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2020-12-31-accounts

Company number: 615025 Charity number: 209425

The British Institute of International and Comparative Law

Report and financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2020

The British Institute of International and Comparative Law

Contents

For the year ended 31 December 2020

Reference and administrative information ...................................................................................... 1 Trustees’ annual report .................................................................................................................. 2 Independent auditor's report ........................................................................................................ 19 Statement of Financial Activities (incorporating an income and expenditure account) .................. 23 Balance Sheet ............................................................................................................................... 24 Statement of Cash Flows .............................................................................................................. 25 Notes to the financial statements ................................................................................................. 26

The British Institute of International and Comparative Law

Reference and administrative information

For the year ended 31 December 2020

Company number 615025 – Registered in the United Kingdom Charity number 209425 – Registered in England and Wales Registered office & Charles Clore House, 17 Russell Square operational address London, WC1B 5JP Trustees Trustees, who are also directors under company law, who served during the year and up to the date of this report, were as follows:

Professor Oladapo Akande Emeritus Professor John Bell Sonya Branch (to 07/12/2020) Professor Malik Dahlan Shaheed Fatima QC Philip Haberman (to 07/12/2020) Lord Lloyd Jones (to 22/09/2020) Sir Iain Macleod Professor Catherine O’Regan (to 07/12/2020) Nigel Parr Constantine Partasides Elizabeth Perks (from 07/12/2020) Keith Ruddock Chair Rupert Skilbeck (from 16/09/2020) Diana Wallis Andrew Whittaker (to 20/07/2020 Key Management Professor Spyros Maniatis Institute Director Personnel Patricia Ambrose Institute Deputy Director (to 31/12/2020) Peter Bond Chief Operating Officer (from 01/01/2021) Stephen Oates Director of Finance Bankers CAF Bank Limited HSBC plc 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill 1 Woburn Place, Russell Square West Malling, Kent, ME19 4JQ London, WC1H 0LQ Auditor Sayer Vincent LLP Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor Invicta House, 108-114 Golden Lane, London, EC1Y 0TL

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The British Institute of International and Comparative Law

Trustees’ annual report

For the year ended 31 December 2020

The Trustees are pleased to present their report and the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2020.

The reference and administrative information set out on page 1 forms part of this report. The financial statements comply with current statutory and company law requirements, the memorandum and articles of association and the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: SORP applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with FRS 102.

Objectives and activities

Purposes and aims

The British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL, the Institute) is an independent charitable research body. Our key purposes are to develop and advance the understanding of international and comparative law in the UK and around the world, and to promote the rule of law in national and international affairs. Through our work, we seek to improve decision-making on law and policy issues, and so have a positive impact on people’s daily lives.

Our organisational vision is for BIICL to be an independent leader in applied legal research and ideas: informing debate, policy and practice; upholding and maintaining humane and democratic values; promoting evidence-based decision-making; and contributing to the upholding of the international legal order and the rule of law in the UK and worldwide.

We aim to make a unique contribution as an independent and authoritative voice on international and comparative legal issues by:

BIICL has no recurrent core funding. We receive funding for our research and other activities from a wide variety of bodies, including research councils, law firms, national governments, international and regional organisations, private trusts and foundations, and non-governmental organisations, as well as BIICL members, training delegates and event attendees. In many instances, our research projects have more than one funder.

BIICL’s Strategic Plan 2019-2023 is organised under four main themes:

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The British Institute of International and Comparative Law

Trustees’ annual report

For the year ended 31 December 2020

The Strategic Plan highlights the context, key risks, opportunities and challenges for each of these themes and identifies objectives and targets to be achieved over the five year period.

The Trustees review progress against the Strategic Plan on a regular basis to ensure our activities are consistent with our aims and support our public benefit mission. This report considers what BIICL has achieved during 2020 and the outcomes, impacts and benefits of our work.

Principal Activities

Membership

BIICL membership is open to all people, both in the UK and around the world. Our members come from: legal practice (including solicitors and barristers); academia (staff and students); the judiciary; corporations and other commercial bodies; government and non-governmental organisations; and members of the wider public who are interested in the many aspects of international and comparative law.

Members benefit from access to BIICL’s research outcomes, as well as opportunities to contribute to specialist discussion groups and to network with the diverse range of people and organisations with whom we interact. The diversity of BIICL's membership, as well as the many non-members who attend our events, and our ability to engage across a broad range of international and comparative legal issues, ensures that BIICL remains a relevant and essential institution. We also convene Fora of experts in four areas (Business and Human Rights, Competition Law, Investment Treaty Law and Product Liability).

Research

BIICL’s research is co-ordinated via three Centres: International Law; Comparative Law; and the Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law. Our focus is primarily on practical and applied research, based on strong conceptual foundations, which offers examples of good practice, recommendations for future improvements and seeks to have an impact on law and policy. The research often crosses traditional boundaries of law, integrating private and public international law, for example, and engaging with national, regional and comparative law. Our research is always independent, irrespective of its funding source.

Events and Training

BIICL organises an extensive public events programme covering a broad spectrum of current legal topics within the areas of our expertise. These events typically include full day conferences, shorter seminars and lectures.

We also undertake a range of training activities to provide information, practical assistance and capacity building to governments, institutions, firms, corporations, groups, individuals and others. This training occurs in the UK and around the world.

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The British Institute of International and Comparative Law

Trustees’ annual report

For the year ended 31 December 2020

Publications

BIICL’s main publication is the International and Comparative Law Quarterly, which is produced by Cambridge University Press and is recognised as one of the leading journals in its field. BIICL also occasionally publishes books, mainly of our own research, as well as some by other experts in our fields of work. Most of our research projects also produce final reports, many of which are publicly available to download for free from our website (www.biicl.org).

Volunteers

BIICL offers flexible, part-time and short-term opportunities for people to volunteer for the charity (typically postgraduate law students) and to assist in our research and related activities. We aim to offer interesting and developmental opportunities that include training and skills development. During 2020, we benefited from the support of 11 research volunteers.

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Public Benefit

The Trustees confirm that they have paid due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission in deciding on BIICL’s activities. In particular, the Trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to our aims and objectives.

BIICL considers that its activities are of public benefit in at least the following ways:

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The British Institute of International and Comparative Law

Trustees’ annual report

For the year ended 31 December 2020

Some specific examples of the provision of public benefit through the activities carried out by BIICL in 2020 are provided below.

Achievements and performance

BIICL’s main activities and beneficiaries during the year are described below. All of our charitable activities focus on international and comparative law, and the rule of law, and are undertaken to further BIICL’s charitable purposes for the public benefit. The COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on our activities during 2020, with many of our events and training courses being delivered via online platforms. We were particularly successful at securing new research funding during this year, some of which was related to the implications of the pandemic in relation to international law and the rule of law. The BIICL team has risen superbly to the challenge of keeping our programme of research, events and training running during this challenging time and the trustees thank them for their resilience and energy and for all that they have achieved despite these very difficult circumstances.

Membership

BIICL membership (comprising both individuals and organisations) was 324 at the end of 2020 (2019: 320). Membership income was £50,033 (2019: £59,290), the decrease being due to a change in applicable VAT rates. We continue to focus on recruitment and retention of members within our Marketing Strategy.

During 2020, we continued to support four Forums in the areas of: Business and Human Rights; Competition Law; Investment Treaty Law; and Product Liability. All of our Forums make an important contribution to the work of BIICL, provide opportunities to explore current issues and prompt further research. Total Forum membership in 2020 was 110, comprising 79 organisations and 31 individuals (2019: 109, comprising 81 organisations and 28 individuals). Forum membership income was £253,633 in 2020 (2019: £190,538). (Income in 2019 was partly affected by the write-off of some old debtors.)

Research

BIICL continued to develop its active and responsive programme of practical and applied research during 2020. We received funding from several external organisations to support a diverse range of research topics, including work in the following areas:

The British Institute of International and Comparative Law

Trustees’ annual report

For the year ended 31 December 2020

supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, which explores the place of the natural gas produced from those hydrates in Japan’s overall energy policies, and how the country might best prepare for the onset of natural gas production from those offshore assets;

BIICL’s Annual Impact Reports provide further details of our achievements and research impacts. Copies may be downloaded from our website (www.biicl.org).

