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2020-12-31-accounts

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 214508

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

FOR THE MEDICO-LEGAL SOCIETY

THE MEDICO-LEGAL SOCIETY

CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2020

Page
Report of the Trustees 1 to 5
Report of the Independent Examiner 6
Statement of Financial Activities 7
Statement of Financial Position 8
Notes to the Financial Statements 9 - 11

THE MEDICO-LEGAL SOCIETY

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

for the year ended 31 December 2020

The Medico-Legal Society is an unincorporated registered charity (No. 214508) governed by Rules of the Society as updated on 1 October 2019.

The Medico-Legal Society’s registered address is:

89 Elm Bank Gardens London SW13 0NX

TRUSTEES

The following Council members have served as trustees throughout 2020

Sir Robert Francis QC Dr Tania Francis Mrs Anne Raikes Mr Simon Readhead QC Professor Harry Zeitlin

COUNCIL MEMBERS

The following individuals were council members for the period 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2020:

Mr Daniel Haines - Past President Dr Roy Palmer – Past President Mr Bertie Leigh – Past President Dr Tania Francis Mr Charles Bennett Dr James Pattison Dr Sarah Galbraith Dr Chris Martin Ms Evelyn Palmer Mr Simon Readhead QC Mr Tim Hogman Professor Harry Zeitlin

President: Professor Harry Zeitlin Honorary Treasurer: Mrs Anne Raikes Editor – Medico Legal Journal: Mrs Diana Brahams Honorary Medical Secretary: Dr Gerrard Burnett Honorary Legal Secretary Ms Sandra Marcantonio

There were no changes in Council members in 2020.

Page 1

THE MEDICO-LEGAL SOCIETY

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES – CONTINUED for the year ended 31 December 2020

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER

Lawrence Melinek 7 Helenslea Avenue London NW11 8NE

Page 2

THE MEDICO-LEGAL SOCIETY

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES – CONTINUED for the year ended 31 December 2020

The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2020. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015).

OBJECTIVES

The object of the society is to promote Medico-Legal knowledge in all its aspects. This is to be achieved by holding meetings at which papers are read and discussed. There have been no material changes in policy since the last report.

PUBLIC BENEFIT TEST

Section 17(5) of the Charities Act 2011 requires charity trustees to have due regard to the public benefit guidance issued by the Charity Commission under section 17(1) of that Act in exercising their powers or duties. The trustees confirm that they have referred to this guidance when reviewing the organisation’s aims and objectives, in planning future activities and generally in exercising any powers and duties to which the guidance is relevant.

RULES OF THE SOCIETY

New Rules of the Society, following a full review by the Council during 2019 and as adopted at the AGM on 13 June 2019, came into force from 1 October 2019. The main new provisions of these were:

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES

The trustees are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including Financial Reporting Standard 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland".

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales, the Charities Act 2011, Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed 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 charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to

Page 3

THE MEDICO-LEGAL SOCIETY

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES – CONTINUED for the year ended 31 December 2020

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER

The Board of Trustees is delighted that Lawrence Melinek continues as independent examiner in 2020

REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES BY THE HONORARY LEGAL SECRETARY

In the year ending the 31[st] December 2020, there were 36 new membership applications, 32 full memberships and four student memberships. This was slightly lower than 2019, when there were 39 new members, 36 full and three student members.

The Society held nine meetings during 2020, prior to which the Council met on each occasion. The April meeting was held slightly later than planned. Unfortunately due to Covid and the ‘lockdown’ the Society was unable to hold its usual programme of events in April and May. It was, however, able to put together a panel discussion in time for the June event and the annual general meeting of the Society.

The autumn programme continued as planned but meetings were held remotely.

During 2020 the Society was again fortunate to be addressed by a number of distinguished speakers:

January 2020: Clem Maddock Consultant Psychiatrist, ‘Capacity Conflict and Compensation’

February 2020: Frances Crook, Chief Executive of The Howard League for Penal Reform ‘The Penal System- a Suitable Case for Treatment

March 2020: Bahar Ata, Director of Public Law and Immigration Law, Duncan Lewis Solicitors ‘The Importance of the Medico-Legal Relationship in Immigration Law’

June 2020: Dr Rachel Clarke, Palliative Care Doctor, Nageena Khalique Q.C. and Dr Kathleen Liddell, Director of the Centre for Law, Medicine and Life Sciences at the University of Cambridge.

