REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 01418763 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 277927
SOUTHWARK LAW CENTRE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
Berringers LLP Lygon House 50 London Road Bromley Kent BR1 3RA
SOUTHWARK LAW CENTRE
CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2023
| Page | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Reference and administrative details | 1 | ||
| Report of the trustees | 2 | to | 12 |
| Report of the independent auditors | 13 | to | 15 |
| Statement of financial activities | 16 | ||
| Balance sheet | 17 | ||
| Cash flow statement | 18 | ||
| Notes to the cash flow statement | 19 | ||
| Notes to the financial statements | 20 | to | 32 |
| Detailed statement of financial activities | 33 | to | 34 |
SOUTHWARK LAW CENTRE
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS for the year ended 31 March 2023
TRUSTEES A A Eden (resigned 16.11.2022) V Fewkes A Gallagher S D O Lancashire L McGown F J McGregor (Treasurer until Sept 22) (resigned 13.9.2022) V Olisa O J Persey A Polley (Vice Chair) J Rhodes (Chair) L H Stoy (resigned 4.9.2023) K C Thomas A Chandler (Treasurer from Jan 23) (appointed 14.12.2022) COMPANY SECRETARY S Causer REGISTERED OFFICE Hanover Park House 14-16 Hanover Park Peckham London SE15 5HG REGISTERED COMPANY 01418763 (England and Wales) NUMBER
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 277927
AUDITORS
Berringers LLP Lygon House 50 London Road Bromley Kent BR1 3RA
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SOUTHWARK LAW CENTRE
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31 March 2023
The trustees, who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 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 AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and aims
Southwark Law Centre was founded in 1976. Our main office is in Peckham. In 2017 a branch office was developed in Lewisham which was recognised as Lewisham Law Centre by the Law Centres Network (LCN) in July 2020.
The Law Centre provides specialist legal advice and representation, which is free and of high quality, for those who could not otherwise afford to receive legal services. The Law Centre operates in the areas of asylum/immigration law, discrimination, education, education, housing, planning and public law, welfare rights, and support with the Windrush Compensation Scheme.
The Law Centre's constitution enables it to take individual cases from all Greater London Boroughs.
The Law Centre prioritises the most complex cases which involve the prevention of homelessness, destitution, discrimination, breaches of human rights and poverty. It provides training and second tier support on legal rights for local advice and community agencies. It campaigns to influence law, policy and practice and promote human and civil rights, often by the use of strategic litigation.
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SOUTHWARK LAW CENTRE
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31 March 2023
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Significant activities
In 2022/3 the Law Centre took on 1304 complex cases across the different areas of law and provided workshops and advice on social welfare law topics reaching around 600 frontline workers.
Some of the Law Centre's key partnerships:
- Housing and Immigration Group:
Funding from Trust for London enables the Law Centre to co-ordinate the London-wide Housing and Immigration Group, which facilitates the sharing of good practice and information between practitioners and referrals for urgent cases. The Trustees would like to thank Trust for London for its continued of funding for this service.
- Southwark Homelessness Forum:
The Forum brings together representatives from the voluntary sector and representatives of Southwark Council to try to develop a joined-up approach to tackling issues of homelessness and ensuring policies do not adversely affect local residents. The Law Centre's Executive Director chairs these meetings.
- Quarterly liaison meetings with the Southwark Exchequer Service:
The Law Centre facilitates and chairs meetings between the core Southwark advice agencies and the Council's Exchequer Service. The aim is to work in partnership particularly around the impact of the pandemic and the cost-of-living increase on tenants ability to pay their rent.
- Forum For Equalities and Human Rights and Equality Human Rights Panel (EHRP)
The Executive Director of the Law Centre is a member of the EHRP, which acts as a critical friend to Southwark Council, commenting on policy initiatives and equality analysis.
- Windrush Justice Clinic Partnership
Our project is part of the Windrush Justice Clinics (WJC). The WJC is a collaboration between Southwark Law Centre and North Kensington Law Centre, Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants, Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit, the University of Westminster Legal Advice Clinic, King's College University Legal Clinic, London South Bank University Legal Clinic; and community groups, notably the Claudia Jones Organisation, Windrush Lives and the Jigsaw House Society.
Each organisation plays a key role within our three-tier model of support: community engagement, outreach and communications; information and triage; and legal support with more complex applications, particularly those where there is an immigration matter to be resolved.
- Action for Education Rights
A partnership of community organisations and local residents was formed in 2021 in response to concerns from local parents around the disproportionate number of pupils from Black and Ethnic Minorities being excluded from school, and not receiving the support they need. The overall aim of our project is to improve access to education outcomes for children and young people from Black and Ethnic Minority communities.
- Southwark Borough of Sanctuary
The Law Centre is working with a multi-agency forum led by Southwark Refugee Communities Forum to ensure Southwark is a welcoming place for refugees and migrants.
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SOUTHWARK LAW CENTRE
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31 March 2023
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Public benefit
The trustees consider that the objectives and activities stated above of the Law Centre provide public benefit within the meaning and terms of the Charities Act 2011.
Volunteers
In the year 2022/3 19 students of Kings University London legal department volunteered with the Law Centre, providing support on the Windrush compensation project.
The Law Centre was supported by 7 office volunteers.
Pro bono support was received from four law firms: Hogan Lovells International LLP, Gowling WLG (UK) LLP, Clifford Chance LLP and Withers LLP.
The Trustees would like to thank all those who have provided help and assistance.
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SOUTHWARK LAW CENTRE
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31 March 2023
STRATEGIC REPORT
Achievement and performance
Charitable activities
The service the Law Centre provides is casework-based and involves advocacy, preparation for and representation at tribunals, arbitration, and review panels and in the Courts within its specialist areas.
