REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 214508
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
FOR THE MEDICO-LEGAL SOCIETY
THE MEDICO-LEGAL SOCIETY
CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2023
| 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 2023
The Medico-Legal Society is an unincorporated registered charity (No. 214508) governed by the Rules of the Society as approved by the Trustees of the Society and by the Council of the Society at meetings on 11 May 2023; adopted by the Society at its Annual General Meeting on 8 June 2023; and approved by the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 24 October 2023.
The Medico-Legal Society’s registered address is:
89 Elm Bank Gardens London SW13 0NX
TRUSTEES
The following Council members have served as trustees in 2023:
From January to June 2023: Dr Tania Francis Dr Sarah Galbraith Mrs Anne Raikes Mr Simon Readhead KC Dr Mark Tarn From July to December 2023: Dr Tania Francis Dr Sarah Galbraith Professor Rachael Mulheron KC (Hon) Mrs Anne Raikes Mr Simon Readhead KC Dr Mark Tarn
COUNCIL MEMBERS
The following individuals were Council members for the period 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023:
Mr Charles Bennett Mrs Diana Brahams Dr. Gerrard Burnett Dr Tania Francis Dr Sarah Galbraith Ms Linda Lee Advocate Edwina Casebow (January to October 2023) Mrs Anne Raikes Professor Rachael Mulheron KC (Hon) Mr Michael Levenstein Ms. Evelyn Palmer Dr James Pattison Dr Katy Peters Mr Simon Readhead KC Dr Giuseppe Spoto Dr Mark Tarn Dr (Eleanor) Jane Turner Professor Harry Zeitlin
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THE MEDICO-LEGAL SOCIETY
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES – CONTINUED for the year ended 31 December 2023
OFFICERS
The following Council members have served as Officers in 2023:
President: Mr Simon Readhead KC Editor, Medico-Legal Journal: Mrs Diana Brahams Medical Editor, Medico-Legal Journal: Dr (Eleanor) Jane Turner Honorary Treasurer: Mrs Anne Raikes Honorary Medical Secretary: Dr Gerrard Burnett Honorary Legal Secretary: Ms Evelyn Palmer
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER
Lawrence Melinek 7 Helenslea Avenue London NW11 8NE
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THE MEDICO-LEGAL SOCIETY
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES – CONTINUED for the year ended 31 December 2023
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023. 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 objective 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 were approved by the Trustees of the Society and by the Council of the Society at meetings on 11 May 2023, were adopted by the Society at its Annual General Meeting on 8 June 2023 and were approved by the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 24 October 2023.
The organisation of the Rules has been re-ordered in Parts 1 and 2 to replicate the division contained in the Model Constitution prepared by the Charity Commission for Charitable Associations (Unincorporated) dated November 2013 and updated in January 2017. The provisions in Part 1 relate to the purposes of the charity and how its money and other property can be used. These provisions can only be changed by a two-thirds majority of members present and voting at a meeting. Part 2 contains those provisions which are administrative in nature. These provisions can be changed by a simple majority of those members.
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
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP;
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make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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THE MEDICO-LEGAL SOCIETY
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES – CONTINUED for the year ended 31 December 2023
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state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
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 2023.
REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES BY THE HONORARY LEGAL SECRETARY
In the year ending 31 December 2023, the Society had a total of 232 members (in 2022, 207 members). There were 38 new members who joined the Society in 2023 across all membership categories – Ordinary, Associate, Student and Overseas. The Society embarked on a successful recruitment initiative to promote group membership at a reduced rate. In November 2023, the Society welcomed its first group members from a firm of regulatory defence solicitors.
The Society held nine meetings during 2023, prior to which the Council met on each occasion. During 2023 the Society was again fortunate to be addressed by a number of distinguished speakers.
January 2023: Professor Neil Greenberg , Professor of Defence Mental Health – “Adjustment disorder, moral injury and the Case of Marine “A””.