Events and training

BIICL’s programme of events and training underwent significant challenges and change during 2020. From the time of the first lockdown in March 2020, all events, conferences and training courses were provided online. Despite the challenges, BIICL continued to attract expert speakers from diverse backgrounds and experiences, and we saw significant growth in the global audience for our events.

Our popular short course, Public International Law in Practice, ran again in 2020. Other new short courses were provided during the year on Business and Human Rights, Climate Change Law and Law of the Sea. We also trialled a course in Comparative Business Law in partnership with ESCP Europe Business School.

2020 saw the launch of two online, remote learning courses. The first of these, Citizenship and the Rule of Law, was developed in collaboration with the University of London and Coursera and is aimed at (aspiring) lawyers, campaigners and students interested in learning more about the practical requirements of the Rule of Law and its application to everyday situations. The course has already engaged over 2,000 active learners and achieved more than 600 completions.

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The British Institute of International and Comparative Law

Trustees’ annual report

For the year ended 31 December 2020

Early in 2020, BIICL also launched an online course in International Investment Law and Dispute Resolution. By bringing together leading experts in the field, this course enables participants to understand the theory and practice of international investment law and dispute resolution. The course has proved to be popular with practitioners, leading law firms and governments from around the world, attracting over 5,000 learners since its launch.

Understandably, the impact of the pandemic was a significant theme running through many of our events in 2020. It featured in a diverse range of topics including: avoiding and minimising violations of international investment law; guidelines for the resolution of disputes in the pandemic; international and comparative perspectives on compensation schemes for COVID-19 vaccines; legislative responses to the coronavirus pandemic by different states; product liability and emergency products; and the impact of the pandemic on human trafficking. Early in the first lockdown, BIICL hosted a very popular webinar on COVID-19 and International Law: What went wrong? featuring a conversation between award-winning author and international lawyer, Philippe Sands, and the international health law expert and WHO former legal counsel, Gian Luca Burci.

Other significant themes covered in the events programme included climate change, artificial intelligence (AI), Big Data and modern slavery. Another topical issue was covered in a webinar on Toppled Statues and Monuments: Perspectives on the Global Movement Confronting Heritage.

In cooperation with the School of International Arbitration at Queen Mary University of London and Babcock University, BIICL organised the first African Arbitration Day, an authoritative conference on recent developments and topics of interest in international arbitration in Africa. The Annual Harry Weinrebe Memorial Lecture was held on the topic of Inclusivity and the Law: Do We Need to Prohibit Class Discrimination? BIICL and the Institute of Small and Micro States (ISMS) co-hosted a two-day conference on human rights as they relate to small and micro states, the fifth in a series of events on issues relating to small states.

In 2020, BIICL’s income from events and training courses was £183,251 (2019: £326,168). During the pandemic many events were provided as free online webinars or at a much reduced cost. There were 85 events during the year (2019: 68).

Publications

The International and Comparative Law Quarterly (ICLQ) continues to attract a very high standard of scholarship from around the world in the fields of public international law, private international law, comparative law, human rights law and European law. The journal is managed by an active Editorial Board of senior academics and retains its reputation as a world leading academic legal journal, with a high impact factor. A strict peer review system is operated to ensure that articles are selected purely on merit. This reflects the independence of the ICLQ and BIICL.

Cambridge University Press manages production, marketing and distribution of the ICLQ and provides additional support. Overall income from the ICLQ was £247K in 2020 (2019: £243K). In

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The British Institute of International and Comparative Law

Trustees’ annual report

For the year ended 31 December 2020

addition to the journal, BIICL occasionally publishes its own books. No new priced titles were published in 2020 (2019: 0). Income from book sales in 2020 was £5,712 (2019: £6,156).

BIICL also produces working papers, research reports, responses to government proposals and other submissions, many of which are freely available to download from our website. Staff also regularly publish their own research in other academic journals and books.

Public Benefit

Much of BIICL’s work makes an active contribution to our public benefit mission. Our diverse range of research, events, training and publications continues to enable increased public knowledge and awareness of important issues of international law, comparative law and the rule of law. We list below some selected examples of the impact of our work during 2020:

We measure our overall performance against the strategic aims and objectives set out in our Strategic Plan. Analysis of the second year of progress against our new Strategic Plan 2019-2023 illustrated a reasonable level of progress against our objectives and targets, despite the challenges of the pandemic. Some key indicators of progress during the year include:

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The British Institute of International and Comparative Law

Trustees’ annual report

For the year ended 31 December 2020

Beneficiaries of our services

Beneficiaries of BIICL’s research and other activities are diverse and include: legal practitioners; academics; the judiciary; corporations and other commercial bodies; government and nongovernmental organisations; and members of the wider public.

Financial review

The Statement of Financial Activities shows that overall income increased during 2020 by 40%, from £2,858K in 2019 to £3,998K in 2020. The net increase comprises a 20% decrease (£262K) in Unrestricted Fund income and a 91% increase (£1,402K) in Restricted Fund income.

Total expenditure increased by 18% to £3,336K (2019: £2,825K). Unrestricted Fund expenditure increased by 4% (£53K), and Restricted Fund expenditure increased by 30% (£458K).

The Institute has a surplus for the year on Unrestricted Funds of £11K (2019: surplus £161K) and a surplus on Restricted Funds of £698K (2019: net outgoing resources £19K). Total fund balances increased by £709K (2019: an increase of £142K) to £2,655K (2019: £1,946K). This was after taking into account net unrealised gains on investments of £48K (2019: net gains £109K).

Restricted Fund income has been recognised in accordance with the current Statement of Recommended Practice Accounting and Reporting by Charities (the Charities SORP). This treatment may mean that income is not recognised in the same period as the related expenditure. Over time Restricted Fund income should match expenditure, although significant surpluses or deficits may occur in certain years depending on the timing of income and expenditure.

The 2020 income on Restricted Funds primarily relates to:

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The British Institute of International and Comparative Law

Trustees’ annual report

For the year ended 31 December 2020

Programme

The Trustees reaffirmed BIICL’s investment policy, which seeks to produce the optimum total return, balanced between income and capital, from its investment portfolio. The performance of our investment funds is monitored by the Finance and Audit Committee for the Trustees. Our funds are invested in an investment fund for charities, which provides us with a suitable balanced portfolio coupled with ready liquidity. BIICL pursues an ethical investment strategy and our investment manager is committed to responsible investment as a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment.

The average yield on investments in 2020 was 2.0% (2019: 2.8%). The average (unrealised) movement in the market value of investments in 2020 was a 5.0% increase (2019: 12.9% increase).

Pensions

During 2020, BIICL participated in two funded pension schemes: one defined benefit scheme and one defined contribution schemes. Further details are provided in note 18 to the financial statements.

Principal risks and uncertainties

The Trustees operate a formal risk management process to assess business risks and implement risk management strategies. This involves identifying the risks faced by BIICL, prioritising these in relation to impact, likelihood of occurrence and overall risk level, and identifying mitigating factors and ways to manage the risks. In addition, all risks are owned by a member of BIICL’s management team. This risk register is regularly reviewed by the Finance and Audit Committee and by the Trustees, to ensure that it is kept up-to-date. As part of this process the Trustees have reviewed the adequacy of the Institute’s current internal controls and the costs of operating particular controls relative to the benefits obtained. Procedures have been established for reporting failings immediately to appropriate levels of management and to the Board of Trustees.

The Trustees consider that the lack of recurrent core funding represents a significant risk to the Institute. To mitigate this risk, the Trustees continue to seek core funding as a key part of our fundraising activity. During 2020, we continued to secure donations through our Appeals to assist with future growth of our strategic priority areas and to contribute towards major refurbishment costs.

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The British Institute of International and Comparative Law

Trustees’ annual report

For the year ended 31 December 2020

The financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant effect on the Institute’s finances in 2020, particularly with regard to income derived from events and training courses. The high risk of a continuing impact in 2021 was considered when setting the Institute’s operating budget for 2021 and substantial mitigation was achieved by re-designing the training programme to be delivered wholly online. This approach is likely to continue into 2022.

Taken together, the Trustees consider that the lack of recurrent core funding and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic could present a potential risk to the continued going concern status of the Institute in future years. The Trustees are mindful of this risk and have reviewed a financial scenario for 2022 which adopted a worst case scenario approach with regard to income streams that are volatile or unsecured, and identified mitigating actions which could be taken should the need arise. As a result, the Trustees consider that there are currently no material uncertainties about the Institute’s ability to continue as a going concern.