The Law Centre aims to provide support to other agencies which refer cases to it, even when it cannot take on particular cases. That support may be telephone advice to assist the referral agency in resolving the problem without the client seeing a lawyer, or help in finding other sources of advice from groups such as the Southwark Housing Lawyers Group or the Housing and Immigration Group.
Areas of Law
Housing
Housing remains one of the main advice needs in Southwark and Lewisham.
The Law Centre specialises in cases involving homelessness, possession, eviction, disrepair and asylum support law.
In the year 2022/3 the Law Centre dealt with 841 cases. This is almost double the number dealt with in 2021/2 and is largely due to the eviction ban being lifted. The levels of arrears that tenants now routinely have are higher than the Law Centre has ever seen, sometimes running into tens of thousands of pounds. This, combined with the cost-of-living increases, is causing a crisis for tenants on low incomes.
Staffing the duty solicitor rota at Clerkenwell Court (Lambeth and Southwark tenants) has been very challenging in terms of staff time and the impact on the legal aid income of the Law Centre, because of the sheer number of sessions and cases listed. It is an essential service as most of the tenants the Law Centre sees have not had the benefit of legal advice before attending Court. In 2023/4 the Law Centre will be exploring how it might be able to reach tenants with earlier advice. Linked to this we have funding from the GLA via London Legal Support Trust to provide some welfare rights advice linked to the Court duty scheme as many of the people the Law Centre sees have a benefits issue as a root cause of their rent arrears. This work began in October 2022.
The Law Centre continued to receive funding from Urban Health, part of the Guy's and St Thomas' Charity, to work on a project in partnership with Kineara, a social enterprise which provides holistic support for vulnerable tenants in the private rented sector.
During 2021/2 the Law Centre worked with Citizens Advice Southwark on a project to set up a support group for private renters. The Law Centre's role has been to encourage engagement and to provide 'Know your Rights' workshops.
The Law Centre is funded by Trust for London to provide housing advice for destitute migrants. This is an area of growing need as the number of asylum seekers in Southwark and Lewisham continues to grow and they are largely accommodated for long periods in unsuitable hotel accommodation.
The Law Centre has provided specialist second-tier advice for local frontline agencies to improve triaging for this client group, and has enabled sharing of best practice through administrating and co-ordinating the Housing and Immigration Group (HIG).
Employment/Discrimination
In 2022/3 the Law Centre provided advice in 63 employment cases, continuing to provide a regular telephone outreach session for clients referred by Citizens Advice Southwark. Although the Law Centre holds a Legal Aid contract for discrimination, the lack of legal aid makes this area of work extremely challenging as funding is not available for representation at Tribunals and many of the Law Centre's clients are not able to represent themselves.
Education
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SOUTHWARK LAW CENTRE
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31 March 2023
In response to identified need, the Law Centre is developing capacity to provide education advice on areas such as school exclusion and access to Specialist Education and Disability Needs. An advisory group has been set up involving frontline agencies and local parents.
The approach of the Law Centre has been to build on the knowledge and expertise already present within the community. Funding has been secured from the Baring Foundation for the Law Centre to act as a legal hub for education issues. Over the last year the Law Centre has provided a number of education rights training sessions on areas such as access to SEND support for children in families with No Recourse to Public Funds ('NRPF') status, and the police in schools. In addition, the Trustees would like to thank the Strategic Legal Fund for support to explore challenges around internal exclusions and SEND support for migrant children.
Community Care
The Law Centre carries out community care work particularly in the areas of homelessness and 'Section 17' support for destitute families who have been given NRPF status because of problems with their immigration status. Section 17 of the Children Act 1989 (S.17) gives local authorities the power to provide accommodation and financial support to families with 'children in need', even if they have no recourse to public funds. The Law Centre is also seeing an increasing number of vulnerable adults with NRPF status who need Care Act assessments. This is linked to its immigration advice for homeless patients and the London Council funded immigration advice for rough sleepers.
Asylum and Immigration
In the year 2022/3 the Law Centre dealt with 314 immigration and asylum cases.
It prioritises cases for vulnerable people such as children, young people, people at risk of gender violence and people with mental and physical health problems. Many of the clients are homeless and destitute.
In July 2022 the Law Centre began a major new project funded by London Councils for 3 years. The Law Centre is the Southeast London sub-regional lead, and will work in partnership with Lewisham Refugee and Migrant Network.
The Law Centre has received continued funding from Lewisham Council to take referrals for specialist immigration advice for families and individuals supported by Lewisham's NRPF team.
In 2022/3 the Law Centre has continued working with Action for Refugees in Lewisham. The funding from Trust for London has been extended for another 2 years.
The Homeless Patients Legal Advocacy Service provides casework and representation for homeless patients in partnership with the homeless teams at Guy's and St Thomas' hospitals. As a result of the successful outcomes this project has demonstrated in terms not only of benefits for very vulnerable patients but savings to the NHS, the project is being funded on a rolling basis by the GSTT Hospital Trust. A similar project based in Lewisham Hospital, funded by the SE London Integrated Care Service, began on a pilot basis in 2022 and will be evaluated later in 2023.
During 2022/3 the Law Centre continued to receive funding from the Home Office to provide assistance with more complex applications for settlement from vulnerable EEA nationals. The Law Centre works in partnership with New Europeans and Citizens Advice Southwark
The Law Centre continues to work with the South London Refugee Association (SLRA), to provide targeted consultancy support for their staff. SLRA has led a partnership involving the Law Centre and Project 17 which has been awarded funding from the Justice Together programme. This project started in July 2022.
In 2022/3 the Law Centre continued its partnership with Project 17 funded by Trust for London to provide specialist immigration advice for families with NRPF status.