February 2023: Dr Gabrielle Pendlebury , Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist – “County Lines”. March 2023: Sir Liam Joseph Donaldson, FRCSE FRCP FRCPE FMedSci FRCA. Former Chief Medical Officer for England – Vaccines and Geopolitics. April 2023: Professor Mike Tipton MBE, FTPS, Professor of Human & Applied Physiology – “Extreme environmental physiology in the dock”. May 2023: Baroness Cumberlege CBE DL – “First do no harm” – “Primodos, sodium valproate and surgical mesh”. June 2023: Dr Christine Tomkins , BSC(Hons) MBChB (Hons) DO FRCS FRCOphth FRCP MBA. Retired CEO, Medical Defence Union – “Tales of the Unexpected – 36 years of Medical Defence”. October 2023: Dr Simon Wilson, MA FRCPsych, Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist – “The Fixed Threat Assessment Centre”. November 2023: Dr Vassilios Hurmusiadis BEng, MA, PhD, and Mr Kevin Sherman MA (Cantab) BM BCh (Oxon) FRCS MEd PhD – “Simulation-based training in cardiology | The role of simulation and AI in medical education”. December 2023: Mr. David Sellu MSc, ChM, FRCS, FRCSEd., former Honorary Consultant Surgeon at St Mark’s Hospital, London – “When Things Go Wrong – Consent, Manslaughter and Gross Clinical Negligence”.
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THE MEDICO-LEGAL SOCIETY
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES – CONTINUED for the year ended 31 December 2023
The Society continues to deliver in-person and remote presentations, and has received positive feedback from remote attendees that the audio-visual equipment purchased in 2022 has made a significant difference. The Society continues to grow its online presence, and by 31 December 2023, had over 720 LinkedIn followers.
REVIEW OF THE FINANCIAL POSITION BY THE HONORARY TREASURER
There was a small deficit in 2023 of £544 similar to that of £462 in 2022. Higher income from subscriptions and investments offset the greater cost of returning to in-person monthly lectures at Lettsom House.
The Society had a successful Annual Dinner with more guests than in previous years. The trustees are grateful to Sage for their ongoing donations towards this dinner, and for their support of the Society in its other endeavours.
Monthly lectures continue to be available remotely in real time and are also accessible to members on demand via the Society’s YouTube channel. The investment in audio-visual equipment in 2022 has enabled this.
2023 was a slightly better year than 2022 as interest rises plateaued and the economic outlook became clearer. The value of the investment in the BlackRock Charities Growth and Income Fund recovered by £744 over the year, after a fall of £12,152 in 2022. The Society continues to benefit from a regular quarterly dividend.
Income from the Minty Trust increased to £4,540 in 2023 compared with £2,770 in 2022 as equities paid better dividends than previous years.
As a result, total reserves as at 31 December 2023 amounted to £110,204 (£110,004 at end 2022) made up of cash at bank as adjusted for amounts due to and from the Society plus the investment portfolio and the audio-visual equipment.
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 June 2024
Mr Simon Readhead KC President
Simon Readhead KC Simon Readhead KC (Jun 11, 2024 09:14 GMT+1)
Mrs Anne Raikes - Treasurer
Anne Raikes
Anne Raikes (Jun 11, 2024 13:55 GMT+1)
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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 2023.