All fundraising and other income generation activities abide by our Guidelines for Ethical Funding.

In addition to our fundraising activities, we continue to diversify and seek new sources of income for our research and training activities.

Reserves policy

Free reserves available for use by BIICL are deemed to be those that are readily realisable, less those funds whose uses are restricted or designated for particular purposes. The calculation thus excludes funds of £1,616K (2019: £1,388K) invested in property and other fixed assets that will continue to be used in the day-to-day running of the Institute.

As a matter of policy, each year the Trustees review the value of the reserves retained in the form of investments, cash and cash equivalents not held for restricted purposes or designated projects. The Board of Trustees considers BIICL’s exposure to major risks in terms of their likely impact on its income sources and planned expenditure in the short to medium term, as well as assessing the best way to manage such risks.

The present target for free reserves is a minimum of 50% of the year’s audited figure for total unrestricted resources expended, to recognise the risks relating to lack of recurrent core funding and to enable the Institute to cope with any emergencies. As at 31 December 2020 this target equates to £679K (2019: £653K).

The exceptional expenditure on major building refurbishment in 2019 and 2020 represents a substantial investment in our office and event space in a building that has had no major improvements since it was built in the late 1970s. Trustees saw this investment as necessary to bring the building’s services and infrastructure up to 21st century standards. As a result, there has been a substantial increase in BIICL’s fixed assets; however free reserves did not decrease because they have been defined to exclude capital costs represented by fixed assets net of the associated loan.

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The British Institute of International and Comparative Law

Trustees’ annual report

For the year ended 31 December 2020

While we have excluded fixed assets when calculating our free reserves, in line with Charity Commission advice, our liquid assets have not in large part been committed to the fixed assets. As a consequence, applying this usual treatment does not fairly represent the underlying reality for the organisation. Our calculation of free reserves, therefore, now takes into account both the value of fixed assets and the value of a related loan from the University of London of £1,018K (2019: £775K).

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant effect on BIICL’s finances and activities during 2020. While income from our events and training has been considerably lower, this has been mitigated by providing many events and courses online. Research income is also significantly higher than budgeted and the BIICL 60+ Appeal has continued to bring in new unrestricted funding to the organisation. The capital spend on the refurbishment is an exceptional item and no further expenditure on this scale is expected for a considerable time. Trustees do, however, recognise that a key priority for the next few years will be to rebuild free reserves back to the target level as soon as practicable. This will be achieved through a variety of measures including income growth from new training activities, research funding, consultancy services, fundraising and international partnerships. Expenditure will be closely monitored by the Board and cost-cutting measures implemented, if necessary.

BIICL’s free reserves are calculated as follows:

BIICL’s free reserves are calculated as follows:
2020 2019
Total Total
£K £K
General funds at 31 December 382 356
Expendable endowment fund at 31 December 122 122
Free Reserves 504 478

The Trustees will continue to keep this policy under review.

Fundraising

BIICL undertakes a peer-to-peer approach to fundraising which is governed by our Guidelines on Ethical Funding. We have a small, in-house Development team of four staff, who operate with support from our trustees, senior staff and other volunteers (typically senior lawyers or former law firm partners). BIICL does not use any external fundraisers or other commercial participators.

We have received no complaints about our fundraising activity and there have been no failures to comply with fundraising standards or regulation. BIICL’s peer-to-peer approach to fundraising ensures that vulnerable people and other members of the public are protected from any unreasonable behaviour and intrusion. Our Donor Privacy Policy is available on our website.

Plans for the future

BIICL’s Strategic Plan 2019-2023 provides the framework to guide and inform our future plans. Like many other organisations, our programme of work continues to be affected by the COVID-19

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Trustees’ annual report

For the year ended 31 December 2020

pandemic. In response, as discussed earlier in this report, we have adapted our events and training activities and have worked hard to maximise our research income, including several new projects related to the impact of the pandemic. Some of our plans related to partnership working and new funding streams may take longer to be realised than we initially anticipated, but we have continued to develop new and existing relationships with both national and international partner organisations and universities. The contribution of our work to upholding international law and the rule of law has arguably never been more important, as States around the world struggle to find the most effective legislative and medical responses to the pandemic alongside other global challenges.

The Trustees are mindful of the risks presented by the Institute’s lack of recurrent core funding and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and recognise the need to develop new income-generating activities as part of the Institute’s business development strategy. This strategy includes:

Structure, governance and management

Trustees

BIICL is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association adopted on 2 October 1958 and last amended on 13 September 2010.

The present Trustees, and any past Trustees who served during the year, are listed on page 1 of this Annual Report, together with the Institute Director and key management personnel.

The Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall governance of the Institute and the total number of Trustees may not exceed eighteen. Trustees are in office for a term of three years and may not serve more than two consecutive full terms.

Trustees meet at least 4 times a year. Apart from the Annual General Meeting, these meetings consist of formal Board meetings, held every quarter. At these meetings, Trustees review and set overall strategy and operational performance, as well as review the direction of BIICL research, events and publications.

Effective partnership between Trustees and BIICL staff continues to contribute significantly to our success. The Board delegates the exercise of certain powers in connection with the management and administration of the Institute as set out below. This is monitored by regular reporting to the Board, and by receipt and discussion of reports by the Institute Director and other staff as required,

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Trustees’ annual report

For the year ended 31 December 2020

so that all decisions made under delegated powers can be ratified by the full Board in due course. In addition, each Trustee is a mentor to a member of the Institute’s staff. These measures ensure that Trustees have the necessary understanding for effective and informed decision-making.

Trustee Recruitment, Induction and Training

Trustees are nominated by the Board of Trustees and elected to the Board at BIICL’s Annual General Meeting. Generally, Trustees have already had an involvement with our activities, which ensures a broad understanding of BIICL’s work. Special advisors to the Board of Trustees are co-opted on an ad hoc basis. The Board is undertaking a review of its trustee recruitment processes during 2021 in accordance with BIICL’s new Diversity Policy.

All new Trustees receive a general induction to BIICL’s governance and operations by the Institute Director, Company Secretary and other senior staff. Training on specific matters is available, where appropriate. Sometimes this training takes the form of a presentation to the Board of Trustees by a guest speaker or a member of staff.

Finance and Audit Committee

The members of the Finance and Audit Committee are appointed by the Board of Trustees. The members during 2020 and 2021 were:

The Committee met 4 times during 2020. Meetings were also attended by the Institute Director, Institute Deputy Director, Director of Finance and the Director of the Bingham Centre.

Membership of the Committee shall include at least two BIICL Trustees (one of whom must be the Chair of the Committee). Other members shall comprise former Trustees or other independent external individuals with recent and relevant experience and expertise in finance, audit or other appropriate areas. Committee members should have no executive responsibility for the management of BIICL and no significant interests in the institution. The Chair of the Board of Trustees shall not be a member of the Committee. There shall be no fewer than five members. A quorum shall be at least three members (one of whom must be a Trustee).

Trustee member appointments to the Committee shall be in line with their Trustee terms of office. Other members shall be appointed for an initial term of three years and may serve for one further consecutive term. Appointments to the Committee are staggered to ensure some regular turnover of members.

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The British Institute of International and Comparative Law

Trustees’ annual report

For the year ended 31 December 2020

The Committee’s terms of reference are:

Financial issues

Audit issues

Research Ethics Committee

The Board of Trustees established a Research Ethics Committee in 2015, with responsibility for the development and implementation of policy and processes relating to research ethics.

Its terms of reference are:

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The British Institute of International and Comparative Law

Trustees’ annual report

For the year ended 31 December 2020

The Chair of the Committee is a Trustee or former Trustee appointed by the Board (Emeritus Professor John Bell). Other members comprise: one other BIICL Trustee; two lay members; the Institute Director; three Senior Research Fellows, at least one of whom will be from the Bingham Centre; and the Institute Deputy Director.

Advisory Panels

Advisory Panels operate in each of the main BIICL research areas, with Panel members appointed for their expertise in these fields of law.

Institute Director

The Institute Director is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Institute’s affairs and for implementing strategies agreed by the Board of Trustees. The Institute Director is assisted by a team of senior managers and senior researchers, with whom there are regular meetings.

