Registered number:
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
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INFORMATION
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CONTENTS
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MEMBERS' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
The members present their annual report together with the audited financial statements of Gherson Solicitors LLP (the "LLP") for the year ended 31 March 2023.
Principal activities
The LLP was incorporated on
The principal activity of the LLP is the provision of legal services.
Designated Members
R Gherson and C N R Burnett were designated members of the LLP throughout the period.
Members' capital and interests
Members are remunerated from the profits of the LLP and are required to make their own provision for pensions and other benefits. Profits are allocated and divided between members after finalisation of the financial statements. Members draw a proportion of their profit shares monthly during the year in which it is made, with the balance of profits being distributed after the year, subject to the cash requirements of the business.
Members' responsibilities statement
The members are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
Company law, (as applied by The Limited Liability Partnerships (Accounts and Audit) (Application of Companies Act 2006) Regulations 2008), requires the members to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the members have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law, (as applied by The Limited Liability Partnerships (Accounts and Audit) (Application of Companies Act 2006) Regulations 2008) the members must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the LLP and of the profit or loss of the LLP for that period.
In preparing these financial statements, the members are required to:
∙select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
∙make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
∙prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the LLP will continue in business.
The members are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the LLP's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the LLP and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006 (as applied by The Limited Liability Partnerships (Accounts and Audit) (Application of the Companies Act 2006) Regulations 2008). They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the LLP and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
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MEMBERS' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
Disclosure of information to auditors
Each of the persons who are members at the time when this Members' Report is approved has confirmed that:
∙so far as that member is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the LLP's auditors are unaware, and
∙that member has taken all the steps that ought to have been taken as a member in order to be aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the LLP's auditors are aware of that information.
This report was approved by the members on 8 November 2023 and signed on their behalf by:
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INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF GHERSON SOLICITORS LLP
We have audited the financial statements of Gherson Solicitors LLP (the 'LLP') for the year ended 31 March 2023, which comprise the Statement of Comprehensive Income, the Statement of Financial Position, the Statement of Cash Flows and the related notes, 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, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
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 LLP in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the United Kingdom, including the Financial Reporting Council'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.
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the members' 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 LLP'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 members with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
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INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF GHERSON SOLICITORS LLP (CONTINUED)
The members are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report, other than the financial statements and our Auditors' Report 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 there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. 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.
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
∙the information given in the Members' Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
∙the Members' Report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the LLP and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Members' Report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
∙adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
∙the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
∙certain disclosures of members' remuneration specified by law are not made; or
∙we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
As explained more fully in the Members' Responsibilities Statement set out on page , the members 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 members 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 members are responsible for assessing the LLP'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 members either intend to liquidate the LLP or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
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INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF GHERSON SOLICITORS LLP (CONTINUED)
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an Auditors' Report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:
Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows:
∙the engagement partner ensured that the engagement team collectively had the appropriate competence, capabilities and skills to identify or recognise non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
∙we identified the laws and regulations applicable to the LLP through discussions with directors and other management, and from our commercial knowledge of the legal sector;
∙we focused on specific laws and regulations which we considered may have a direct material effect on the financial statements or the operations of the LLP, including the Companies Act 2006,taxation legislation and data protection, anti-bribery, employment, environmental and health and safety legislation];
∙we assessed the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations identified above through making enquiries of management and inspecting legal correspondence; and
∙identified laws and regulations were communicated within the audit team regularly and the team remained alert to instances of non-compliance throughout the audit.
We assessed the susceptibility of the LLP's financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by:
∙making enquiries of management as to where they considered there was susceptibility to fraud, their knowledge of actual, suspected and alleged fraud;
∙considering the internal controls in place to mitigate risks of fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations; and
∙understanding the design of the LLP’s remuneration policies.
To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we:
∙performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships;
∙tested journal entries to identify unusual transactions;
∙assessed whether judgements and assumptions made in determining the accounting estimates were indicative of potential bias; and
∙investigated the rationale behind significant or unusual transactions.
In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to:
∙agreeing financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation;
∙performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships;
∙enquiring of management as to actual and potential litigation and claims; and
∙reviewing correspondence with HMRC, relevant regulators and the LLP's legal advisors.
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INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF GHERSON SOLICITORS LLP (CONTINUED)
There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of non-compliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the directors and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.
Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.
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 Auditors' Report.
The comparative figures were not audited.