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:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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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 2023
| Notes INCOMING RESOURCES 1(b) Subscriptions Investment income from: Managed Investments Minty bequest Other income: Annual dinner and donation Donations received 3 Total incoming resources RESOURCES EXPENDED 1(c) Direct charitable expenditure: Expenses of meetings Journal production Annual dinner costs Small IT costs Depreciation of audio-visual equipment 1(d) Administration expenses Governance costs Honorarium Insurance Website management Sundry Total resources expended Net outgoing resources Other recognised gains and losses Unrealised gain (2022 unrealised loss) on investments Total net movement in funds Fund balances brought forward at 1 January 2023 Fund balances carried forward at 31 December 2023 |
£ 2,930 4,540 10,357 4,110 9,126 154 1,491 4,421 7,000 855 559 355 |
2023 £ 19,627 7,470 8,981 1,806 37,884 29,659 8,769 38,428 (544) 744 200 110,004 110,204 |
£ 2,723 2,770 7,427 4,380 8,661 567 1,491 2,669 7,000 562 380 58 |
2022 £ 18,207 5,493 9,032 - |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32,733 | ||||
| 25,195 8,000 |
||||
| 33,195 | ||||
| (462) (12,152) |
||||
| (12,614) 122,618 |
||||
| 110,004 |
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THE MEDICO-LEGAL SOCIETY
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION At 31 December 2023
| Notes 2023 £ FIXED ASSETS Tangible fixed assets 2 4,472 Investments 3 88,610 Total fixed assets 93,082 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 4 2,473 Prepayments 4 500 Cash at bank 5 24,866 27,739 CREDITORS: Subscriptions in advance 6 10,617 Amounts falling due in one year 6 - 10,617 NET CURRENT ASSETS 16,622 TOTAL NET ASSETS 110,204 FUNDS Income and expenditure account 7 110,204 Total Reserves 110,204 The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on 2024 and were signed on its behalf by: Mrs Anne Raikes - Treasurer Mr Simon Readhead KC - President Si An |
2022 £ 5,963 87,866 93,829 701 - 23,916 24,618 7,693 750 8,443 16,175 122,618 122,618 122,618 Simon Readhead KC ne Raikes (Jun 11, 2024 13:55 GMT+1) Anne Raikes |
|---|---|
| mon Readhead KC (Jun 11, 2024 09:14 GMT+1) |
Page 8
The notes on Pages 9 to 11 form part of these accounts
THE MEDICO-LEGAL SOCIETY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2023
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) Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
Audio-visual equipment was purchased in 2022 in order to make monthly lecture and Council meetings available remotely. The cost of this equipment will be written off over its expected useful life of five years on a straightline basis.
(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 2023. 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.
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THE MEDICO-LEGAL SOCIETY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2023
2. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
| Cost or valuation At 1st January 2023 Additions Disposals At 31 December 2023 Depreciation At 1st January 2023 Disposals Depreciation in year At 31 December 2023 Net book value at 1st January 2023 Net book value at 31st December 2023 3.INVESTMENTS Market value at 1 January 2023 Acquisitions Disposals Revaluation Market value at 31 December 2023 Investments at market value comprised: BlackRock Charities Growth and Income Fund Historical cost |
Audio- visual equipment Total £ £ 7,454 7,454 0 0 0 0 7,454 7,454 1,491 1,491 0 0 1,491 1,491 2,982 2,982 5,963 5,963 4,472 4,472 2023 £ 87,866 - - 744 88,610 88,610 85,000 |
Audio- visual equipment Total £ £ 7,454 7,454 0 0 0 0 7,454 7,454 1,491 1,491 0 0 1,491 1,491 2,982 2,982 5,963 5,963 4,472 4,472 2023 £ 87,866 - - 744 88,610 88,610 85,000 |
2022 £ 0 7,454 0 7,454 0 0 1,491 1,491 0 5,963 2022 £ 100,018 - - (12,152) |
2022 £ 0 7,454 0 7,454 0 0 1,491 1,491 0 5,963 2022 £ 100,018 - - (12,152) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 87,866 | |||||
| 87,866 85,000 |
Page 10
THE MEDICO-LEGAL SOCIETY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2023
| 4 DEBTORS Other debtors Prepayments and accrued income 5 CASH AT BANK IN HAND Business account Treasurers account 6 CREDITORS Amounts due within one year Deferred income – subscriptions in advance 7 INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT Balance at 1 January 2023 Net outgoing resources Investment gains Balance at 31 December 2023 |
2023 £ 1,510 963 2,473 17,758 7,008 24,765 - 10,617 10,617 110,004 (544) 744 110,204 |
2022 £ 701 0 |
|---|---|---|
| 701 | ||
| 16,908 7,008 |
||
| 23,916 | ||
| 750 7,693 |
||
| 8,443 | ||
| 122,618 (462) (12,152) |
||
| 110,004 |
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