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Registration number: 06611251

Roythornes Limited

Annual Report and Financial Statements

for the Year Ended 30 June 2023

 

Roythornes Limited

Contents

Company Information

1

Strategic Report

2 to 3

Directors' Report

4

Statement of Directors' Responsibilities

5

Independent Auditor's Report

6 to 8

Profit and Loss Account

9

Balance Sheet

10

Statement of Changes in Equity

11

Statement of Cash Flows

12

Notes to the Financial Statements

13 to 24

 

Roythornes Limited

Company Information

Directors

P Cookson

T W Galloway

N G Ingrey

E C Johnson

V Mortlock

Company secretary

A E Barrasso

Registered office

Enterprise Way
Pinchbeck
Spalding
Lincolnshire
PE11 3YR

Auditors

Hazlewoods LLP
Windsor House
Bayshill Road
Cheltenham
GL50 3AT

 

Roythornes Limited

Strategic Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2023

The directors present their strategic report for the year ended 30 June 2023.

Principal activity

The principal activity of the company is the provision of legal services.

Fair review of the business

The year ended 30 June 2023 again saw an increase in turnover as the company continues to pursue a growth based strategy to increase resilience, enhance the ability to target larger scale work and assist with absorbing the increasing costs of legal practice. Whilst the gross profit margin decreased, the increase in gross profit in absolute terms helped cushion the significant increase in direct costs, in part attributable to increased recruitment and wage inflation.

With inflationary pressures dominating the current economic climate, overheads also increased over the previous year, though in percentage terms they remained broadly at the same level in relation to turnover. Another result of the current economic climate, and resulting higher interest rates, was a significant increase in the company’s interest receivable compared to the previous year. This went some way to reduce the effect of the increased overheads on the operating profit and operating profit margin, which were both down on the previous year. The Directors will seek to bring about improved margins in the year to 30th June 2024.

The results are summarised in the KPIs section below. The company continued to be self-funded and finished the year with a significant cash balance. The company continues to manage its cash reserves cautiously and determines the timing and quantum of distributions to stakeholders, considering future working capital requirements and planned capital investments.

The closing cash position of £1.0m was a decrease on the previous year’s closing balance. This was largely due to the large personal tax payment made in January 2023 in respect of June 2021 dividends. Bonuses and dividends were paid out to staff and shareholders shortly after the year end. The company remains committed to rewarding its staff fairly, as well as maintaining the right balance between retaining funds for future investment in the growth of the business and rewarding shareholders, who are all employees of the company. As such, all employees contribute to the success of the company.

There was significant recruitment across all practice areas and locations, and the year saw several new partners join. This is testament to our commitment to growing the company both geographically and in terms of services offered.

The company has continued to structure its business development activities on a sector basis, with particular focus on our specialist core sectors. It also retains a heavy focus on private client and property work, both within our core sectors and for private individuals.

Principal risks and uncertainties

As with most businesses, the company’s key risks and uncertainties are associated with:
• Economic conditions;
• Changes in law, regulation or by governmental bodies or regulators;
• Inflationary pressures;
• Interest rate rises;
• Competition in the market; and,
• Loss of key stakeholders.

The Directors have put in place measures to identify and mitigate, so far as is reasonably possible, such risks and uncertainties, including enhanced management practices to monitor and address issues concerning cash flow, changes in trading conditions, cybercrime, money laundering and compliance with regulatory and professional standards. These measures will continue to be kept under review and the appropriate investment in both time and money will be directed towards such issues. The lack of external debt mitigates any risks arising from increased interest rates. However, the Directors consider this to be a material risk as it potentially could affect some of the client base and suppliers.

 

Roythornes Limited

Strategic Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2023

Financial key performance indicators

The company uses traditional key performance indicators, adjusted to make them comparable with other companies. The key financial performance indicators used are as follows:

Financial KPIs

Unit

2023

2022

Turnover

£'000

23,200

20,865

Turnover growth

%

11

12

Gross profit

£'000

13,250

13,048

Gross profit growth

%

2

7

Operating profit

£'000

5,156

5,382

Operating profit percentage

%

22

26

Operating profit growth

%

(4)

4

The company considers gross profit to be turnover less salaries of fee earners and staff related to the provision of legal services.