From October 2020, when the new programme of events started, the following presentations were made remotely:

October 2020: Presidential Address Professor Harry Zeitlin, ‘Expert Witnesses, Past, Present and Future’

November 2020: Dr Margaret Brearley, ‘The Consequences of Torture’

December 2020: Professor Robin Ferner, Honorary Consultant Physician and Clinical Pharmacologist ‘Medicines and Murder’

The Annual General Meeting of the Society was held on 11 June 2020.

Page 4

THE MEDICO-LEGAL SOCIETY

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES – CONTINUED for the year ended 31 December 2020

In May 2020 the Society launched a new and improved website and also developed an online presence which by 31 December 2020 had attracted 53 followers.

REVIEW OF THE FINANCIAL POSITION BY THE HONORARY TREASURER

Income exceeded expenses by £3,240 in 2020 compared with deficit of £7,494 in 2019. This turnaround was a direct result of the pandemic in 2020 and in moving lectures online rather than holding them in central London.

The Council had been aware of a continuing trend of operating losses and has taken steps to reduce costs and encourage new members to join in order to counter this.

2020 was a difficult year for investments, mainly the effect of the pandemic buy the value as at end December showed an overall increase of £1,549 over that at the end of 2019. In 2019, the value increased by £9,647.

The Society was fortunate to receive £28,850 from the Clinical Disputes Forum in 2019. £25,000 of this was invested in March 2020, after most of the pandemic-related fall in markets, in BlackRock Charities Growth and Income Fund. By the end of 2020, this investment was valued at £32,652.

The value of investments managed by J M Finn has fallen to a level that no longer makes financial sense to be managed in a segregated portfolio. The decision was taken to transfer these monies into the same BlackRock Fund. This was carried out in early 2021.

As a result, total reserves as at 31 December 2020 amounted to £110,575 made up of cash at bank as adjusted for amounts due to and from the Society plus the investment portfolio.

Details of income and expenses can be found in the Statement of Financial Activities on page 7.

INVESTMENT POWERS

The constitution of the charity authorises the trustees to make and hold investments, which they see as appropriate using the general funds of the charity.

RESERVES POLICY

The policy of the charity is to maintain sufficient funds so that over a period of time sufficient income can be generated from the funds held to carry out the functions of the charity.

RISK ANALYSIS

The trustees who are responsible for the charity are implementing risk management as a matter of policy. A review has taken place and it has considered the following main areas of risk.

Investments: Consideration of responsibility of brokers to the trust and stock market performance. Accounts: Production of annual accounts together with internal management controls. Charitable Objects: Ensuring that the charity funds are used in accordance with the trust's charitable objects.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

There have been no related party transactions in the reporting period that require disclosure.

By order of the trustees on 2021

Professor Harry Zeitlin

President

Mrs Anne Raikes - Treasurer Page 5

REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT EXAMINER TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE MEDICO-LEGAL SOCIETY

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Medico-Legal Society for the year ended 31 December 2020.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Medico-Legal Society, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the Medico-Legal Society’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

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

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed:

Name: Lawrence Melinek BSc. (Hons) ACMA CGMA

Address: 7 Helenslea Avenue, London NW11 8NE

Date:

Page 6

THE MEDICO-LEGAL SOCIETY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES for the year ended 31 December 2020____

Notes
INCOMING RESOURCES
1(b)
Subscriptions
Investment income from:
Managed Investments
Minty bequest
Other income:
Annual dinner and
donation
Charitable donations received
3
Total incoming resources
RESOURCES EXPENDED
1(c)
Direct charitable expenditure:
Expenses of meetings
Journal production
Annual dinner costs
Administration expenses
Governance costs
Honorarium