Corporate Governance

Internal controls over all forms of financial commitments, obligations and expenditure continue to be refined to improve efficiency and as part of ongoing internal risk assessment processes. Policies and procedures are in place to ensure that performance is monitored and that appropriate management information is prepared and reviewed regularly by both senior management and the Board of Trustees.

The systems of internal control are designed to provide reasonable but not absolute assurance against material misstatement or loss. These are contained within BIICL’s Financial Regulations and Procedures and include:

All Trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits from the charity. Trustees’ expenses reimbursed in 2020 were £nil (2019: £4,155 for one trustee's travel and accommodation costs reimbursed in connection with a conference attendance and a business development trip to Hong Kong). No charity trustee received payment for professional or other services supplied to the charity (2019: £nil).

Related parties and relationships with other organisations

BIICL sometimes receives grants from The International Rule of Law Project Inc. (IROLP), a US public charity established by supporters of BIICL, tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the US Internal

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The British Institute of International and Comparative Law

Trustees’ annual report

For the year ended 31 December 2020

Revenue Code. IROLP is governed by its own independent Board, which includes the Institute Deputy Director (Patricia Ambrose). No grants from IROLP were received in 2020 (2019: no grants received).

Remuneration policy for key management personnel

The Finance and Audit Committee makes an annual recommendation to the Board of Trustees on the general principles to operate in relation to the remuneration of all staff, including key management personnel. In determining these general principles, the Finance and Audit Committee considers the following matters:

Once the Board of Trustees has agreed these principles, the Institute Director applies them to individual staff members as part of the annual review process. The salary of the Institute Director is decided by the Board of Trustees on the recommendation of the Chair of the Board, taking account of the same general principles.

Statement of responsibilities of the Trustees

The Trustees (who are also directors of the British Institute of International and Comparative Law for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ annual 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 Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which 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 Trustees are required to:

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The British Institute of International and Comparative Law

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For the year ended 31 December 2020

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that 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:

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.

Members of the charity guarantee to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 to the assets of the charity in the event of winding up. The total number of such guarantees at 31 December 2020 was 324 (2019: 320). The Trustees are members of the charity but this entitles them only to voting rights.

The Trustees have no beneficial interest in the charity.

Auditor

Sayer Vincent LLP was re-appointed as the charitable company's auditor during the year and has expressed its willingness to continue in that capacity.

The Trustees’ annual report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime.

The Trustees’ annual report has been approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by

20 September 2021 Keith Ruddock Chair of the Board of Trustees

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Independent auditor’s report

To the members of

The British Institute of International and Comparative Law

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of The British Institute of International and Comparative Law (the ‘charitable company’) for the year ended 31 December 2020 which comprise the statement of financial activities, balance sheet, statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 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:

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 British Institute of International and Comparative Law'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.

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

19

Independent auditor’s report

To the members of

The British Institute of International and Comparative Law

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:

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the 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 trustees’ annual 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:

20

Independent auditor’s report

To the members of

The British Institute of International and Comparative Law

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the statement of trustees’ responsibilities set out in the trustees’ annual report, 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 misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud are set out below.

Capability of the audit in detecting irregularities

In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, our procedures included the following:

21

Independent auditor’s report

To the members of

The British Institute of International and Comparative Law

operates in, focusing on those laws and regulations that had a material effect on the financial statements or that had a fundamental effect on the operations of the charity from our professional and sector experience.

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 is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s 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.

Joanna Pittman (Senior statutory auditor) 24 September 2021

for and on behalf of Sayer Vincent LLP, Statutory Auditor Invicta House, 108-114 Golden Lane, LONDON, EC1Y 0TL

22

The British Institute of International and Comparative Law

Statement of Financial Activities (incorporating an income and expenditure account)

For the year ended 31 December 2020

Note
Income from:
2
3
3
3
3
4
5a
5a
5a
5a
5a
6
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
Net gains on investments
Net income / (expenditure) for the
year
Total funds carried forward
Transfers between funds
Net movement in funds
Raising funds
Investments
Total income
Expenditure on:
Other Income
Total expenditure
Net income before net gains on
investments
Charitable activities
Conferences and seminars
Research programmes
Member services
Publications and journals
Conferences and seminars
Research programmes
Publications and journals
Member services
Donations and legacies
Charitable activities		 Unrestricted
£
89,651
303,666
257,983
150,406
209,405
18,998
19,446		 Restricted
£
481,242
-
6,100
32,845
2,427,396
633
-		 2020
Total
£
570,893
303,666
264,083
183,251
2,636,801
19,631
19,446		 Unrestricted
£
195,560
249,828
249,651
164,509
393,834
33,759
24,449		 Restricted
£
434,107
-
7,508
161,659
939,802
3,356
-		 2019
Total
£
629,667
249,828
257,159
326,168
1,333,636
37,115
24,449
1,049,555 2,948,216 3,997,771 1,311,590 1,546,432 2,858,022
162,688
291,386
114,431
198,337
591,810		 59,566
-
-
23,850
1,894,381		 222,254
291,386
114,431
222,187
2,486,191		 154,506
303,184
113,890
179,595
554,112		 77,400
-
-
170,950
1,271,409		 231,906
303,184
113,890
350,545
1,825,521
1,358,652 1,977,797 3,336,449 1,305,287 1,519,759 2,825,046
22,785
(309,097)		 24,938
970,419		 47,723
661,322		 51,834
6,303		 56,734
26,673		 108,568
32,976
(286,312)
297,500		 995,357
(297,500)		 709,045
-		 58,137
102,518		 83,407
(102,518)		 141,544
-
11,188
968,837		 697,857
976,813		 709,045
1,945,650		 160,655
808,182		 (19,111)
995,924		 141,544
1,804,106
980,025 1,674,670 2,654,695 968,837 976,813 1,945,650

All of the above results are derived from continuing activities. There were no recognised gains or losses other than those stated above. Movements in funds are disclosed in Note 20 to the financial statements.

23

The British Institute of International and Comparative Law

Balance Sheet

Balance Sheet
As at 31 December 2020 Company no. 615025
Note
Fixed assets:
12
13
Current assets:
14
Liabilities:
15
15
20a
Total unrestricted funds
General funds
Total charity funds
The funds of the charity:
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Net current assets
Total net assets
Creditors: amounts falling due after one year
Endowment funds
Unrestricted income funds:
Restricted income funds
Capital fund
Investments
Cash at bank and in hand
Tangible assets
Debtors		 £
216,326
2,043,071		 2020
£
1,615,833
997,283		 £
540,595
805,568		 2019
£
1,388,100
949,560
2,613,116
1,059,246		 2,337,660
382,990
2,259,397
1,200,151		 1,346,163
963,173
521,146
1,153,524		 496,208
480,605
1,017,667
2,654,695		 775,000
1,945,650
1,674,670
980,025		 976,813
968,837
598,166
381,859		 613,100
355,737
2,654,695 1,945,650

Approved by the trustees on 20 September 2021 and signed on their behalf by

Keith Ruddock Elizabeth Perks Chair of the Board of Trustees Trustee

24

The British Institute of International and Comparative Law

Statement of Cash Flows

For the year ended 31 December 2020

Net cash provided by financing activities
Analysis of cash and cash equivalents
Cash at bank and in hand
Total cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the
year
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year
Change in cash and cash equivalents due to
exchange rate movements
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash used in investing activities
Net cash provided by operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities:
Dividends, interest and rents from investments
Purchase of fixed assets
Net income for the reporting period
(as per the statement of financial activities)
Decrease in stocks
Decrease in debtors
Cash flows from financing activities:
Increase in loan borrowings
Increase / (decrease) in creditors
Depreciation charges
(Gains) on investments
Dividends and interest from investments
Loss on the disposal of fixed assets		 £
709,045
133,290
(47,723)
(19,446)
-
-
324,269
236,978		 £
1,336,413
(341,577)
242,667
2020		 £
141,544
45,008
(108,568)
(24,449)
29,924
1,663
71,044
(253,389)		 £
(97,223)
(1,346,679)
775,000
2019
19,446
(361,023)		 24,449
(1,371,128)
242,667 775,000
At 1 January
2020
£
805,568		 Other
changes
£
-
1,237,503
805,568
-		 (668,902)
1,474,470
-
2,043,071 805,568
Cash flows
£
1,237,503		 At 31
December
2020
£
2,043,071
805,568 1,237,503 - 2,043,071

25

The British Institute of International and Comparative Law

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2020

1 Accounting policies

a) Statutory information

The British Institute of International and Comparative Law is a charitable company limited by guarantee and is incorporated in the United Kingdom.