Non-financial key performance indicators

The company also uses non-financial performance indicators to assess the success or otherwise of the investments made in people and business development activities.

2023

2022

Number of new clients

3,489

3,772

Number of new matters

12,196

11,830

The company will continue to review the most appropriate KPIs for the business each year.

Approved by the Board on 14 March 2024 and signed on its behalf by:


N G Ingrey
Director

 

Roythornes Limited

Directors' Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2023

The directors present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2023.

Directors of the company

The directors who held office during the year were as follows:

B Amlani (ceased 14 December 2022)

P Cookson

T W Galloway (appointed 26 July 2022)

N G Ingrey

E C Johnson

V Mortlock

J T Wright (ceased 26 July 2022)

Disclosure of information to the auditors

Each director has taken steps that they ought to have taken as a director in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the company's auditors are aware of that information. The directors confirm that there is no relevant information that they know of and of which they know the auditors are unaware.

Reappointment of auditors

In accordance with section 485 of the Companies Act 2006, a resolution for the re-appointment of Hazlewoods LLP as auditors of the company is to be proposed at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

Strategic report

The company has chosen in accordance with Companies Act 2006, s. 414C(11) to set out in the company's strategic report information required by the Large and Medium-sized Companies and Group (Accounts and Reports) regulations 2008, Sch. 7 to be contained in the directors' report. It has done so in respect of a fair review of its business, future developments, its principal risks and uncertainties and key financial and non-financial performance indicators.

Approved by the Board on 14 March 2024 and signed on its behalf by:


N G Ingrey
Director

 

Roythornes Limited

Statement of Directors' Responsibilities

The directors are responsible for preparing the Strategic Report, Directors' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors 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 the directors 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 company and of the profit or loss of the company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:

select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;

make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and

prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business.

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

 

Roythornes Limited

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Roythornes Limited

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Roythornes Limited (the 'company') for the year ended 30 June 2023, which comprise the Profit and Loss Account, Balance Sheet, Statement of Changes in Equity, Statement of Cash Flows, 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, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

give a true and fair view of the state of the company's affairs as at 30 June 2023 and of its profit for the year then ended;

have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and

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 auditor responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the 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 directors' 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 company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the original financial statements were authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s 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.

Opinion on other matter prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

the information given in the Strategic Report and Directors' Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

the Strategic Report and Directors' Report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of our knowledge and understanding of the company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Strategic Report and the Directors' Report.

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:

 

Roythornes Limited

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Roythornes Limited

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 directors' remuneration specified by law are not made; or

we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.

Responsibilities of directors

As explained more fully in the Statement of Directors' Responsibilities set out on page 5, the directors 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 directors 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 directors are responsible for assessing the 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 directors either intend to liquidate the company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor 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 an auditor’s 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.

The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a unavoidable risk that material misstatements in the financial statements may not be detected, even though the audit is properly planned and performed in accordance with the ISA's (UK).

In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of fraud, including irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, our procedures included the following:

• We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks applicable to the company financial statements or that had a fundamental effect on the company's operations. We determined that the most significant laws and regulations included UK GAAP, UK Companies Act 2006 and taxation laws.
• We understood how the company is complying with those legal and regulatory frameworks by making inquiries of management, those responsible for legal and compliance procedures.
• We assessed the susceptibility of the company financial statements to material misstatement, including how fraud might occur.

Audit procedures performed by the engagement team included:

• Identifying and assessing the design effectiveness of controls management has in place to prevent and detect fraud;
• Understanding how those charged with governance considered and addressed the potential for override of controls or other inappropriate influence over the financial reporting process. Detailed analysis of journals posted through the accounting system during the year to 30 June 2023 has been undertaken;
• Understanding the controls in place to prevent and detect fraud. Reliance was not placed on controls for the entirety of the audit, instead taking a substantive testing approach, however controls were in place to prevent fraud, and they appeared to be working effectively;
• Challenging assumptions and judgements made by management in its significant accounting estimates.

identifying and assessing the design effectiveness of controls management has in place to prevent and detect fraud;

understanding how those charged with governance considered and addressed the potential for override of controls or other inappropriate influence over the financial reporting process;

challenging assumptions and judgements made by management in its significant accounting estimates; and

identifying and testing journal entries, in particular any journal entries with unusual characteristics.