Representatives of the Law Centre attend regular King's Health Partnership Pathways team meetings in King's, Guy's, SLAM (South London and Maudsley) and St Thomas' hospitals to provide second-tier immigration advice and support for the homeless support teams funded by the Pathway project.
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SOUTHWARK LAW CENTRE
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31 March 2023
Windrush Compensation Scheme
The Law Centre has funding from AB Charity to provide casework to help victims of the Windrush scandal to access the compensation that they are entitled to and to deal with associated immigration advice. The Law Centre has funding from King's College London to provide support for law students volunteering with this project. It also has funding from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation to employ a part time coordinator to work more widely across the Windrush Justice Partnership. The Law Centre has taken on over 30 complex cases and is currently pursuing a challenge to the Legal Aid Agency's blanket refusal to award Legal Aid for help with compensation claims.
Welfare Rights
In 2022/3 the Law Centre dealt with 60 welfare rights cases. It specialises in appeals to the First Tier Tribunal (Social Security and Asylum Support), Upper Tribunal, and Judicial Review cases. Legal Aid is rarely available for welfare rights cases and the Law Centre's casework was largely funded thanks to the important Southwark Council contract.
In 2022 the Law Centre received funding to provide welfare benefits advice and representation for Lewisham residents with Sickle Cell.
Planning Voice
The overall aim of this innovative project is to support and empower local people, particularly those from economically and socially disadvantaged communities, to be able to influence developments affecting the environment they live in. In the 1970s and 1980s the Law Centre provided legal advice on planning issues at a time of huge redevelopment in the Borough. In order to respond to local needs, this is an area where the Law Centre should once again support residents.
Initial 3-year funding from United St Saviours Charity enabled Southwark Law Centre to employ a three day per week caseworker to provide group training sessions on planning issues and one-to-one support for local residents, including advocacy and drafting representations. In January 2020 the Law Centre was awarded 3-year funding from the National Lottery which has enabled the planning solicitor post to become full time and to cover a wider area of Southwark. In 2022 the National Lottery awarded a further 3 year grant with increased funding for an information support post.
Public Law
The Law Centre has a small number of Legal Aid Matter Starts in this area. It is important that it maintains its ability to challenge unreasonable decisions made by public bodies.
In the year 2021/2 the Law Centre carried out 12 public law challenges. These have been mainly in the area of Asylum Support.
Financial review
Financial position
The Law Centre's gross income was higher this year at £1,842,103 against £1,580,961 last year, an increase of £261,142. Higher outlay on resources expended, up from £1,644,157 to £1,873,855 resulted in net outgoing resources of £31,752 against £63,196 for the previous year. At the year end restricted funds were £6,293 (2022 - £31,039), whilst unrestricted income funds amounted to £600,723 against £607,729 in the previous year, of which £200,000 (2022 - £200,000) has been designated.
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SOUTHWARK LAW CENTRE
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31 March 2023
STRATEGIC REPORT
Financial review
Principal funding sources
Legal Aid funding accounts for around 25% of income. The contract with Southwark Council accounts for around 10%, and 10% from the London Council's grant for immigration advice for homeless people. The remainder comes from Charitable grants, donations and a contract with Lewisham Council to provide immigration advice.
The Law Centre acknowledges with gratitude the generosity of those who give it grant funding.
The total amount of funding received from Southwark Council in respect of the specialist advice contract was £167,453. An uplift of 6% over two years (2022/23 and 2023/24) to partially offset inflation and cost of living increase for staff was awarded towards the end of the 2022/3 financial year.
The amount recorded in the financial statements is the net amount due to the Law Centre after payments made to Cambridge House Law Centre and Migrant Legal Action, which are partner organisations with the Law Centre in the specialist contract with the Borough.
The Law Centre holds Legal Aid contracts in housing, debt and welfare benefits, public law, discrimination, immigration and asylum law at Southwark Law Centre, with separate housing contract and a discrimination law contracts at Lewisham Law Centre.
The Law Centre is also very grateful to all its other funders and supporters, which include:
AB Charity, Access to Justice Foundation, Action for Refugees in Lewisham, Baring Foundation, City Bridge Trust, The Home Office, Guys and St Thomas Hospital, Indigo Charity, Justice Together, Kings Health Partnership (Pathway), The Legal Education Foundation, London Legal Support Trust, National Lottery, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Project 17, South East London Integrated Care Service, South London Refugee Association, Trust for London, United St Saviours Charity, Urban Health. All of these, along with generous individual supporters, enable us to provide critical help to a wide range of disadvantaged and marginalised clients.
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SOUTHWARK LAW CENTRE
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31 March 2023
STRATEGIC REPORT Financial review
Reserves policy
The Law Centre's reserves have been set in accordance with the Law Centre's reserve policy, which is formulated pursuant to Charity Commission guidance. Best practice suggests that the Law Centre should have an appropriate proportion of its annual outgoings available by way of reserves, and the level of the Law Centre's reserves is regularly monitored by the Trustees.
As part of the Law Centre's Financial Management processes, the Board of Trustees has set a target of working towards accumulating and maintaining a reserve fund which represents 3 months' annual operating costs. This amount is reflective of general good practice in the Charity Sector, and is even more important in light of the current inflation rates and cost of living increases. In the financial year 2023/4 this would amount to approximately £500,000. These reserves enable the Law Centre to deal with the following contingencies:-
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Reductions in or withdrawal of grant funding
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Reduction in Legal Aid earned income
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In the event of closure, three months running costs to wind up the organisation and pay redundancies, leasehold and other
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liabilities
In addition we wish to set aside the following amounts :
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£100,000 in anticipation of a move from our current premises
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£50,000 for unforeseen staffing issues;
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£50,000 fund for replacing essential equipment such as telephones or IT.