The registered office address and principal place of business is Charles Clore House, 17 Russell Square, London WC1B 5JP.

b) 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) - (Charities SORP FRS 102), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy or note.

In applying the financial reporting framework, the trustees have made a number of subjective judgements, for example in respect of significant accounting estimates. 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 nature of the estimation means the actual outcomes could differ from those estimates. Any significant estimates and judgements affecting these financial statements are detailed within the relevant accounting policy below.

c) Public benefit entity

The charitable company meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.

d) Going concern

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern. This assessment has been reached after preparing projections of the level of unrestricted reserves and cash up to 12 months beyond the date of signing annual financial statements, taking into account the financial effects of the Covid pandemic, future repayments due under the loan agreement with the University of London, general economic conditions and the future operating plans of the Institute. A worst case approach has been adopted with regard to income streams that are volatile or unsecured.

The trustees do not consider that there are any sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next reporting period.

e) Income

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

Income from government and other grants, whether ‘capital’ grants or ‘revenue’ grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.

For legacies, entitlement is taken as the earlier of the date on which either: the charity is aware that probate has been granted, the estate has been finalised and notification has been made by the executor(s) to the charity that a distribution will be made, or when a distribution is received from the estate. Receipt of a legacy, in whole or in part, is only considered probable when the amount can be measured reliably and the charity has been notified of the executor’s intention to make a distribution. Where legacies have been notified to the charity, or the charity is aware of the granting of probate, and the criteria for income recognition have not been met, then the legacy is a treated as a contingent asset and disclosed if material.

Income received in advance of the provision of a specified service is deferred until the criteria for income recognition are met.

26

The British Institute of International and Comparative Law

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2020

1 Accounting policies/continued

Donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised as income when the charity has control over the item or received the service, any conditions associated with the donation have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use by the charity of the item is probable and that economic benefit can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), volunteer time is not recognised; more information about their contribution may be found in the trustees’ annual report.

On receipt, donated gifts, professional services and donated facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity, which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.

g) Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.

Unrestricted funds are donations and other incoming resources received or generated for the charitable purposes.

i) Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT

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. Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings:

Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost of the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.

j) Grants payable

Grants payable do not represent grant-giving activities by the charity but relate to the transfer of third party project funding to project partners. Expenditure related to grants payable is recognised in accordance with the agreed payment schedule or time period of each grant.

k) Allocation of support costs

Resources expended are allocated to the particular activity where the cost relates directly to that activity. The cost of overall direction and administration of each activity, comprising the salary and overhead costs of the central function, is apportioned pro rata to the staffing levels of the relevant activity.

Rental charges are charged on a straight line basis over the term of the lease.

n) Tangible fixed assets

Items of equipment are capitalised where the purchase price exceeds £500. Depreciation costs are allocated to activities on the basis of the use of the related assets in those activities. Assets are reviewed for impairment if circumstances indicate their carrying value may exceed their net realisable value and value in use. Major components are treated as separate assets where they have significantly different patterns of consumption of economic benefits and are depreciated separately over their useful lives.

Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write down the cost of each asset to its estimated residual value over its expected useful life. The depreciation rates in use are as follows:

20 years 3 years

5 years

27

The British Institute of International and Comparative Law

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2020

1 Accounting policies/continued

Investments are a form of basic financial instrument and are initially recognised at their transaction value and subsequently measured at their fair value as at the balance sheet date using the closing quoted market price. Any change in fair value is recognised in the statement of financial activities and any excess of fair value over the historical cost of investments is included in reserves. Investment gains and losses, whether realised or unrealised, are combined and shown in the heading “Net gains/(losses) on investments” in the statement of financial activities. The charity does not acquire put options, derivatives or other complex financial instruments.

p) 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.

q) Cash at bank and in hand

Cash includes short term highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

r) Creditors and provisions

Creditors and provisions 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 and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

s) Financial instruments

Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value. Other financial instruments such as loans are initially recognised at the present value of future cash payments discounted at a market interest rate, and are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

t) Pensions

The Institute participates in the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), a defined benefit scheme which is externally funded and contracted out of State Pension (S2P). The assets of the scheme are held in a separate trustee-administered fund. Because of the mutual nature of the scheme, the scheme's assets are not hypothecated to individual institutions and a scheme-wide contribution rate is set. The Institute is therefore exposed to actuarial risks associated with other institutions' employees and is unable to identify its share of the underlying assets and liabilities of the scheme on a consistent and reasonable basis and, as required by FRS 102 Section 28, accounts for the scheme as if it were a defined contribution scheme. As a result, the amount charged to the SOFA represents the contributions payable to the scheme in respect of the accounting period.

The Institute also operates one defined contribution scheme. The amount charged to the SOFA represents the contributions payable to the scheme in respect of the accounting period.

28

The British Institute of International and Comparative Law

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2020

2
60th Anniversary Appeal
Bingham Centre donations
Bingham Centre Business Network
Clore Duffield Foundation
Other donations
3
Income from charitable activities
Income from donations and legacies
Total income from donations and
legacies
Forum memberships
Institute memberships
Sub-total for Member services
International law short courses
Investment treaty law events
Public international law events
European law events
ICLQ journal royalties and other
income
Comparative law events
Publication sales
Publication royalties
Sub-total for Publications and
journals
Private international law events
Bingham Centre rule of law events
WTO law events
Other events
Sub-total for Conferences and
seminars
Funding from:
Overseas NGOs, trusts and
foundations
UK NGOs, trusts and foundations
Law firms
Overseas government departments
UK research councils
UK government departments
Companies
Other sources
Sub-total for Research programmes
Total income from charitable
activities		 Unrestricted
£
49,110
-
-
-
40,541		 Restricted
£
250,000
90,344
85,000
47,500
8,398		 2020
Total
£
299,110
90,344
85,000
47,500
48,939		 Unrestricted
£
143,463
-
-
-
52,097		 Restricted
£
125,000
198,097
105,000
-
6,010		 2019
Total
£
268,463
198,097
105,000
-
58,107
89,651 481,242 570,893 195,560 434,107 629,667
Unrestricted
£
253,633
50,033		 Restricted
£
-
-		 2020
Total
£
253,633
50,033		 Unrestricted
£
190,538
59,290		 Restricted
£
-
-		 2019
Total
£
190,538
59,290
303,666
247,668
5,712
4,603		 -
-
-
6,100		 303,666
247,668
5,712
10,703		 249,828
243,167
6,156
328		 -
-
-
7,508		 249,828
243,167
6,156
7,836
257,983
-
3,866
75,002
16,741
7,009
3,149
4,504
9,555
30,580		 6,100
-
32,845
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 264,083
-
36,711
75,002
16,741
7,009
3,149
4,504
9,555
30,580		 249,651
6,500
29,679
32,360
33,862
10,969
3,647
7,775
11,583
28,134		 7,508
-
-
-
-
161,659
-
-
-
-		 257,159
6,500
29,679
32,360
33,862
172,628
3,647
7,775
11,583
28,134
150,406
106,138
-
57,700
-
-
-
33,869
11,698		 32,845
551,218
264,062
-
144,750
1,392,606
28,122
-
46,638		 183,251
657,356
264,062
57,700
144,750
1,392,606
28,122
33,869
58,336		 164,509
147,458
-
46,000
173,274
2,973
4,000
3,366
16,763		 161,659
348,804
46,425
80,211
97,514
304,313
8,290
-
54,245		 326,168
496,262
46,425
126,211
270,788
307,286
12,290
3,366
71,008
209,405 2,427,396 2,636,801 393,834 939,802 1,333,636
921,460 2,466,341 3,387,801 1,057,822 1,108,969 2,166,791

29

The British Institute of International and Comparative Law

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2020

Income from investments
Bank interest
Dividends received from investments
Interest received from investments		 Unrestricted
£
16,393
3,033
20		 Restricted
£
-
-
-		 2020
Total
£
16,393
3,033
20		 Unrestricted
£
20,582
3,280
587		 Restricted
£
-
-
-		 2019
Total
£
20,582
3,280
587
19,446 - 19,446 24,449 - 24,449