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

 

Roythornes Limited

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Roythornes Limited

Use of this report
This report is made solely to the 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 company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s 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 company and the company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.





Andrew Harris (Senior Statutory Auditor)
For and on behalf of Hazlewoods LLP, Statutory Auditor
Windsor House
Bayshill Road
Cheltenham
GL50 3AT

14 March 2024

 

Roythornes Limited

Profit and Loss Account for the Year Ended 30 June 2023

Note

2023
£

2022
£

Turnover

3

23,199,988

20,865,374

Administrative expenses

 

(18,828,963)

(15,543,418)

Operating profit

4

4,371,025

5,321,956

Interest receivable and similar income

787,533

60,350

Interest payable and similar charges

(2,142)

(253)

   

785,391

60,097

Profit before tax

 

5,156,416

5,382,053

Taxation

8

(1,187,019)

(1,014,260)

Profit for the financial year

 

3,969,397

4,367,793

The above results were derived from continuing operations.

The company has no other comprehensive income for the year.

 

Roythornes Limited

(Registration number: 06611251)
Balance Sheet as at 30 June 2023

Note

2023
 £

2022
 £

Fixed assets

 

Intangible assets

9

-

525,371

Tangible assets

10

1,097,086

1,042,282

Investments

11

250,000

250,000

 

1,347,086

1,817,653

Current assets

 

Debtors

12

10,919,918

9,854,701

Cash at bank and in hand

 

1,008,154

2,036,827

 

11,928,072

11,891,528

Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

14

(4,160,548)

(4,537,904)

Net current assets

 

7,767,524

7,353,624

Total assets less current liabilities

 

9,114,610

9,171,277

Provisions for liabilities

15

(65,000)

(78,000)

Net assets

 

9,049,610

9,093,277

Capital and reserves

 

Called up share capital

17

648,000

648,000

Capital redemption reserve

142,800

142,800

Profit and loss account

8,258,810

8,302,477

Total equity

 

9,049,610

9,093,277

Approved and authorised by the Board on 14 March 2024 and signed on its behalf by:
 


N G Ingrey
Director

 

Roythornes Limited

Statement of Changes in Equity for the Year Ended 30 June 2023

Share capital
£

Capital redemption reserve
£

Profit and loss account
£

Total
£

At 1 July 2022

648,000

142,800

8,302,477

9,093,277

Profit for the year

-

-

3,969,397

3,969,397

Dividends

-

-

(4,013,064)

(4,013,064)

At 30 June 2023

648,000

142,800

8,258,810

9,049,610

Share capital
£

Capital redemption reserve
£

Treasury shares
£

Profit and loss account
£

Total
£

At 1 July 2021

634,574

142,800

13,426

7,337,914

8,128,714

Profit for the year

-

-

-

4,367,793

4,367,793

Dividends

-

-

-

(3,510,638)

(3,510,638)

Transfer of treasury shares

13,426

-

(13,426)

107,408

107,408

At 30 June 2022

648,000

142,800

-

8,302,477

9,093,277

 

Roythornes Limited

Statement of Cash Flows for the Year Ended 30 June 2023

2023
£

2022
£

Cash flows from operating activities

Profit for the year

3,969,397

4,367,793

Adjustments to cash flows from non-cash items

Depreciation and amortisation

822,831

621,160

Finance income

(787,533)

(60,350)

Finance costs

2,142

253

Income tax expense

1,187,019

1,014,260

5,193,856

5,943,116

Working capital adjustments

Increase in debtors

(1,065,217)

(1,642,238)

(Decrease)/increase in trade creditors

(395,375)

854,850

(Decrease)/increase in provisions

(13,000)

3,000

Other movements

-

107,408

Cash generated from operations

3,720,264

5,266,136

Income taxes paid

(1,169,000)

(1,157,727)

Net cash flow from operating activities

2,551,264

4,108,409

Cash flows from investing activities

Interest received

787,533

60,350

Acquisitions of tangible assets

(352,684)

(408,859)