The total amount of reserves the Trustees therefore wish to aim for, over the coming year, is £700,000.
This policy is reviewed at least annually when the Trustee Board considers the end of year projections and the audited accounts.
The Trustee Board reviews the overall financial position of the Law Centre at least every three months and records the outcome of their review in the minutes of their meeting.
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SOUTHWARK LAW CENTRE
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31 March 2023
STRATEGIC REPORT
Future plans
The Southwark Law Centre staff team has more than doubled in size over approximately the last 4 years, with new areas of work (notably education casework and Windrush compensation support).
The Law Centre's premises are not suitable for an expanded workforce, even though it has successfully introduced hybrid working. The Law Centre needs to find new more suitable premises on secure lease terms.
Legal Aid income dipped in 2022/3 largely because the Law Centre was unable to take as many cases during the pandemic. This together with maintaining staff cost of living increases meant that year end figures 2022/3 showed a deficit. The Law Centre's current funding strategy prioritises avoiding the need to reduce current staff posts and services, rather than further expansion.
The Law Centre will continue to build on its wide range of experience and deliver the highest quality legal advice to the population of South East London as far as resources allow.
The following priorities have been identified as part of our planning process which involves all members of staff, volunteers and trustees. The Trustee Board and staff met in May 2023 to discuss and review the Law Centre's business plan. The Law Centre also consider feedback from clients, partner organisations and the wider community.
Key Objectives 2023/4
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Maintain and develop infrastructure to underpin all the work carried out by the Law Centre
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Maintain capacity to provide specialist casework and representation in all the areas of law the Law Centre currently covers
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Achieve a workforce and Trustee Board that is representative of the diverse communities that live and work within South
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East London
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Ensure that service delivery is sensitive to users' needs
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Ensure that the Law Centre maintains a supportive atmosphere for all the team of staff and volunteers
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Continue to develop Lewisham Law Centre
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Maintain and develop infrastructure to underpin all the work carried out by the Law Centre
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
The Law Centre is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.
Recruitment and appointment of new trustees
Sadly in 2022 our Treasurer Fiona McGregor died suddenly. In December 2022 we were able to appoint a new Treasurer Anthony Chandler.
All the trustees live or work within the Law Centre's area of benefit. The recruitment of trustees is through advertising with volunteer support agencies, adverts on our website, contact with local community organisations, advice agencies and legal providers in the area of benefit. The Law Centre also encourages former clients and volunteers to be members of the charity and to consider joining the Trustee Board. Prospective trustees are invited to attend and observe at trustees' meetings and are recruited on the basis of relevant skills, experience and knowledge. The Board carries out an annual skills and attendance audit.
The trustees retire from office on a rotational basis (one third each year at the Annual General Meeting, based on length of service), but may stand for re-election.
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SOUTHWARK LAW CENTRE
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31 March 2023
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Organisational structure
The Trustee Board meets approximately every two months to oversee the strategic management of the organisation. The full Trustee Board met 7 times in 2022/3 including the AGM and business planning event.
The Finance sub-committee meets at least quarterly with monthly cash flow projections provided for the treasurer. The sub-committee reports to the Trustee Board.
The Human Resources sub-committee meets at least quarterly, and reports to the Trustee Board.
Day-to-day management of the Law Centre is delegated to the Executive Director, Sally Causer, who works full-time. The Law Centre has a Senior Management Team which includes the Senior Solicitors for Immigration, Housing and Employment. The Senior Solicitors are accountable to the Solicitors Regulation Authority for the conduct of legal cases, and providing day to day supervision of casework. Individual staff specialists provide legal supervision in their areas of specialisation: Housing, Employment, Immigration and Welfare Rights Law.
All members of the company, who include all the members of the Trustee Board, undertake to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 each in the event that the company is wound up while they are members, or within one year of cessation of membership.
Induction and training of new trustees
All new trustees have an induction meeting with the Director to observe the work of the Law Centre. All trustees receive full details of the policies and procedures of the Law Centre.
Key management remuneration
| Key management remuneration | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Key management compensation in year | 79,485 | 69,066 |
The remuneration is the total sum of the salaries and social security contributions paid to the Executive Director. No payments were made to any Trustee.
Risk management
The Trustees are keenly aware that their responsibilities include the duty to plan for the future and to prepare the Law Centre for the risks and opportunities they have identified beyond the current financial year.
The Law Centre reviews an annual operational risk assessment and a business continuity plan.
The Law Centre has developed a separate risk assessment for the Lewisham Law Centre.
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES
The trustees (who are also the directors of Southwark Law Centre for the purposes of company law) 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).
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SOUTHWARK LAW CENTRE
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31 March 2023
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES - continued
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 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 judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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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 charitable company 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 charitable company and to 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:
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there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company's auditors are unaware; and
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the trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditors are aware of that information.
Report of the trustees, incorporating a Strategic report, approved by order of the board of trustees, as the company directors, on ............................................. and signed on the board's behalf by:
..........................................................................
J Rhodes - Trustee
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REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE MEMBERS OF SOUTHWARK LAW CENTRE
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Southwark Law Centre (the 'charitable company') for the year ended 31 March 2023 which comprise the Statement of financial activities, the Balance sheet, the Cash flow statement and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion the financial statements:
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give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 31 March 2023 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended;
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have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
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have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
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 Auditors' 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 charitable company'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.
Other information
The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Annual report, other than the financial statements and our Report of the independent auditors thereon.
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.
In connection with our audit of the financial statements, 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 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:
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the information given in the Report of the trustees for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
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the Report of the trustees has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
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REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE MEMBERS OF SOUTHWARK LAW CENTRE
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 Report of the trustees.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
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adequate accounting records have not been kept or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
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the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
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certain disclosures of trustees' remuneration specified by law are not made; or
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we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
Responsibilities of trustees
As explained more fully in the Statement of trustees' responsibilities, 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.