Insurance

Auditors' remuneration
1(d)
Website management

Investment management charges

Sundry expenses
Total resources expended
Net incoming resources
Other recognised gains and losses
Realised loss (2019 gain) on investments
Unrealised gain on investments
Total net movement in funds
Fund balances brought forward at 1 January 2020
Fund balances carried forward at 31 December 2020		 2020
£
£
16,523
3,980
3,493
7,473
3,387
27,383
6,297
4,618
-
4,349
15,265
6,000
1,443
-
246
900
290
8,879
24,143
3,240
(665)
1,549
883
4,123
106,452
110,575
Page 7		 2019
£
£
14,685
3,522
4,966
8,488
8,316
28,850
60,340
12,076
5,122
8,356
5,145
30,698
6,000
2,396
(240)
221
834
9,293
39,991
20,348
393
9,254
9,647
29,996
76,456
106,452		 2019
£
£
14,685
3,522
4,966
8,488
8,316
28,850
60,340
12,076
5,122
8,356
5,145
30,698
6,000
2,396
(240)
221
834
9,293
39,991
20,348
393
9,254
9,647
29,996
76,456
106,452
60,340
30,698
9,293
39,991
20,348
393
9,254
9,647
29,996
76,456
106,452

THE MEDICO-LEGAL SOCIETY

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION At 31 December 2020

Notes
FIXED ASSETS
Investments
2
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
4
Prepayments
4
Cash at bank
5
CREDITORS:
Subscriptions in advance
6
Amounts falling due in one year
6
NET CURRENT ASSETS
TOTAL NET ASSETS
FUNDS
Income and expenditure account
7
Total Reserves		 2020
£
94,832
1,408
600
22,800
24,808
7,900
1,166
9,066
15,743
110,575
110,575
110,575		 2019
£
77,514
216
3,661
32,187
36,063
5,125
2,000
7,125
28,938
106,452
106,452
106,452

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on 2021 and were signed on its behalf by:

Mrs Anne Raikes - Treasurer

Professor Harry Zeitlin - President

The notes form part of these financial statements Page 8

THE MEDICO-LEGAL SOCIETY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2020

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(a) Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland'EFA, the and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

(b) Incoming resources

All incoming resources are included on the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.

(c) Resources expended

Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

(d) Independent Examiner

Following the adoption of the Charity’s new Constitution on 13 June 2019, it was possible to appoint an independent examiner in place of the auditors, Thorne Lancaster Parker. The credit of £240 represents the excess of the amounted reserved for auditors’ fees in 2018 over the final amount charged. The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.

(e) Investments

Investments are stated at market value at the statement of financial position date. The Statement of Financial Activities includes the realised gains and losses on acquisitions and disposals as well as the unrealised gains and losses throughout the year. The unrealised gains or losses represent the difference between the market value and the book value on the annual accounting date, namely 31 December 2019. Unrealised gains or losses are transferred to the accumulated fund. The actual gain or loss will depend upon the prices ruling at the time of sale. The figure for unrealised gains is therefore only an indication of the position.

(f) Irrecoverable vat

Irrecoverable VAT is charged against the category of resources for which the related expenditure was incurred.

Page 9

THE MEDICO-LEGAL SOCIETY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2020

2. INVESTMENTS

Market value at 1 January 2020
Acquisitions
Disposals
Revaluation
Market value at 31 December 2020
Investments at market value comprised:
BlackRock Charities Growth and Income Fund
Bond funds
Real estate investments trusts
Preference shares
UK equities
Global
Asia ex Japan
Property
Alternative Strategies
Cash
Historical cost		 2020
£
77,514
25,000
(8,565)
883
94,832
32,652
3,710
5700
6,420
22,739
-
9,444
9,168

5,000
94,832
82,342		 2019
£
68,874
11,108
(12,116)
9,648		 2019
£
68,874
11,108
(12,116)
9,648
77,514
-
3,902
6100
7,850
27,483
7,660
9,344
9,600
5,575
77,514
63,517

3. DONATION OF FUNDS

Transfer of funds on the winding up of Clinical Disputes - 28,850 Forum

Page 10

THE MEDICO-LEGAL SOCIETY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2020

4.
DEBTORS
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
5.
CASH AT BANK IN HAND
Business account
Treasurers account
Treasurers account (private)
6.
CREDITORS
Amounts due within one year
Deferred income – subscriptions in advance
7.
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
Balance at 1 January 2020
Net incoming resources
Investment gains
Balance at 31 December 2020		 2020
£
1,408
600
2,008
15,793
7,007
-
22,800
1,166
7,900
9,066
106,452
3,240
883
110,575		 2019
£
216
3,661
3,876
7,187
25,000
-
32,187
2,000
5,125
7,125
76,456
20,348
9,647
106,452

Page 11