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2023-08-31-accounts

LAWYERS’ MUSIC

_____

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 August 2023

REGISTERED ADDRESS: 18 Northington Street
London
WC1N 2NW
COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1952985
CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 293015
BANKERS: HSBC
HONORARY PRESIDENT: H W Ashton
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: A M Blankfield
B Cater – Chair
S M Gibbons
W F G Hess – Treasurer and Secretary
R J Reid
O Robinson (appointed 30 October 2023)
S Sadoughi
J Tuppen
S Webbe

LAWYERS’ MUSIC

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE

The Committee Members submit their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2023. The names of those who served on the Committee during the year are given on page 1.

Structure, governance and management

Lawyers’ Music is a company limited by guarantee, constituted in accordance with its Memorandum and Articles of Association. Each of the members has undertaken to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 towards the assets of the company in the event of the same being wound up and the assets being insufficient to cover its liabilities.

The company is managed by the Committee, which is made up of members whose appointment is subject to approval by the membership as a whole in General Meeting.

Objectives and activities

The company is established “to advance the aesthetic education of the public throughout the world in the art and science of music”. It works to achieve this aim:

The company publicises its activities through its website www.lawyersmusic.org.uk.

The Committee members have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.

Achievements and performance

After several difficult years during the period of COVID-19, the Committee focussed on rebuilding membership numbers during the year, investing in online advertising and reducing the price of subscriptions for student members. The Committee were pleased to see the initiative having a positive impact with paid membership increasing to 108 members compared to 85 in the prior year. The Committee intends to build on this in 2023-24 although the majority of the growth was likely down to individuals feeling more comfortable returning post-COVID-19.

With the majority of members returning post-COVID-19 and several new members, the charity was able to enjoy a successful year of its music-making and charitable activities, putting on the following programme of events:

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LAWYERS’ MUSIC

Music and Nicolas Ledermann from the Orchestre du Palais de Justice. The first concert was held on 11 March 2023 at Holy Sepulchre in London with a repeat performance on 25 March 2023 at Eglise Saint Vincent de Paul in Paris;

Lawyers’ Music 40th Anniversary

2023 represented Lawyers’ Music 40th year of bringing lawyers and their friends together to make music and advance the charitable aims of the organisation. Founded by students from the Guildford College of Law and giving its first performance in London in 1983, “LM” has gone from strength to strength.

Over the past 40 years, Lawyers’ Music has maintained a full non-audition choir and a symphony orchestra and performed an ever-extending repertoire. Its young musicians’ bursary programme has attracted outstanding young conductors and offered roles to talented soloists at the start of their musical careers.

40th Anniversary Patrons

Lawyers’ Music is very grateful to all our personal and corporate supporters, past and present.

We would like to thank particularly our 40th Anniversary Patrons: Hubert Ashton, Katie Bradford, Sophie & Sean Gibbons, Bernadette Hillman & Andrew Blankfield, Larissa Joy, Helen Mortlock & Hugh Pearce, Richard Syred, Nicola & John Ellard and Geoffrey Hunter for their generosity in this landmark year.

Donations and legacies

Following the sad death of long-time choir and Committee member, Judith Clixby, last year, Lawyers’ Music were extremely grateful to receive a generous donation from her family in her memory which will be used to further the work of the organisation to which she gave so much of her time and energy.

Financial review

2023 saw a strong financial recovery for the charity with increased membership numbers and higher subscriptions to address the significant increases in costs of venues and performers. The financial result for the year was an excess of income over expenditure amounting to £15,656 ( 2022: deficit of £2,144 ).

This includes a further adjustment for Orchestra Tax Relief with respect to previous years of £7,142 and one-off donations (as described above) of £6,545. Removing this one-off income, and the exceptional expenses incurred on the Paris collaboration, indicates a normalised net-deficit of £18 reflecting the careful budgeting work performed by the Committee. Nevertheless, the charity continues to be subject to inflationary pressures and must continue to budget prudently. However, mindful of the financial difficulties many are

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LAWYERS’ MUSIC

facing in the current environment, the charity has sought to minimise subscription increases where possible.

As at 31 August 2023 the company had bank deposits totalling £25,064 ( 2022: £9,609). The company also had amounts recoverable under gift aid of £9,344 ( 2022: £3,175 ). The sums include general reserves which the company aims to maintain at the level of at least half a year’s expenditure and this will continue to be closely monitored. They also include the balance of the Helen Sibthorp legacy (£19,622, of which £2,073 remains) bequeathed to Lawyers’ Music by former member Helen Sibthorp “ in the hope that they will do something truly interesting with it ”, together with a further legacy of (£5,000, of which £553 remains) bequeathed by former member Sylvia Kapp in October 2014.

This report has been prepared taking advantage of the small companies exemption in accordance with s.415A, Companies Act 2006.

This Report was approved by the Committee on 20 November 2023.

B Cater Committee Chair 20 November 2023

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LAWYERS’ MUSIC

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

For the year ended 31 August 2023

Note
Income– Resources arising
Income from regular concerts
Income from special events
Donations and legacies
Subscriptions
Income Tax recoverable under Gift Aid
6
Interest receivable
Orchestra Tax Credit
7
Expenditure– Resources used
Direct charitable expenditure:
Costs of regular concerts
2
Costs of special events
Administration costs
3
Net movement of resources in the year
(Deficit)/surplus
Reserves brought forward
Reserves carried forward		 2023
2022
£
£
8,336
4,461
35
0
7,545
1,465
20,635
13,410
6,169
3,198
0
1
8,360
7,186
51,080
29,721
(30,953)
(29,026)
(1,465)
0
(3,006)
(2,838)
(35,424)
(31,864)
15,656
(2,144)
20,629
22,773
36,285
20,629

The notes on page 6 form part of these financial statements.