Our 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 a Report of the independent auditors 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.
The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:
In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and error, we considered the following:
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the nature of the industry, control environment and business performance;
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results of our enquiries to management about their own assessment of the risks of fraud and error;
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the matters discussed among the audit engagement team regarding how and where fraud may occur in the financial statements and any potential indicators of fraud.
Our procedures to respond to risk include the following:
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reviewing the financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting documentation;
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performing analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected areas that may indicate risks of material misstatement due to fraud or error;
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addressing the risk of fraud and error through management override of controls, testing the appropriateness of journals, assessing whether the judgements made in making accounting estimates are indicative of a potential bias; and evaluating the business rationale of any significant transactions that are unusual or outside the normal course of business.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Report of the Independent Auditors.
Page 14
REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE MEMBERS OF SOUTHWARK LAW CENTRE
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 auditors' 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.
Paul Allan BSocSc FCA (Senior Statutory Auditor) for and on behalf of Berringers LLP Lygon House 50 London Road Bromley Kent BR1 3RA
Date: .............................................
Page 15
SOUTHWARK LAW CENTRE
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES for the year ended 31 March 2023
| Notes INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 2 Charitable activities 4 Legal representation Investment income 3 Total EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activities 5 Legal representation NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD |
Unrestricted funds £ 37,348 806,383 413 844,144 851,150 (7,006) 407,729 400,723 |
Designated funds £ - - - - - - 200,000 200,000 |
Restricted funds £ - 997,959 - 997,959 1,022,705 (24,746) 31,039 6,293 |
2023 Total funds £ 37,348 1,804,342 413 1,842,103 1,873,855 (31,752) 638,768 607,016 |
2022 Total funds £ 75,523 1,505,424 14 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,580,961 | |||||
| 1,644,157 | |||||
| (63,196) 701,964 |
|||||
| 638,768 |
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 16
SOUTHWARK LAW CENTRE
BALANCE SHEET 31 March 2023
| Notes FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 11 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 12 Cash at bank and in hand CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 13 NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES NET ASSETS FUNDS 14 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds TOTAL FUNDS |
Unrestricted funds £ 2,239 573,267 97,119 670,386 (271,902) 398,484 400,723 400,723 |
Designated funds £ - 58,334 141,666 200,000 - 200,000 200,000 200,000 |
Restricted funds £ - 30,027 107,669 137,696 (131,403) 6,293 6,293 6,293 |
2023 Total funds £ 2,239 661,628 346,454 1,008,082 (403,305) 604,777 607,016 607,016 600,723 6,293 607,016 |
2022 Total funds £ 680 454,274 591,423 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,045,697 (407,609) |
|||||
| 638,088 | |||||
| 638,768 | |||||
| 638,768 | |||||
| 607,729 31,039 |
|||||
| 638,768 |
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on ............................................. and were signed on its behalf by:
............................................. J Rhodes - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 17
SOUTHWARK LAW CENTRE
CASH FLOW STATEMENT for the year ended 31 March 2023
| Notes Cash flows from operating activities Cash generated from operations 1 Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities Cash flows from investing activities Purchase of tangible fixed assets Interest received Net cash used in investing activities Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period |
2023 £ (234,506) (234,506) (10,876) 413 (10,463) (244,969) 591,423 346,454 |
2022 £ 142,427 142,427 (2,861) 14 (2,847) 139,580 451,843 591,423 |
|---|---|---|
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 18
SOUTHWARK LAW CENTRE
NOTES TO THE CASH FLOW STATEMENT for the year ended 31 March 2023
| 1. | RECONCILIATION OF NET EXPENDITURE TO NET CASH FLOW | FROM OPERATING | ACTIVITIES |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Net expenditure for the reporting period (as per the Statement of | |||
| financial activities) | (31,752) | (63,196) | |
| Adjustments for: | |||
| Depreciation charges | 9,317 | 3,088 | |
| Interest received | (413) | (14) | |
| (Increase)/decrease in debtors | (207,354) | 22,936 | |
| (Decrease)/increase in creditors | (4,304) | 179,613 | |
| Net cash (used in)/provided by operations | (234,506) | 142,427 | |
| 2. | ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET FUNDS |
| At 1.4.22 | Cash flow | At 31.3.23 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Net cash | |||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 591,423 | (244,969) | 346,454 |
| 591,423 | (244,969) | 346,454 | |
| Total | 591,423 | (244,969) | 346,454 |
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 19
SOUTHWARK LAW CENTRE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2023
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charitable company, 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 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty
In the application of the charity's accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Such income is only deferred where the donor specifies that the grant or donation can be used in a future accounting period, or the donor has imposed conditions which must be met before the charity has unconditional entitlement.
Investment income is recognised on a receivable basis.
Income from charitable activities includes income received under contract or where entitlement to grant funding is subject to performance conditions is recognised as earned. Grant income included in this category provides funding to support advice/performance activities and is recognised where there is entitlement, certainty of receipt and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability.
Contract and performance related grant income is deferred when received in advance of the performance of event to which they relate.
Turnover is measured at fair value of the consideration received or receivable and represents amounts receivable for services provided in the normal course of business, net of VAT.
Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is 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.
Costs of generating funds are those costs incurred in attracting voluntary income and those incurred in trading activities that raise funds.
Charitable activities include both the direct and support costs relating to these activities. All support costs relate to unrestricted charitable activities.
continued...
Page 20
SOUTHWARK LAW CENTRE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued for the year ended 31 March 2023
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
Tangible fixed assets
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.
| Fixtures and fittings | -25% on reducing balance |
|---|---|
| Law library | -25% on reducing balance |
| Computer equipment | -100% on cost |
Taxation
The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in Note 14 on the financial statements.