Proceeds from sale of tangible assets

420

1,375

Net cash flows from investing activities

435,269

(347,134)

Cash flows from financing activities

Interest paid

(2,142)

(253)

Dividends paid

(4,013,064)

(3,510,638)

Net cash flows from financing activities

(4,015,206)

(3,510,891)

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

(1,028,673)

250,384

Cash and cash equivalents at 1 July

2,036,827

1,786,443

Cash and cash equivalents at 30 June

1,008,154

2,036,827

 

Analysis of changes in net debt

At 1 July 2022
£

Financing cash flows
£

Other non-cash changes
£

At 30 June 2023
£

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash

2,036,827

(1,028,673)

-

1,008,154

Borrowings

Short term borrowings

(1,764,978)

-

777,140

(987,838)

 

271,849

(1,028,673)

777,140

20,316

 

Roythornes Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2023

 

1

General information

The company is a private company limited by share capital, incorporated in England and Wales.

The address of its registered office is:
Enterprise Way
Pinchbeck
Spalding
Lincolnshire
PE11 3YR

 

2

Accounting policies

Summary of significant accounting policies and key accounting estimates

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.

Statement of compliance

These financial statements were prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland and the Companies Act 2006'.

Basis of preparation

These financial statements have been prepared using the historical cost convention except for, where disclosed in these accounting policies, certain items that are shown at fair value.

The presentational currency of the financial statements is Pounds Sterling, being the functional currency of the primary economic environment in which the company operates. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest Pound.

Group accounts not prepared

The financial statements present information about the company as an individual undertaking and not about its group. The company has two subsidiary undertakings which have not traded during the current or prior year. The company has taken advantage of the exemptions provided by section 405(2) of the Companies Act 2006 to not prepare group accounts on the basis that the inclusion of the company's subsidiaries is not material for the purposes of giving a true and fair view.

Going concern

After reviewing the company's forecasts and projections, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The company therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing its financial statements.

Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty
In the application of the company’s accounting policies, the directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amounts 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 if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.
 

 

Roythornes Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2023

Key sources of estimation uncertainty

Goodwill and Intangible assets - The directors establish a reliable estimate of the useful life of goodwill and intangible assets arising on business combinations. This estimate is based on the variety of factors such as the expected use of the acquired business, the expected useful life of the cash generating units to which the goodwill is attributed, any legal, regulatory or contractual provisions that can limit useful life and assumptions that market participants would consider in respect of similar businesses.

Impairments of intangible assets - Significant judgement is involved in the process of identifying and evaluating intangible assets. Intangible assets with a finite life are reviewed for impairment when an impairment trigger is identified. Calculating any subsequent impairment, principally in the estimation of the future cash flows of the cash generating units and the discount rate applied to each cash generating unit involves judgement. The company prepares cash flow forecasts derived from the most recent financial budgets and financial plans approved by the directors and extrapolates cash flow beyond this time base on an estimated long term growth rate. The key assumptions are consistent with past experience and with external sources of information.

Impairment of fixed assets - The directors assess the impairment of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets subject to amortisation or depreciation whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Factors considered important that could trigger an impairment review include the following:
- Significant underperformance relative to historical or projected future operating results;
- Significant changes in the manner of the use of the acquired assets or the strategy for the overall
business; and
- Significant negative industry or economic trends

Amounts recoverable on contracts valuation - Significant judgement is applied in assessing the recoverable amount of unbilled work performed on behalf of a client. Consideration is given to the historic recovery rates of unbilled work when making the judgement. When work is undertaken where the ability to bill it is based upon contingent events, or is conditional on outcomes then unless the relevant event or outcome has been crystallised, or can be reliably foreseen, an appropriate provision is applied against such unbilled work. The carrying amount is £5,578,969 (2022 -£5,165,732).

Recoverability of debtors - Trade and other debtors are recognised to the extent that they are judged recoverable. The directors' reviews are performed to estimate the level of reserves required for irrecoverable debt. Provisions are made specifically against invoices where recoverability is uncertain. The directors make allowance for doubtful debts based on an assessment of the recoverability of debtors. Allowances are applied to debtors where events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable. The directors specifically analyse historical bad debts, customer creditworthiness, current economic trends and changes in customer payment terms when making a judgement to evaluate the adequacy of the provision for doubtful debts. Where the expectation is different from the original estimate, such difference will impact the carrying value of debtors and the charge in the profit or loss. The carrying amount is £334,689 (2022 -£264,998).

