2023
£
129,425
2,400
131,825

page 9

ANIMAL LAW FOUNDATION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

11
Deferred income
Other deferred income
Deferred income is included in the financial statements as follows:
Deferred income is included within:
Current liabilities
Movements in the Period:
Deferred income at 18 August 2022
Resources deferred in the Period
Deferred income at 31 March 2023		 2023
£
129,425
2023
£
129,425
-
129,425
129,425

12 Restricted funds

The income funds of the charity include restricted funds comprising the following unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust for specific purposes:

Movement in funds Movement in funds
Balance at Incoming Resources Balance at
18 August 2022 resources expended 31 March 2023
£ £ £ £
Animal Welfare Fund - 24,000 (4,806) 19,194
Fish Farming Fund - 11,142 - 11,142
- 35,142 (4,806) 30,336

The Animal Welfare Fund represents funds to bring farm animal welfare legal interventions and challenge.

The Fish Farming Fund is for the research into fish farming legal interventions and if possible conducting such interventions.

page 10

ANIMAL LAW FOUNDATION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

13
Analysis of net assets between funds
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
2023
2023
£
£
Fund balances at 31 March 2023 are represented by:
Current assets/(liabilities)
39,654
30,336
39,654
30,336		 Total
2023
£
69,990
69,990

14 Related party transactions

There were no disclosable related party transactions during the period.

page 11