Hire purchase and leasing commitments
Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Statement of financial activities on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.
Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits
The Centre participates in a Local Authority pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity. It is therefore not possible to identify the assets and liabilities for participating employees.
Work in progress
Work in progress is valued at net realisable value, after making due allowances for slow recovery and potential irrecoverable fees.
Going concern
At the time of approving the accounts, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity will remain a going concern and the accounts have been prepared on that basis. Currently, the Centre has stabilised the income from legal cases, additional grants have been secured and costs have risen only slightly. The trustees continue to monitor the situation.
2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES
| DONATIONS AND LEGACIES | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Donations | 37,348 | 75,523 |
continued...
Page 21
SOUTHWARK LAW CENTRE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued for the year ended 31 March 2023
3. INVESTMENT INCOME
| Deposit account interest 4. INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES Activity Grants Legal representation Legal Aid Contract & Representation Legal representation Prize award Legal representation Specialist contracts Legal representation Miscellaneous income Legal representation |
2023 £ 413 2023 £ 1,119,229 457,176 - 226,217 1,720 1,804,342 |
2022 £ 14 2022 £ 861,510 395,226 20,000 228,688 - |
|---|---|---|
| 1,505,424 |
The below details the specialist contracts Southwark Law Centre has entered into.
Southwark Law Centre is in partnership with two other charities. As the lead applicant they receive funds on behalf of the other charities and pass them on.
Specialist contract with Southwark Council
| Specialist contract with Southwark Council | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Contract monies received from Southwark Council | 336,000 | 336,000 | |
| Grant partners paid | (168,547) | (168,547) | |
| Income relevant to Southwark Law Centre acknowledged | 167,453 | 167,453 | |
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Lewisham Immigration Specialist Contract | 58,764 | 58,734 | |
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Lambeth Council EU Settlement Scheme | - | 10,000 | |
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Baring Foundation grant partners paid | - | (7,500) | |
continued...
Page 22
SOUTHWARK LAW CENTRE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued for the year ended 31 March 2023
4. INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES - continued
Grants received, included in the above, are as follows:
| National Lottery Community Fund Children in Need Trust for London The Baring Foundation AB Charitable Trust Kings Health Partnership Pathway London Legal Support Trust Project 17 United St Saviours Charity The Legal Education Foundation Access to Justice South London Refugee Association Guy's & St Thomas' Charity The Indigo Trust Allen & Overy Foundation The Home Office Action for Refugees in Lewisham Guys & St Thomas Samaritan Project Southwark Immigration Advice Greenwich Council Strategic Legal Fund Southwark Council EU Settlement Scheme King's College London Paul Hamlyn Foundation City Bridge Trust London Councils NHS England Action for Education Leathermarket JMB Trust for London Office Move |
2023 £ 62,049 20,000 55,000 55,949 27,083 12,000 55,992 30,037 17,730 7,500 14,672 35,397 155,167 85,833 - 94,630 16,932 - 49,344 2,900 5,554 - 13,000 36,850 32,850 83,863 120,000 11,537 2,360 15,000 1,119,229 |
2022 £ 75,073 20,000 22,500 - 45,417 12,000 10,744 23,178 14,440 61,376 30,000 3,000 40,000 103,000 10,000 76,172 33,538 79,417 49,283 17,816 12,530 68,526 20,000 33,500 - - - - - - |
|---|---|---|
| 861,510 |
continued...
Page 23
SOUTHWARK LAW CENTRE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued for the year ended 31 March 2023
5. PROVISION OF LEGAL SERVICES
| Legal representation Comparatives for provision of legal services Legal representation 6. SUPPORT COSTS Legal representation Comparatives for support costs Legal representation 7. NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) |
Direct Costs |
Support costs (see note 6) |
Totals | Totals | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2023 | 2023 | ||||
| £ | £ | £ | ||||
| 1,704,464 | 169,391 | 1,873,855 | ||||
| Direct Costs |
Support costs (see note 6) |
Totals | ||||
| 2022 | 2022 | 2022 | ||||
| £ | £ | £ | ||||
| 1,491,033 | 153,124 | 1,644,157 | ||||
| Finance | Other | Governance costs |
Totals | |||
| 2023 | 2023 | 2023 | 2023 | |||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |||
| 3,688 | 156,867 | 8,836 | 169,391 | |||
| Finance | Other | Governance costs |
Totals | |||
| 2022 | 2022 | 2022 | 2022 | |||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |||
| 2,721 | 141,803 | 8,600 | 153,124 | |||
Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):
| 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Auditors' remuneration | 8,400 | 8,600 |
| Depreciation - owned assets | 9,317 | 3,087 |
| Other operating leases | 3,688 | 2,721 |
continued...
Page 24
SOUTHWARK LAW CENTRE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued for the year ended 31 March 2023
8. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2023 nor for the year ended 31 March 2022.
Trustees' expenses
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2023 nor for the year ended 31 March 2022.
9. STAFF COSTS
| Wages and salaries Social security costs Other pension costs The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows: Legal advice Administration |
2023 £ 1,230,454 130,933 255,813 1,617,200 2023 29 8 37 |
2022 £ 1,051,938 108,421 233,591 |
2022 £ 1,051,938 108,421 233,591 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,393,950 | |||
| 2022 25 8 33 |
The number of employees who received emoluments in excess of £60,000 was 1 (2022: 1).
10. CLIENT BANK ACCOUNTS
| 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Monies held in client bank accounts | 93,482 | 164,555 |
| Monies due to clients | 93,482 | 164,555 |
Page 25
continued...