Provision - A provision is recognised when the company has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of a past event for which it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation and the amount can be reliably estimated. If the effect is material, provisions are determined by discounting the expected future cash flow at a rate that reflects the time value of money and the risks specific to the liability. Whether a present obligation is probable or not requires judgement. The nature and type of risks for these provisions differ and the directors' judgement is applied regarding the nature and extent of obligations in deciding if an outflow of resources is probable or not. The carrying amount is £65,000 (2022 -£78,000).

 

Roythornes Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2023

Revenue recognition

Turnover is recognised at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for goods and services
provided in the normal course of business, and is shown net of VAT and other sales related taxes. The fair value of consideration takes into account trade discounts, settlement discounts and volume rebates. When cash inflows are deferred and represent a financing arrangement, the fair value of the consideration is the present value of the future receipts. The difference between the fair value of the consideration and the nominal amount received is recognised as interest income.

Revenue from contracts for the provision of professional services is recognised by reference to the stage of completion when the stage of completion, costs incurred and costs to complete can be estimated reliably. The stage of completion is calculated by comparing costs incurred, mainly In relation to contractual hourly staff rates and materials, as a proportion of total costs. Where the outcome cannot be estimated reliably, revenue is recognised only to the extent of the expenses recognised that it is probable will be recovered.

Unbilled revenue is included in debtors as accrued income.

Certain services provided by the Company are undertaken on a contingent basis, and the Company is not entitled to revenue until such time as the contingency is satisfied. The Company accounts for such services at the balance sheet date at valuation less a provision for estimated recovery, on a matter by matter basis, and matches the costs deferred from one accounting period to the next against revenue when the Company becomes entitled to that revenue. Such contingent work in progress is included within amounts recoverable on contracts at the balance sheet date.

The valuation of contingent matters requires management to make significant estimates and judgements in relation to the likely future outcome of those matters. If it is considered likely that the matter will succeed, and that there will be recoveries sufficient to settle amounts due to the Company, the cost of services in progress at the balance sheet date is recognised in amounts recoverable on contracts. If there is doubt as to recovery, provision is made against costs incurred. If the contingency has been satisfied and the Company is entitled to revenue which will be paid at a future date, the amount to which the Company is entitled based on services provided is included in amounts recoverable on contracts. No profit is recognised until such time as the Company becomes entitled to it.

Tax

The tax expense represents the sum of the current tax expense and deferred tax expense. Current tax
assets are recognised when tax paid exceeds the tax payable.

Current and deferred tax is charged or credited to profit or loss, except when it relates to items charged or
credited to other comprehensive income or equity, when the tax follows the transaction or event it relates to
and is also charged or credited to other comprehensive income, or equity.

Current tax assets and current tax liabilities and deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are offset, if
and only if, there is a legally enforceable right to set of the amounts and the entity intends either to settle
on the net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Current tax is based on taxable profit for the year. Current tax assets and liabilities are measured using tax
rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date.

Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply to the period when the asset is
realised or the liability is settled based on tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the
reporting date.

Deferred tax liabilities are recognised In respect of all timing differences that exist at the reporting date.
Timing differences are differences between taxable profits and total comprehensive income that arise from
the inclusion of income and expenses in tax assessments in different periods from their recognition in the
financial statements. Deferred tax assets are recognised only to the extent that it is probable that they will
be recovered by the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits.

 

Roythornes Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2023

Tangible assets

Tangible assets are stated in the statement of financial position at cost, less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.

The cost of tangible assets includes directly attributable incremental costs incurred in their acquisition and installation.

Depreciation

Depreciation is charged so as to write off the cost of assets, other than land and properties under construction over their estimated useful lives, as follows:

Asset class

Depreciation method and rate

Leasehold improvements

Over the life of the lease

Fixtures and fittings

5 - 20 years straight line

Office equipment

4 - 5 years straight line

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of acquisition of unincorporated businesses over the fair value of net assets acquired. It is initially recognised as an asset at cost and is subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill is considered to have a finite useful life and is amortised on a systematic basis over its expected life, which is 10 years.

