Charity registration number 1203572 (England and Wales)
THE LAWS FOUNDATION
ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
THE LAWS FOUNDATION
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Trustees Mr D Laws Ms E R Laws Mr B T Laws Mr B J Wright Chair Mr D Laws Charity number (England and Wales) 1203572 Principal address 5a Bear Lane Southwark London United Kingdom SE1 0UH Independent examiner Prager Metis LLP 5a Bear Lane Southwark London United Kingdom SE1 0UH Bankers Coutts & Co 440 Strand London WC2R 0QS
THE LAWS 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 - 8 |
THE LAWS FOUNDATION
TRUSTEES' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2025.
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 governing document, the Charities Act 2011, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" 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)".
Objectives and activities
Public benefit
The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
Activities
The objective of the charity is to make contributions to a wide range of charitable causes. The trustees have absolute discretion in the choice of charitable institutions or charitable objects. The trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the Trust's aims and objectives and in planning future activities and setting the grant making policy for the year.
How our activities delivered public benefit
The benefit of the Trust's work is the funding provided to a wide range of charitable institutions to enable them to work for the public benefit.
Achievements and performance
Significant activities and achievements against objectives
In 2025, the charity made the following donations to individuals:
£ Deen City Farm 4,000 4,000
Financial review
Reserves policy
The charity's current policy is to spend reserves to support charities of the trustee's choosing and consequently these reserves are kept in interest-bearing bank accounts.
The main expenses related to accountancy fees.
The net surplus in the year was £233,728.
Structure, governance and management
The declaration of trust was dated 2 December 2022.
The governing document has no conditions restricting the powers of the Trustees except that it proves for application of the trust fund to "advance such charitable purposes as the Trustees see fit from time to time".
The trustees who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were: Mr D Laws
Ms E R Laws Mr B T Laws Mr B J Wright
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THE LAWS FOUNDATION
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
Recruitment and appointment of trustees
The charity has no staff. Charitable donations are made on the basis of recommendations received by the Trustees. Trustees are appointed by the board of trustees and serve for an indefinite term.
Other matters
Plans for the future
The Laws Foundation was established with the aim of providing charitable donations to charitable organisations. The trustees plan on distributing the funds held in the charity for the foreseeable future.
Risk Management
The trustees have considered the major risks to which the charity is exposed and have reviewed those risks and established systems and procedures to manage those risks.
In view of the diverse nature of the aims of the charity no operational risk has been identified.
Key management personnel remuneration:
The trustees consider the chairman as comprising the key management personnel of the charity in charge of directing and controlling the charity and running and operating the charity on a day to day basis.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
Mr D Laws
Chair
3 July 2026
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THE LAWS FOUNDATION
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE LAWS FOUNDATION
We report to the trustees on our examination of the financial statements of The Laws Foundation (the charity) for the year ended 30 September 2025.
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.
We report in respect of our examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out our examination we have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.
Independent examiner's statement
Your attention is drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared the financial statements in accordance with the relevant version of the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their financial statements 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. We understand that this has been done in order for the financial statements to provide a true and fair view in accordance with UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.
We have completed our examination. We confirm that no matters have come to our attention in connection with the examination giving us cause to believe that in any material respect:
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1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Charities Act 2011.
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2 the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
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3 the financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of financial statements set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the financial statements give a true and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
We 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.
Prager Metis LLP 5a Bear Lane Southwark London SE1 0UH United Kingdom 3 July 2026
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THE LAWS FOUNDATION
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
(INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | ||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| Notes | £ | £ | |
| Income and endowments from: | |||
| Donations and legacies | 2 | 187,500 | 1,669,478 |
| Other income | 3 | 52,988 | 53,025 |
| Total income | 240,488 | 1,722,503 | |
| Expenditure on: | |||
| Charitable activities | 4 | 6,760 | 19,498 |
| Total expenditure | 6,760 | 19,498 | |
| Net income and movement in funds | 233,728 | 1,703,005 | |
| Reconciliation of funds: | |||
| Fund balances at 1 October 2024 | 1,703,005 | - | |
| Fund balances at 30 September 2025 | 1,936,733 | 1,703,005 |
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
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THE LAWS FOUNDATION
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
| Notes Current assets Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 8 Net current assets The funds of the charity Unrestricted funds 9 |
2025 £ £ 1,939,493 (2,760) 1,936,733 1,936,733 1,936,733 |
2024 £ £ 1,708,405 (5,400) 1,703,005 1,703,005 1,703,005 |
2024 £ £ 1,708,405 (5,400) 1,703,005 1,703,005 1,703,005 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,703,005 | |||
| 1,703,005 |
The financial statements were approved by the trustees on 3 July 2026
Mr D Laws
Chair
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THE LAWS FOUNDATION
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
1 Accounting policies
Charity information
The Laws Foundation is a public benefit charity.
1.1 Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" 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)". 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 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.
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.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other 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 or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the charity has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset.
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.
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THE LAWS FOUNDATION
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
1 Accounting policies
(Continued)
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.
2 Income from donations and legacies
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | |
|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | |
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Donations and gifts | 187,500 | 1,669,478 |
| Other income | ||
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | |
| funds | funds | |
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Other income | 52,988 | 53,025 |
3 Other income
Other income relates to bank interest received during the year.
4 Expenditure on charitable activities
| Charitable | Charitable | |
|---|---|---|
| expenditure | expenditure | |
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Direct costs | ||
| Donations made | 4,000 | 10,000 |
| Share of support and governance costs | ||
| Governance | 2,760 | 9,498 |
| 6,760 | 19,498 | |
| Analysis by fund | ||
| Unrestricted funds | 6,760 | 19,498 |
Governance costs relate to accountancy fees of £2,760 (2024 - £4,098) and audit fees of £Nil (2024 - £5,400).
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THE LAWS FOUNDATION
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
5 Trustees
None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year.
6 Employees
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Number | Number | |
| Total | - | - |
There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000.
7 Taxation
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
8 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
| Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Accruals and deferred income | 2,760 | 5,400 |
9 Unrestricted funds
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
| At General funds Previous period: At General funds |
1 October 2024 Incoming resources Resources expended At 30 September 2025 £ £ £ £ 1,703,005 240,488 (6,760) 1,936,733 1 October 2023 Incoming resources Resources expended At 30 September 2024 £ £ £ £ - 1,722,503 (19,498) 1,703,005 |
|---|---|
10 Related party transactions
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2024 - none).
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