SOUTHWARK LAW CENTRE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued for the year ended 31 March 2023
11. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
| Fixtures and fittings £ COST At 1 April 2022 32,004 Additions 2,306 At 31 March 2023 34,310 DEPRECIATION At 1 April 2022 31,325 Charge for year 746 At 31 March 2023 32,071 NET BOOK VALUE At 31 March 2023 2,239 At 31 March 2022 679 12. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Trade debtors Other debtors Prepayments and accrued income 13. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Social security and other taxes VAT Other creditors Accrued expenses Deferred income |
Law library £ 8,650 - 8,650 8,649 1 8,650 - 1 |
Computer equipment £ 42,143 8,570 50,713 42,143 8,570 50,713 - - 2023 £ 549,657 58,334 53,637 661,628 2023 £ 30,176 47,535 151,816 36,943 136,835 403,305 |
Totals £ 82,797 10,876 93,673 82,117 9,317 91,434 2,239 680 2022 £ 419,086 - 35,188 |
Totals £ 82,797 10,876 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 93,673 | ||||
| 82,117 9,317 |
||||
| 91,434 | ||||
| 2,239 | ||||
| 680 | ||||
| 454,274 | ||||
| 2022 £ 32,145 23,641 164,555 65,715 121,553 |
||||
| 407,609 |
Page 26
continued...
SOUTHWARK LAW CENTRE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued for the year ended 31 March 2023
14. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
| Unrestricted funds General fund Staff Contingency fund Equipment fund Lease and premises fund Restricted funds Partnership with Project 17 Universal Credit Mitigation Project Homeless Patients Legal Advocacy Fund EU Settlement Application Fund Action for Refugees Sickle Cell Community Benefit TOTAL FUNDS |
At 1.4.22 £ 407,729 50,000 50,000 100,000 607,729 14,807 - - - 16,232 - 31,039 638,768 |
Net movement in funds £ (7,006) - - - (7,006) (14,807) 1,042 (13,735) 28,986 (16,232) (10,000) (24,746) (31,752) |
At 31.3.23 £ 400,723 50,000 50,000 100,000 600,723 - 1,042 (13,735) 28,986 - (10,000) 6,293 607,016 |
|---|---|---|---|
continued...
Page 27
SOUTHWARK LAW CENTRE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued for the year ended 31 March 2023
14. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Migrant Housing Advice Project Migrant Children & Young People's Project The Baring Foundation Partnership with Project 17 London Legal Support Trust Universal Credit Mitigation Project Planning Voice Project Homeless Patients Legal Advocacy Fund EU Settlement Application Fund Access to Justice Action for Refugees The Indigo Trust Windrush Justice Project AB Charitable Trust Strategic Legal Fund City Bridge Trust South London Refugee Association Sickle Cell Community Benefit London Councils The Legal Education Foundation Leathermarket JMB TOTAL FUNDS |
Incoming resources £ 844,143 70,000 20,000 42,500 30,037 44,300 15,730 77,498 225,167 94,631 14,672 16,931 50,000 49,850 27,083 5,554 32,850 33,397 50,000 83,863 11,537 2,360 997,960 1,842,103 |
Resources expended £ (851,149) (70,000) (20,000) (42,500) (44,844) (44,300) (14,688) (77,498) (238,902) (65,645) (14,672) (33,163) (50,000) (49,850) (27,083) (5,554) (32,850) (33,397) (60,000) (83,863) (11,537) (2,360) (1,022,706 ) (1,873,855 ) |
Movement in funds £ (7,006) - - - (14,807) - 1,042 - (13,735) 28,986 - (16,232) - - - - - - (10,000) - - - (24,746) (31,752) |
|---|---|---|---|
continued...
Page 28
SOUTHWARK LAW CENTRE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued for the year ended 31 March 2023
14. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Comparatives for movement in funds
| Unrestricted funds General fund Staff Contingency fund Equipment fund Lease and premises fund Restricted funds Partnership with Project 17 Homeless Patients Legal Advocacy Fund Access to Justice Action for Refugees Walcot Foundation TOTAL FUNDS |
At 1.4.21 £ 366,968 80,000 70,000 130,000 646,968 - 16,726 3,700 16,232 18,338 54,996 701,964 |
Net movement in funds £ (39,239) - - - (39,239) 14,807 (16,726) (3,700) - (18,338) (23,957) (63,196) |
Transfers between funds £ 80,000 (30,000) (20,000) (30,000) - - - - - - - - |
At 31.3.22 £ 407,729 50,000 50,000 100,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 607,729 14,807 - - 16,232 - |
||||
| 31,039 | ||||
| 638,768 |
continued...
Page 29
SOUTHWARK LAW CENTRE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued for the year ended 31 March 2023
14. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Migrant Housing Advice Project Migrant Children & Young People's Project Partnership with Project 17 Universal Credit Mitigation Project Planning Voice Project Justice First Fellowship Homeless Patients Legal Advocacy Fund EU Settlement Application Fund Access to Justice Action for Refugees Walcot Foundation The Indigo Trust Windrush Justice Project AB Charitable Trust Strategic Legal Fund Southwark Council EU Settlement Scheme TOTAL FUNDS |
Incoming resources £ 951,021 15,000 20,000 23,178 9,896 79,617 31,376 119,417 80,445 - 33,538 - 50,000 63,500 22,917 12,530 68,526 629,940 1,580,961 |
Resources expended £ (990,260) (15,000) (20,000) (8,371) (9,896) (79,617) (31,376) (136,143) (80,445) (3,700) (33,538) (18,338) (50,000) (63,500) (22,917) (12,530) (68,526) (653,897) (1,644,157 ) |
Movement in funds £ (39,239) - - 14,807 - - - (16,726) - (3,700) - (18,338) - - - - - (23,957) (63,196) |
|---|---|---|---|
Restricted monies are carried forward to be utilised in the next financial year.