For the purposes of impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to the cash-generating units expected to benefit from the acquisition. Cash-generating units to which goodwill has been allocated are tested for impairment at least annually, or more frequently when there is an indication that the unit may be impaired.
If the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit is less than the carrying amount of the unit, the impairment loss is allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the unit and then to other assets of the unit pro-rata on the basis of the carrying amount of each asset in the unit.

Amortisation

Amortisation is provided on intangible assets so as to write off the cost, less any estimated residual value, over their useful life as follows:

Asset class

Amortisation method and rate

Goodwill

10 years straight line

Investments

Investments in equity shares which are publicly traded or where the fair value can be measured reliably are initially measured at fair value, with changes in fair value recognised in profit or loss. Investments in equity shares which are not publicly traded and where fair value cannot be measured reliably are measured at cost less impairment.

A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the company. Control is the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.

Interest income on debt securities, where applicable, is recognised in income using the effective interest method. Dividends on equity securities are recognised in income when receivable.

 

Roythornes Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2023

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.

Trade debtors

Trade debtors are amounts due from customers for merchandise sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business.

Trade debtors are recognised initially at the transaction price. All trade debtors are repayable within one year and hence are included at the undiscounted cost of cash expected to be received. A provision for the impairment of trade debtors is established when there is objective evidence that the company will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the debtors.

Trade creditors

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if the company does not have an unconditional right, at the end of the reporting period, to defer settlement of the creditor for at least twelve months after the reporting date. If there is an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least twelve months after the reporting date, they are presented as non-current liabilities.

Trade creditors are recognised initially at the transaction price and all are repayable within one year and hence are included at the undiscounted amount of cash expected to be paid.

Leases

Leases in which substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are retained by the lessor are classified as operating leases. Payments made under operating leases are charged to profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease.

Share capital

Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Equity instruments are measured at the fair value of the cash or other resources received or receivable, net of the direct costs of issuing the equity instruments. If payment is deferred and the time value of money is material, the initial measurement is on a present value basis.

Dividends

Dividend distribution to the company’s shareholders is recognised as a liability in the financial statements in the reporting period in which the dividends are declared.

Defined contribution pension obligation

A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which fixed contributions are paid into a pension fund and the company has no legal or constructive obligation to pay further contributions even if the fund does not hold sufficient assets to pay all employees the benefits relating to employee service in the current and prior periods.

Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised as employee benefit expense when they are due. If contribution payments exceed the contribution due for service, the excess is recognised as a prepayment.

 

Roythornes Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2023

Financial instruments


Classification
Financial instruments are classified and accounted for according to the substance of the contractual arrangement, as financial assets, financial liabilities or equity instruments. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the company after deducting all of its liabilities. Where shares are issued, any component that creates a financial liability of the company is presented as a liability on the balance sheet. The corresponding dividends relating to the liability component are charged as interest expenses in the profit and loss account.

 Recognition and measurement
All financial assets and liabilities are initially measured at transaction price (including transaction costs), except for those financial assets classified as at fair value through profit or loss, which are initially measured at fair value (which is normally the transaction price excluding transaction costs), unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction. If an arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, the financial asset or financial liability is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument.

 Impairment
Assets, other than those measured at fair value, are assessed for indicators of impairment at each balance sheet date. If there is objective evidence of impairment, an impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss as described below.

A non financial asset is impaired where there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after initial recognition, the estimated recoverable value of the asset has been reduced. The recoverable amount of an asset is the higher of its fair value less costs to sell and its value in use.

The recoverable amount of goodwill is derived from measurement of the present value of the future cash flows of the cash-generating units ('CGUs') of which the goodwill is a part. Any impairment loss in respect of a CGU is allocated first to the goodwill attached to that CGU, and then to other assets within that CGU on a pro-rata basis.

Where indicators exist for a decrease in impairment loss, the prior impairment loss is tested to determine reversal. An impairment loss is reversed on an individual impaired asset to the extent that the revised recoverable value does not lead to a revised carrying amount higher than the carrying value had no impairment been recognised. Where a reversal of impairment occurs in respect of a CGU, the reversal is applied first to the assets (other than goodwill) of the CGU on a pro-rata basis and then to any goodwill allocated to that CGU.