30

The British Institute of International and Comparative Law

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2020

5a Analysis of expenditure (current year)

Staff costs (Note 8)
Direct costs
Grants payable (Note 7)
Support costs:
- Other staff costs
- General fundraising and marketing costs
- Property costs
- Communication costs
- Other office costs
- Depreciation and losses on disposals
- Other costs
Governance costs
Total expenditure 2020
Total expenditure 2019		 Raising funds
£
146,267
5,303
-
54,937
1,755
(3,383)
4,116
804
8,878
2,635
942		 Charitable activities Charitable activities 2020
Total
£
2,102,829
515,491
407,818
73,880
26,344
(50,771)
61,785
12,075
133,290
39,559
14,149		 2019
Total
£
1,851,158
586,168
-
97,916
42,612
67,770
56,288
14,882
74,932
19,525
13,795
Member
services
£
211,210
57,755
-
1,771
2,301
(4,434)
5,396
1,055
11,640
3,456
1,236		 Publications
and journals
£
79,548
26,078
-
695
904
(1,741)
2,119
414
4,572
1,357
485		 Conferences
and seminars
£
161,204
43,886
-
1,354
1,754
(3,381)
4,114
804
8,876
2,634
942		 Research
programmes
£
1,504,600
382,469
407,818
15,123
19,630
(37,832)
46,040
8,998
99,324
29,477
10,544
222,254 291,386 114,431 222,187 2,486,191 3,336,449 2,825,046
231,906 303,184 113,890 350,545 1,825,521 2,825,046

Staff costs £2,102,829 (2019 £1,851,158) include costs of support staff £817,891 (2019 £778,995)

Other staff costs comprises: temporary staff, recruitment costs, staff travel, accommodation, subsistence and entertaining, and staff professional fees, training and conference costs.

Property costs include the removal of a previous accrual of £84,000 made in respect of the Institute's potential contribution to the costs of the University of London's ongoing programme of building renovation at Charles Clore House. The accrual related to work completed in 2012. The accrual has been removed as the Institute has now reached a final agreement with the University of London regarding its liability for renovation costs.

Governance costs include audit fees of £13,550 (2019: £13,469) and Board of Trustees meeting costs of £nil (2019: £4,155).

31

The British Institute of International and Comparative Law

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2020

5a Analysis of expenditure (prior year)

Staff costs (Note 8)
Direct costs
Support costs:
- Other staff costs
- General fundraising and marketing costs
- Property costs
- Communication costs
- Other office costs
- Depreciation and losses on disposals
- Other costs
Governance costs
Total expenditure 2019		 Raising funds
£
173,030
6,024
21,626
4,295
7,383
6,133
1,622
8,164
2,128
1,501		 Charitable activities Charitable activities Research
programmes
2019
Total
£
£
1,291,197
1,851,158
274,767
586,168
56,553
97,916
32,090
42,612
46,858
67,770
38,918
56,288
10,290
14,882
51,810
74,932
13,499
19,525
9,539
13,795
1,825,521
2,825,046
Member
services
£
211,896
45,641
13,483
2,573
8,112
6,738
1,781
8,970
2,337
1,653		 Publications
and journals
£
75,653
25,381
2,267
2,628
2,183
1,813
479
2,413
629
444		 Conferences
and seminars
£
99,382
234,355
3,987
1,026
3,234
2,686
710
3,575
932
658
231,906 303,184 113,890 350,545

Staff costs £1,851,158 (2019 £1,851,158) include costs of support staff £778,995 (2019 £778,995)

Other staff costs comprises: temporary staff, recruitment costs, staff travel, accommodation, subsistence and entertaining, and staff professional fees, training and conference costs.

Governance costs include audit fees of £13,469 (2019: £13,469) and Board of Trustees meeting costs of £4,155 (2019: £4,155).

32

The British Institute of International and Comparative Law

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2020

6 Net outgoing resources for the year

This is stated after charging / (crediting):

This is stated after charging / (crediting):
2020 2019
£ £
Depreciation 133,290 45,008
Loss on disposal of fixed assets - 29,924
Operating lease rentals:
Property 1 1
Other 636 625
Auditor's remuneration:
Audit fee 9,500 9,000
Under-accrual for audit fee in prior year 4,050 4,469
Foreign exchange losses / (gains) 18,656 (1,015)

7 Analysis of grants payable

The funding provided by the Arts and Humanities Research Council for the Modern Slavery Policy and Evidence Centre included funding for some activities that are to be carried out by partner institutions. Funds payable to those partner institutions are as follows:


institutions are as follows:
University of Liverpool
University of Nottingham
University of Hull
The Alan Turing Institute
Royal Holloway University of London
Bonavero Institute of Human Rights, University of Oxford		 2020
£
86,105
77,139
73,327
92,378
14,525
64,344		 2019
£
-
-
-
-
-
407,818 -

Staff costs were as follows:

Staff costs were as follows:
Salaries and wages
Social security costs
Employer’s contributions to defined contribution pension schemes
Employer’s contributions to defined benefit pension scheme
Termination costs
Other forms of employee benefits		 2020
£
1,789,924
171,519
107,377
32,441
-
1,568		 2019
£
1,544,295
150,468
95,117
29,851
29,750
1,677
2,102,829 1,851,158

The termination costs were settled and paid at the balance sheet date.

33

The British Institute of International and Comparative Law

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2020

8 Analysis of staff costs, trustee remuneration and expenses, and the cost of key management personnel/continued

The following number of employees received employee benefits (including salary, but excluding employer's national insurance contributions and employer pension contributions) during the year between:

2020 2019
No. No.
£60,000 - £69,999 2 3
£70,000 - £79,999 - 1
£120,000 - £129,999 1 1
£150,000 - £159,999 1 1

The total employee benefits, including employer's national insurance contributions and employer's pension contributions, of the key management personnel were £497,733 (2019: £573,195).

The charity trustees were not paid and did not receive any other benefits. Trustees expenses reimbursed in 2020 were £nil (2019: £4,155 for one trustee's travel and accommodation costs reimbursed in connection with a conference attendance and a business development trip to Hong Kong). No charity trustee received payment for professional or other services supplied to the charity (2019: £nil).

9 Staff numbers

The average number of employees during the year was as follows:

Raising funds (Including marketing)
Publications and journals
Conferences and seminars
Research programmes
Support
Member services		 2020
Employed
No.
4.7
3.3
1.3
3.6
25.8
2.1		 2020
FTE (*)
No.
3.8
3.0
1.2
3.5
22.0
1.7		 2019
Employed
No.
5.4
3.7
1.1
1.7
21.7
4.4		 2019
FTE (*)
No.
4.3
2.9
0.9
1.3
17.1
3.4
40.8 35.2 38.0 29.9

10 Related party transactions

In 2019 an interest-free loan of £7,113 was made to the International Rule of Law Project Inc., a non-profit organisation incorporated in the United States of America for the purpose of raising funds for the charity. The Company Secretary of the British Institute of International and Comparative Law is one of the three directors of this company. The loan is repayable at such point as funds become available and the position will be reviewed annually. The outstanding balance of the loan at the end of the year was £7,113 (2019: £7,113). Aggregate donations from related parties were £nil (2019: £nil).

11 Taxation

The charitable company is exempt from corporation tax as all its income is charitable and is applied for charitable purposes.

34

The British Institute of International and Comparative Law

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2020

12 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets
At the start of the year
At the end of the year
Eliminated on disposal
At the end of the year
At the end of the year
At the start of the year
Charge for the year
Cost or valuation
At the start of the year
Net book value
Depreciation
Additions
Disposals		 Improvements
to leasehold
property
£
1,275,000
316,339
-		 Computer
equipment
£
183,833
26,376
-		 Office
equipment,
fixtures and
fittings
£
85,353
18,308
(5,411)		 Total
£
1,544,186
361,023
(5,411)
1,591,339 210,209 98,250 1,899,798
10,625
81,112
-		 124,643
35,912
-		 20,818
16,266
(5,411)		 156,086
133,290
(5,411)
91,737 160,555 31,673 283,965
1,499,602 49,654 66,577 1,615,833
1,264,375 59,190 64,535 1,388,100

All of the above assets are used for charitable purposes.

The Institute assessed the cost of improvements to leasehold property made in 2019 to be £1,275,000. Additional costs of £290,167 were capitalised in 2020 in accordance with the final determination of the costs payable to the University of London.