The above results, which have been calculated on the historical cost basis, are wholly attributable to the continuing activities of the company.

There are no recognised gains or losses for either year, other than those shown above.

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LAWYERS’ MUSIC

BALANCE SHEET

As at 31 August 2023
Current assets
Debtors and prepayments
Cash at bank
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Other creditors and accruals
Net assets
Reserves
Income and expenditure account -
Balance brought forward
(Deficit)/surplus for the year
Balance carried forward
Of which:
Legacy reserves
Sibthorp legacy brought forward
Movement in the year
Sibthorp legacy carried forward
Kapp legacy brought forward
Movement in the year
Kapp legacy carried forward
General reserves
Brought forward
Movement in the year
Carried forward		 2023
2022
£
£
11,220
11,020
25,064
9,609
36,285
20,629
0
0
36,285
20,629
20,629
22,773
15,656
(2,144)
36,285
20,629
2,073
2,073
0
0
2,073
2,073
553
553
0
0
553
553
18,003
20,147
15,656
(2,144)
33,659
18,003

The notes on page 6 form part of these financial statements.

For the year ended 31 August 2023 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The directors acknowledge their responsibility for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and for the preparation of accounts.

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to small companies’ regime.

B Cater Committee Chair

Approved by the Committee on 20 November 2023.

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LAWYERS’ MUSIC

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 August 2023

1. Accounting policy

Basis of Accounting

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention in accordance with applicable accounting standards.

2.

3.

Concert expenses
Soloists’ and instrumentalists’ fees and expenses
Conductors’ fees and expenses
Hire of venues
Hire and carriage of music
Publicity and programmes
Hire of equipment and instruments
Other concert expenses
Administration costs
Society website and membership platform
Registrar of Companies
Making Music (National Federation of Music Societies)
PRS for Music fees
Account fees
Advertising
Sundry expenses		 2023
£
12,572
3,310
11,702
1,031
494
1,318
526
30,953
2023
772
13
476
0
62
1,637
46
3,006		 2022
£
10,737
3,980
11,590
873
312
1,211
323
29,026
2022
923
13
295
0
120
1,288
199
2,838

4. Committee members’ emoluments

The Committee Members receive no emoluments in respect of their services on the Committee. The Charity has no employees.

5. Income

Income is accounted for on the basis of amounts received or receivable in respect of activities in the financial year.

6. Tax status

Due to the charitable status of the company, no taxation arises on the results for the year. Income tax recoverable on subscriptions and donations paid under Gift Aid is accrued and amounted to £6,169 (2022: £3,198).

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LAWYERS’ MUSIC

7. Orchestra Tax Credit

Due to the orchestral productions undertaken by Lawyers’ Music, Orchestra Tax Credit is available with respect to the production cost of Orchestral events. After expenses, the Orchestra Tax Credit accrued in the current year was £8,360 (2022: £7,186). Note, of the current year figure, the majority relates to additional amounts received with respect to prior years. The amount which relates to concerts during the year ended 31 August 2023 is £1,217.

8. Related Party Transactions

During the year, Lawyers’ Music engaged Susie Blankfield, who is the daughter of committee member Andrew Blankfield, to lead on cello in the Messiah on 8 July 2023. In total she received £335 (2022: £1,350) which was all settled within the year. Andrew Blankfield took no part in any discussions relating to this appointment.

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CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES

Independent examiner's report on the accounts

----- Start of picture text -----
Section A Independent Examiner's Report
Report to the
members of
I ' I
- - ------------------------------'
On accounts for the year
ended
131 August 2023. ______________ ,____________________, I
Charity no.: Company no.:
293015
I I I _ I �952985
S�o�on�g�I�1_-_a______
_ __,\
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the
Company for the year ended 31/08/2023
Responsibilities and As the charity's trustees of the Company (who are also the directors of the
basis of report company for the purposes of company law), you are responsible for the
preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the
Companies Act 2006 ("the 2006 Act").
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required
to be audited for this year under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for
independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your
charity's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011
("the 2011 Act"). In carrying out my examination, I have followed the
Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the
2011 Act.
Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have
examiner's statement come to my attention cause to believe that: (oth8r ibao tb.it disclosed b8lo'W which gives me
• accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 386 of the
Companies Act 2006; or
• the accounts do not accord with such records; or
• the accounts do not comply with relevant accounting requirements under
section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 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; or
•the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the Charities
SORP (FRS102).
_
trustees/directors/ Lawyers' Music
----- End of picture text -----

IER

October 2018

1

I have no concems 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. . Please delete the wonts in the brackets rfthey do not apply. Signed: Date: 0410212024 Name: Geofftey Matthew Hunter Relevant professional qualification{s) or body lif any): FCA (ICAEW) Address: Flat 34 Dap*vin Court GIOu￿ster Avenue London NW17BG Section B Disclosure Only complete rf the examiner needs to highlight material matters of Concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts.. directions and guidan￿ for examiners). Give here brief details of any items that the examinerwishes to disclose. IER October 2018