For financial assets carried at amortised cost, the amount of an impairment is the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows, discounted at the financial asset’s original effective interest rate.

For financial assets carried at cost less impairment, the impairment loss is the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the best estimate of the amount that would be received for the asset if it were to be sold at the reporting date.

Where indicators exist for a decrease in impairment loss, and the decrease can be related objectively to an event occurring after the impairment was recognised, the prior impairment loss is tested to determine reversal. An impairment loss is reversed on an individual impaired financial asset to the extent that the revised recoverable value does not lead to a revised carrying amount higher than the carrying value had no impairment been recognised.

 

3

Turnover

The whole of the turnover is attributable to the provision of legal services which arose in the United Kingdom.

 

Roythornes Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2023

 

4

Operating profit

Arrived at after charging/(crediting)

2023
£

2022
£

Depreciation expense

216,872

179,308

Amortisation expense

525,371

442,000

Operating lease expense - property

523,626

542,808

Operating lease expense - plant and machinery

124,445

129,867

 

5

Staff costs

The aggregate payroll costs (including directors' remuneration) were as follows:

2023
£

2022
£

Wages and salaries

10,312,144

8,176,317

Social security costs

1,009,185

871,256

Pension costs, defined contribution scheme

882,610

646,897

Other employee expense

132,406

107,720

12,336,345

9,802,190

The average number of persons employed by the company (including directors) during the year, analysed by category was as follows:

2023
 No.

2022
 No.

Directors

5

6

Fee earners

149

129

Support staff

42

50

Secretarial

54

33

250

218

 

6

Directors' remuneration

The directors' remuneration for the year was as follows:

2023
£

2022
£

Remuneration

336,774

159,568

Contributions paid to money purchase schemes

15,245

14,323

352,019

173,891

During the year the number of directors whom were accruing retirement benefits under defined contribution schemes was as follows:

2023
No.

2022
No.

Accruing benefits under defined contribution schemes

5

6

In respect of the highest paid director:

2023
£

2022
£

Remuneration

95,495

59,078

Company pension contributions to defined contribution schemes

-

3,848

For key management personnel detail see note 21.

 

Roythornes Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2023

 

7

Auditors' remuneration

2023
£

2022
£

Audit of the financial statements

24,075

22,500

Other fees to auditors

Audit-related assurance services

10,435

9,750

All other non-audit services

11,925

8,425

22,360

18,175


 

 

8

Taxation

Tax charged/(credited) in the profit and loss account

2023
£

2022
£

Current taxation

UK corporation tax

1,187,019

1,036,533

UK corporation tax adjustment to prior periods

-

(22,273)

1,187,019

1,014,260

The tax on profit before tax for the year is the same as the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK (2022 - the same as the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK) of 20.5% (2022 - 19%).

The differences are reconciled below:

2023
£

2022
£

Profit before tax

5,156,416

5,382,053

Corporation tax at standard rate

1,057,065

1,022,590

Effect of expense not deductible in determining taxable profit (tax loss)

19,536

9,199

Decrease in UK and foreign current tax from adjustment for prior periods

-

(22,273)

Tax increase from effect of capital allowances and depreciation

110,656

30,170

Other tax effects for reconciliation between accounting profit and tax expense (income)

(238)

(25,426)

Total tax charge

1,187,019

1,014,260

 

Roythornes Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2023

 

9

Intangible assets

Goodwill
 £

Cost

At 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023

4,401,279

Amortisation

At 1 July 2022

3,875,908

Amortisation charge

525,371

At 30 June 2023

4,401,279

Carrying amount

At 30 June 2023

-

At 30 June 2022

525,371

 

10

Tangible assets

Fixtures and fittings
 £

Office equipment
 £

Leasehold improvements
 £

Total
£

Cost

At 1 July 2022

823,718

628,981

583,483

2,036,182

Additions

62,486

112,932

177,266

352,684

Disposals

(16,505)

(72,140)

(157,970)

(246,615)

Transfers

(554,894)

(106,539)