13 Listed investments

13
Listed investments
14
Fair value of investments at the start of the year
Net gain on change in fair value
Debtors
Investments comprise:
Fair value of investments at the end of the year
Disposal proceeds
UK Investment Companies
Trade debtors
Other debtors
Prepayments
Accrued income		 2020
£
949,560
-
47,723		 2019
£
840,992
-
108,568
997,283 949,560
2020
£
997,283		 2019
£
949,560
997,283 949,560
2020
£
17,393
13,095
18,856
166,982		 2019
£
61,881
13,874
17,317
447,523
216,326 540,595

35

The British Institute of International and Comparative Law

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2020

15
16
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Accruals
Deferred income (Note 17)
Other creditors
Trade creditors
Loan from University of London
Grants payable
Taxation and social security
Creditors: amounts falling due after one year		 2020
£
62,173
52,288
182,533
319,591
240,004
343,562		 2019
£
49,047
47,496
108,362
-
242,196
516,072
1,200,151 963,173
2020
1,017,667		 2019
775,000

The University of London loan creditor £1,017,667 relates to the cost of leasehold improvement works carried out to the Institute's offices in 2019. The final cost of the works was £1,565,167 and the Institute made an interim payment of £500,000 to the University during 2019, leaving a remaining creditor of £1,065,167. A further repayment of £47,500 was made in 2020, reducing the creditor to £1,017,667. The University has made a loan to the Institute of £1,017,667 at an interest rate of 6%, repayable over 10 years commencing January 2022 .

17 Deferred income

Balances at the beginning of the year:
Member services
Publications and journals
Conferences and seminars
Research programmes
Rental services
Amounts released to income in the year
Amounts deferred in the year
Balance at the end of the year
Analysis of deferred income balances at the end of the year:
Member services
Conferences and seminars
Research programmes
Deferred income comprises:		 2020
£
184,497
-
10,792
320,783
-		 2019
£
175,284
3,730
21,745
231,918
10,000
516,072
(516,072)
343,562		 442,677
(440,551)
513,946
343,562 516,072
170,365
-
173,197		 184,497
10,792
320,783
343,562 516,072

36

The British Institute of International and Comparative Law

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2020

18 Pension schemes

The Institute participates in the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), a defined benefit scheme which is contracted out of the State Second Pension (S2P). The assets of the scheme are held in a separate fund administered by the trustee, Universities Superannuation Scheme Limited. The Institute is required to contribute a specified percentage of payroll costs to the pension scheme to fund the benefits payable to the Institute's employees. In 2020 the percentage was 21.1% . The Institute is unable to identify its share of the underlying assets and liabilities of the scheme on a consistent and reasonable basis and therefore, as required by FRS 102 Section 28, accounts for the scheme as if it were a defined contribution scheme.

The total cost charged to the SOFA in respect of this scheme was £32,441 (2019: £29,851), as shown in note 6. This includes £nil (2019: £3,933) outstanding contributions at the balance sheet date.

The latest available triennial actuarial valuation of the scheme was carried out as at 31 March 2018. At the valuation date, the value of the assets of the scheme was £63.7 billion and the value of the scheme's technical provisions was £67.3 billion indicating a shortfall of £3.6 billion. The assets therefore were sufficient to cover 95% of the benefits which had accrued to members after allowing for expected future increases in earnings.

The Institute also makes contributions to one defined contribution scheme. Contributions charged to the SOFA for this scheme represent the various contributions payable to the scheme in respect of the accounting period. The total cost charged to the SOFA was £107,377 (2019: £95,117), as shown in note 7. This includes £nil (2019: £nil) outstanding contributions at the balance sheet date.


contributions at the balance sheet date.
Employer contributions to defined contribution schemes
Employer contributions to the USS defined benefit scheme
Average number of Institute members of USS defined benefit scheme
Average number of Institute members of defined contribution schemes		 2020
£
32,441
107,377		 2019
£
29,851
95,117
139,818 124,968
2020
No.
1
34		 2019
No.
1
31
35 32

19a Analysis of net assets between funds (current year)

Tangible fixed assets
Investments
Net current assets
Net assets at the end of the year
Creditors: amounts falling due after
one year		 General
£
-
476,137
(94,278)
-		 Capital
£
1,615,833
-
-
(1,017,667)		 Endowments
£
-
521,146
-
-		 Restricted
£
-
-
1,153,524
-		 Total funds
£
1,615,833
997,283
1,059,246
(1,017,667)
381,859 598,166 521,146 1,153,524 2,654,695

19b Analysis of net assets between funds (prior year)

Tangible fixed assets
Investments
Net current assets
Net assets at the end of the year
Creditors: amounts falling due after
one year		 General
£
-
453,352
(97,615)
-		 Capital
£
1,388,100
-
-
(775,000)		 £
-
496,208
-
-
Endowments		 Restricted
£
-
-
480,605
-		 Total funds
£
1,388,100
949,560
382,990
(775,000)
355,737 613,100 496,208 480,605 1,945,650

37

The British Institute of International and Comparative Law

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2020

20a Movements in funds (current year)

Total endowment funds
Total restricted income funds
Total restricted funds
Capital fund
General funds
Restricted income funds:
Global Rule of Law Exchange
All-Party Parliamentary Group on the
Rule of Law
Endowment funds:
Bingham Centre Appeal - Phase 2
Independent Commission on UK
Counterterrorism Legislation, Policy
and Practice
Rule of Law Monitoring Project
Sybil Shine Memorial Trust Youth and
Public Engagement Programme
Mainstreaming the Rule of Law
RECONNECT (H2020)
Total funds
Unrestricted funds:
Total unrestricted funds
Dorset Foundation Public Events Space
Clore Duffield Foundation
Designated fund - 60th Anniversary
Appeal
Arthur Watts Fellowship - Phase 2
Big Data and Algorithms
Removal of Judges
Sybil Shine Memorial Trust
Bluston Charitable Foundation
Modern Slavery Policy and Evidence
Centre
Strengthening the Rule of Law in the
Gambia
Global Promotion of the Rule of Law
Trafficking in Persons
Sunley-Percy Rugg
Sunley-Sebag Shaw
Barnett Shine		 At 1 January
2020
£
187,338
187,338
121,532		 Income and
gains
£
12,469
12,469
-		 Expenditure
and losses
£
-
-
-		 Transfers
£
-
-
-		 At 31
December
2020
£
199,807
199,807
121,532
496,208 24,938 - - 521,146
30,257
12,395
-
53,476
-
107,175
14,125
61,604
4,056
-
-
-
-
69,481
128,036
-
-
-
-		 428,744
-
20,000
8,398
23,212
36,598
90,000
210,885
24,686
125,000
100,000
25,000
47,500
144,750
1,367,921
16,522
124,000
95,000
60,000		 (456,930)
-
(1,493)
(29,664)
(23,212)
(22,544)
(91,150)
(202,564)
(28,742)
-
-
-
-
(146,100)
(822,991)
(16,522)
(40,300)
(79,397)
(16,188)		 -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(125,000)
(100,000)
(25,000)
(47,500)
-
-
-
-
-
-		 2,071
12,395
18,507
32,210
-
121,229
12,975
69,925
-
-
-
-
-
68,131
672,966
-
83,700
15,603
43,812
480,605 2,948,216 (1,977,797) (297,500) 1,153,524
976,813 2,973,154 (1,977,797) (297,500) 1,674,670
-
613,100
355,737		 24,110
-
1,048,230		 -
-
(1,358,652)		 (24,110)
(14,934)
336,544		 -
598,166
381,859
968,837 1,072,340 (1,358,652) 297,500 980,025
1,945,650 4,045,494 (3,336,449) - 2,654,695

38

The British Institute of International and Comparative Law

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2020

20b Movements in funds (prior year)