This report is made solely to the LLP'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 LLP's member 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 LLP and the LLP's members, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
for and on behalf of
Sopher + Co LLP
Chartered Accountants
Statutory Auditors
5 Elstree Gate
Elstree Way
Borehamwood
Hertfordshire
WD6 1JD
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STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
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STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
AS AT 31 MARCH 2023
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STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION (CONTINUED)
AS AT 31 MARCH 2023
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the members and were signed on their behalf on
The notes on pages 12 to 20 form part of these financial statements.
Gherson Solicitors LLP has no equity and, in accordance with the provisions contained within the Statement of Recommended Practice "Accounting by Limited Liability Partnerships", has not presented a Statement of Changes in Equity.
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RECONCILIATION OF MEMBERS' INTERESTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
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STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
Gherson Solicitors LLP is a limited liability partnership incorporated in England & Wales, with its registered office address and principal place of business at 17a - 19 Harcourt Street, London, W1F 4HF.
The LLP commenced trading on 1 April 2022 following the transfer of the assets, liabilities and business of Ghersons Solicitors, an unincorporated business. This transaction has been accounted for as a group reconstruction, using the principles of merger accounting, as set out in the LLP SORP. Corresponding amounts are proforma and were not subject to audit. The policies applied under the previous entity's accounting framework are not materially different to FRS 102 and have not impacted on equity or profit or loss.
2.Accounting policies
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention unless otherwise specified within these accounting policies and in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 102, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland and the Companies Act 2006 and the requirements of the Statement of Recommended Practice "Accounting by Limited Liability Partnerships".
The preparation of financial statements in compliance with FRS 102 requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise judgment in applying the LLP's accounting policies (see note 3).
The following principal accounting policies have been applied:
Functional and presentation currency
Transactions and balances
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
2.Accounting policies (continued)
Where work is unbilled at the reporting date, an estimated accrued income is recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income and Statement of Financial Position based on the stage of completion of the transaction where it is probable that the economic benefits of the transaction will flow to the LLP and the value can be estimated reliably. Turnover which has been recognised but not invoiced by the reporting date is included in trade debtors.
A division of profits is the mechanism by which the profits of an LLP become a debt due to members. A division may be automatic or discretionary, may relate to some or all of the profits for a financial period and may take place during or after the end of a financial period.
An automatic division of profits is one where the LLP does not have an unconditional right to avoid making a division of an amount of profits based on the members' agreement in force at the time, whereas a discretionary division of profits requires a decision to be made by the LLP, which it has the unconditional right to avoid making.
The LLP divides profits both automatically and discretionarily. Automatic divisions of profits are recognised as 'Members' remuneration charged as an expense' in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.
The LLP classifies distributions of profits as financing cash flows in the Statement of Cash Flows.
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
2.Accounting policies (continued)
All intangible assets are considered to have a finite useful life. If a reliable estimate of the useful life cannot be made, the useful life shall not exceed ten years.
Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method.
Depreciation is provided on the following basis:
The assets' residual values, useful lives and depreciation methods are reviewed, and adjusted prospectively if appropriate, or if there is an indication of a significant change since the last reporting date.
Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing the proceeds with the carrying amount and are recognised in profit or loss.
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
2.Accounting policies (continued)
The LLP only enters into basic financial instrument transactions that result in the recognition of financial assets and liabilities like trade and other debtors and creditors, loans from banks and other third parties, loans to and from related parties.
To determine the recoverable value of unbilled time at the reporting date and to make a provision for irrecoverable and unbillable work in progress. To make an estimate of the recoverable value of debtors. When assessing impairment of trade debtors, other debtors, management consider factors including ageing profile and historic experience. To determine whether there are indicators of impairment of the Group’s tangible and intangible assets. The factors taken into consideration include the economic life of the assets and expected future financial performance of the assets. To make the best estimate of the likelihood of future cash flows for professional indemnity and other commercial claims. Other key sources of estimation uncertainty Tangible and intangible fixed assets are depreciated over their useful lives taking into account residual values, where appropriate. The actual lives of the assets and residual values are assessed annually and may vary depending on a number of factors. In re-assessing asset lives, factors such as technological innovation and maintenance programmes are taken into account. Residual value assessments consider issues such as future market conditions, the remaining life of the asset and projected disposal values.
Analysis of turnover by country of destination:
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
Loans and other debts due to members may be further analysed as follows:
Loans and other debts due to members rank equally with debts due to ordinary creditors in the event of a winding up.
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
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