Restricted
AB Charitable Trust: Funding for an Immigration Caseworker at the Windrush Justice Clinic.
Action for Refugees in Lewisham: Funding for solicitor costs to provide immigration advice for families in Lewisham.
Access to Justice: Funding for cost of living legal support.
The Baring Foundation: Funding to develop a second-tier support hub to provide legal advice and training for community organisations in the areas of education and discrimination law. Bridging funding for the Planning Voice Project.
The Home Office: Funding to provide support on EU settlement applications.
Guys & St Thomas' Charity: Funding for casework for Homeless patients.
The Indigo Trust: Funding for immigration and housing casework and representation at Lewisham Law Centre.
The Legal Education Foundation: Funding for the Access to Education Rights project.
continued...
Page 30
SOUTHWARK LAW CENTRE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued for the year ended 31 March 2023
14. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Children in Need: The funding contributes to the salary and related costs of a solicitor to provide immigration advice for young migrants.
City Bridge Trust: Funding for the salary costs of a full-time paralegal, offering welfare benefits advice to low income private and social tenants facing eviction in Lambeth and Southwark.
Trust for London: Funding for the Migrant Housing Project. Funding to help source new office accommodation.
Project 17: Funding for immigration casework for destitute families.
Paul Hamlyn Foundation: Funding for the coordination of the Windrush Justice project.
The National Lottery Community Fund: Funding for the Planning Voice project.
Strategic Legal Fund: Funding for pre-litigation work to address race discrimination in schools.
Southwark Council EU Settlement Scheme: Funding to provide access to the EU Settlement Scheme for Southwark residents.
United St Saviours Charity: Funding for Southwark Law Centre to jointly coordinate the Southwark the Universal Credit Network in partnership with Citizens Advice Southwark. Funding for education casework. Bridging funding for Planning Voice.
Walcot Foundation: Funding for a housing paralegal.
Windrush Justice Clinic: Funding from Allen and Overy Foundation, Paul Hamlyn Foundation and King's College London to offer legal ad vice to victims of the Windrush scandal.
The Legal Education Foundation: Funding for the Action for Education Rights project.
London Legal Support Trust: Funding for cost of living support, to increase advice capacity to help people affected by the rising cost of living and to improve community outreach.
London Councils: Funding for the South East Region Immigration Advice project, for people who are or who are at risk of sleeping rough.
Leathermarket JMB: Funding for cost of living support for Leathermarket residents.
South London Refugee Association: Funding for second tier advice for their team.
NHS England: Contracts for casework for homeless patients and people with Sickle Cell disease.
Unrestricted
Access to Justice: Funding for core costs.
AB Charitable Trust: Funding for core costs.
The Legal Education Foundation: Funding for core costs.
The Indigo Trust: Funding for Lewisham Law Centre.
continued...
Page 31
SOUTHWARK LAW CENTRE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued for the year ended 31 March 2023
14. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
London Legal Support Trust: Core funding as part of the 'Centre of Excellence' project.
Kings Health Partnership Pathway: Funding for training and second tier advice for health professionals.
Westminster Foundation: Funding for equipment to enable staff to work from home during the pandemic.
South London Refugee Association: Funding for second tier advice.
Southwark Council: Contract to provide specialist legal advice in Southwark. Partnership project with Citizens Advice Southwark funding to run know your rights sessions for private tenants.
Southwark Immigration Advice: Funding for immigration advice for homeless people.
Greenwich Council: Funding for an immigration solicitor providing immigration advice for homeless people.
15. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 March 2023.
Page 32
SOUTHWARK LAW CENTRE
DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES for the year ended 31 March 2023
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS Donations and legacies Donations Investment income Deposit account interest Charitable activities Grants Legal Aid Contract & Representation Prize award Specialist contracts Miscellaneous income Total incoming resources EXPENDITURE Charitable activities Salaries Social security Pensions Recruitment, temporary staff & training expenses Replacement law books Legal Aid costs Computer accessories, software & support Legal and professional fees Annual report Practising certificates Insurance professional indemnity Lawtel Support costs Finance Other operating leases Other Rent and rates Carried forward |
2023 £ 37,348 413 1,119,229 457,176 - 226,217 1,720 1,804,342 1,842,103 1,230,454 130,933 255,813 7,522 1,607 15,413 42,280 11,466 288 3,101 2,750 2,837 1,704,464 3,688 41,523 41,523 |
2022 £ 75,523 14 861,510 395,226 20,000 228,688 - |
|---|---|---|
| 1,505,424 | ||
| 1,580,961 1,051,938 108,421 233,591 10,693 1,606 35,805 32,776 5,940 240 4,884 2,416 2,723 |
||
| 1,491,033 2,721 41,299 41,299 |
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
Page 33
SOUTHWARK LAW CENTRE
DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES for the year ended 31 March 2023
| Other Brought forward Insurance Light and heat Telephone Postage and stationery Sundries Repairs & maintenance Bookkeeping Travel & subsistence Bank charges Subscriptions Cleaning Office move costs Fixtures and fittings Depreciation of law library Computer equipment Governance costs Auditors' remuneration AGM costs Total resources expended Net expenditure |
2023 £ 41,523 1,794 4,936 14,294 11,902 7,786 2,216 29,736 4,341 313 20,777 4,182 3,750 746 1 8,570 156,867 8,400 436 8,836 1,873,855 (31,752) |
2022 £ 41,299 1,995 1,773 14,523 21,329 3,752 4,676 29,725 4,324 907 12,287 2,125 - 226 1 2,861 141,803 8,600 - 8,600 1,644,157 (63,196) |
|---|---|---|
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
Page 34