Total endowment funds
Total restricted income funds
Total restricted funds
Designated office refurbishment fund
Capital fund
General funds
Dorset Foundation Public Events Space
Trafficking in Persons
London Conference on International
Law
Mainstreaming the Rule of Law
Restricted income funds:
Bingham Centre Appeal - Phase 2
Global Rule of Law Exchange
Endowment funds:
Sunley-Percy Rugg
Global Promotion of the Rule of Law
Big Data and Algorithms
Designated fund - 60th Anniversary
Appeal
Total funds
Removal of Judges
Strengthening the Rule of Law in the
Gambia
Unrestricted funds:
Modern Slavery Policy and Evidence
Centre
All-Party Parliamentary Group on the
Rule of Law
Arthur Watts Fellowship - Phase 2
Failure to Prevent
RECONNECT (H2020)
Sunley-Sebag Shaw
Barnett Shine
Total unrestricted funds		 At 1 January
2019
£
158,971
158,971
121,532		 Income and
gains
£
28,367
28,367
-		 Expenditure
and losses
£
-
-
-		 Transfers
£
-
-
-		 At 31
December
2019
£
187,338
187,338
121,532
439,474 56,734 - - 496,208
238,935
12,395
9,150
148,319
9,291
-
64,901
10,774
34,126
-
28,559
-
-
-
-		 534,434
-
-
6,010
161,659
46,425
54,246
89,881
81,257
41,954
83,484
125,000
97,514
216,278
8,290		 (735,183)
-
(9,150)
(105,058)
(170,950)
(54,354)
(11,972)
(86,530)
(53,779)
(60,231)
(107,987)
-
(28,033)
(88,242)
(8,290)		 (7,929)
-
-
4,205
-
7,929
-
-
-
18,277
-
(125,000)
-
-
-		 30,257
12,395
-
53,476
-
-
107,175
14,125
61,604
-
4,056
-
69,481
128,036
-
556,450 1,546,432 (1,519,759) (102,518) 480,605
995,924 1,603,166 (1,519,759) (102,518) 976,813
-
500,000
91,904
216,278		 143,463
-
-
1,219,961		 -
-
-
(1,305,287)		 (143,463)
(500,000)
521,196
224,785		 -
-
613,100
355,737
808,182 1,363,424 (1,305,287) 102,518 968,837
1,804,106 2,966,590 (2,825,046) - 1,945,650

Purposes of endowment funds:

Permanent: The Sunley-Percy Rugg and the Sunley-Sebag Shaw Endowment Funds

The Bernard Sunley Charitable Foundation established two Endowment Funds in 1982, namely:

The funds were established to recognise the contributions of Sir Percy Rugg and the Rt. Hon. Sir Sebag Shaw and were received by the Institute over the period from 1982 to 1991.

39

The British Institute of International and Comparative Law

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2020

Purposes of endowment funds/continued:

Each fund is owned and administered by the Institute and consists of £199,807 (2019: £187,338) held in perpetuity for the permanent endowment of the Institute. Income arising from the funds is applied for the general purposes of the Institute.

The assets of each fund are held in listed investments. At the end of the year the fair value of these investments had increased by £12,469 (2019: increased £28,367) for each fund. Therefore each fund increased in value by £12,469 in respect of unrealised gains (2019: £28,367 unrealised gains).

Expendable: The Barnett Shine Charitable Foundation

This fund was originally established as the Shine Denning Endowment Fund of the British Institute of International and Comparative Law in 1982. A total of £300,000 was donated over the period from 1982 to 2000, to provide income to the Institute for its general purposes, including “the provision of financial or material assistance to the Institute”, but with the power to “apply the whole or any part of the Trust Fund whether capital or income in or towards the implementation of any one or more of the objects of the Trust”. Income arising from the funds is applied for the general purposes of the Institute. A transfer from expendable endowments of £178,468 was made in 2000 to settle a deficit on unrestricted funds. This left a balance of £121,532 which has remained unaltered since then.

Purposes of restricted funds: current year

Phase 2 of the Bingham Centre Appeal was launched in May 2013 to raise further funds to sustain the Centre beyond Phase 1.

The Bingham Centre receives grants from the Jones Day Foundation in respect of specific Global Rule of Law Exchange international conferences.

The Legal Education Foundation funded secretariat support for the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Rule of Law.

Phase 2 of the Arthur Watts Fellowship Appeal was launched in December 2014 to raise further funds to sustain the Fellowship beyond Phase 1.

The Legal Education Foundation provided funding to devise a strategy for mainstreaming the rule of law in Parliament.

The European Union provided funding for a collaborative research project RECONNECT (H2020) led by the University of Leuven.

The Jones Day Foundation provided funding for the global promotion of the rule of law for the period September 2018 to August 2021.

The Foundation Open Society Institute and the Digital Freedom Fund provided funding for a research project on big data and algorithms.

Hogan Lovells International provided funding for the Failure to Prevent research project.

The Arts and Humanities Research Council provided funding for the Removal of Judges research project.

The Dorset Foundation provided funds for the creation of a new public events space in Charles Clore House to be known as the Harry Weinrebe Room.

The Sybil Shine Memorial Trust provided funds for the establishment of a new resources and meeting room within Charles Clore House.

The Bluston Charitable Foundation provided funds for the creation of a new meeting room in Charles Clore House to be known as the Bluston Hub.

The Clore Duffield Foundation provided funds of £500,000 to the University of London in respect of the refurbishment of Charles Clore House. In line with the agreed apportionment to the Institute of 9.5% of the cost of works to common parts of the building, the University has allocated £47,500, being 9.5% of the value of the donation, to the Institute.

40

The British Institute of International and Comparative Law

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2020

Purposes of restricted funds: current year/continued

The United States of America Department of State provided funding for a Trafficking in Persons research project.

The Arts and Humanities Research Council provided funding for the establishment of a Modern Slavery Policy and Evidence Centre.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office provided funding for a project to strengthen the rule of law through the Gambia's constitutional reform process.

The Independent Commission on UK Counterterrorism Legislation, Policy and Practice is funded by Barrow Cadbury Trust, the Open Society Initiative for Europe, the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust and Unbound Philanthropy.

The Rule of Law Monitoring Project is funded by the David and Elaine Potter Foundation, the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust and AB Charitable Trust

The Sybil Shine Memorial Trust provided funding for a Youth and Public Engagement Programme.

Purposes of restricted funds: prior year

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office provided funding for a London conference to be held in October 2019 on international law.

Hogan Lovells International provided funding for the Failure to Prevent research project.

Unrestricted funds: current year

A designated fund established in respect of funds raised from the 60th Anniversary Appeal was used to provide funds towards the refurbishment of the Institute's office space, the creation of a new conference and events suite, and the development of new programmes of research, training and events.

Unrestricted funds: prior year

A designated fund was established in respect of funds raised from the 60th Anniversary Appeal, which was used to provide funds towards the refurbishment of the Institute's office space, the creation of a new conference and events suite, and the development of new programmes of research, training and events.

A designated fund for refurbishment of £500,000, established in 2018 in respect of the cost of the planned refurbishment of the Institute's offices and events space, was fully expended during the year by an interim payment of £500,000 to the University of London.

Capital Fund

The capital fund represents the net book value of fixed assets less the value of the University of London creditor £1,017,667 (2019: £775,000) associated with the cost of leasehold improvements.

Transfers between funds: current year

Restricted funds given by the Dorset Foundation, the Sybil Shine Memorial Trust, the Bluston Charitable Foundation and the Clore Duffield Foundation specifically to fund aspects of the refurbishment of Charles Clore House have been transferrred from restricted funds to unrestricted funds in recognition that the purpose for which the funds were given, namely the completion of the refurbishment, has been satisfied.

Funds received from the 60th Anniversary Appeal have been transferred from designated funds to general unrestricted funds, as these funds are to be applied for the general purposes of the Institute.

Transfers between funds: prior year

Restricted funds given by the Dorset Foundation specifically to fund aspects of the refurbishment of Charles Clore House have been transferrred from restricted funds to unrestricted funds in recognition that the purpose for which the funds were given, namely the completion of the refurbishment, has been satisfied.

Funds received from the 60th Anniversary Appeal have been transferred from designated funds to general unrestricted funds, as these funds are to be applied for the general purposes of the Institute.

The designated office refurbishment fund was transferred to capital funds, as the funds were used to make an initial payment in respect of the capital works carried out to Charles Clore House.

41

The British Institute of International and Comparative Law

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2020

21 Operating lease commitments

The charity's total future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:

960
One to five years
Over five years
Less than one year		 Property Property Equipment Equipment
2020
£
1
4
49		 2019
£
1
4
50		 2020
£
640
960
-		 2019
£
75
-
-
54 55 1,600 75

22 Legal status of the charity

The charity is a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital. The liability of each member in the event of winding up is limited to £1.

42