661,433

-

At 30 June 2023

314,805

563,234

1,264,212

2,142,251

Depreciation

At 1 July 2022

435,915

423,691

134,294

993,900

Charge for the year

34,171

87,310

95,391

216,872

Eliminated on disposal

(15,011)

(61,689)

(88,907)

(165,607)

Transfers

(267,846)

(107,353)

375,199

-

At 30 June 2023

187,229

341,959

515,977

1,045,165

Carrying amount

At 30 June 2023

127,576

221,275

748,235

1,097,086

At 30 June 2022

387,803

205,290

449,189

1,042,282

 

11

Investments

2023
£

2022
£

Investments in subsidiaries

250,000

250,000

Subsidiaries

£

Cost

At 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023

250,000

Carrying amount

At 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023

250,000

 

Roythornes Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2023

Details of undertakings

Details of the investments (including principal place of business of unincorporated entities) in which the company holds 20% or more of the nominal value of any class of share capital are as follows:

Undertaking

Registered office

Holding

Proportion of voting rights and shares held

     

2023

2022

Subsidiary undertakings

Roythornes Trustees Limited

Enterprise Way
Pinchbeck
Spalding
Lincolnshire
PE11 3YR

Ordinary

100%

100%

Roythornes Law Limited

As shown above

Ordinary

100%

100%

Both of the above entities are dormant.

 

12

Debtors

2023
 £

2022
 £

Trade debtors

4,429,032

3,718,547

Other debtors

24,958

163,383

Prepayments

886,959

807,039

Amounts recoverable on contracts

5,578,969

5,165,732

10,919,918

9,854,701

 

13

Cash and cash equivalents

2023
£

2022
£

Cash at bank

1,008,154

2,036,827

 

14

Creditors

Note

2023
 £

2022
 £

Due within one year

 

Amounts due to shareholders

 

987,838

1,764,978

Trade creditors

 

516,561

583,521

Amounts due to related parties

21

250,000

250,000

Corporation tax liability

8

420,365

402,346

Social security and other taxes

 

752,741

609,174

Other creditors

 

121,068

106,043

Accrued expenses

 

1,025,129

766,577

Outstanding defined contribution pension costs

 

86,846

55,265

 

4,160,548

4,537,904

 

Roythornes Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2023

 

15

Provisions

Client claims
£

At 1 July 2022

78,000

Additional provisions

30,000

Provisions used

(43,000)

At 30 June 2023

65,000

 

16

Pension and other schemes

Defined contribution pension scheme

The company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The pension cost charge for the year represents contributions payable by the company to the scheme and amounted to £882,610 (2022 - £646,897).

Contributions totalling £86,846 (2022 - £55,265) were payable to the scheme at the end of the year and are included in creditors.

 

17

Share capital

Allotted, called up and fully paid shares

 

2023

2022

 

No.

£

No.

£

Ordinary A shares of £1 each

648,000

648,000

648,000

648,000

         

 

18

Obligations under leases and hire purchase contracts

Operating leases

The total of future minimum lease payments is as follows:

2023
£

2022
£

Not later than one year

588,301

598,467

Later than one year and not later than five years

1,410,750

1,824,773

Later than five years

465,670

465,670

2,464,721

2,888,910

 

19

Commitments

Capital commitments

As at 30 June 2023 the company had contracted for the installation of electric vehicle charging points, solar panels, a generator and air conditioning systems.
The total amount contracted for but not provided in the financial statements was £233,520 (2022 - £Nil).

 

20

Financial guarantees

The company has given guarantees to secure specific bank borrowings of some shareholders. At 30 June 2023, the bank borrowings that are subject to these guarantees amounted to £1,405,722 (2022 - £1,460,958). Counter indemnities are in place for these guarantees.

 

Roythornes Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2023

 

21

Related party transactions

Included within amounts due to shareholders are amounts owed to directors and key management personnel of the company of £466,800 (2022 - £841,456).

As at 30 June 2023, the company guaranteed specific bank borrowings of £117,521 (2022 - £408,074) for directors of the company. Counter indemnities are in place for these guarantees.

Remuneration of key management personnel, including directors, during the year totalled £760,196 (2022 - £573,021).

Dividends paid to the directors during the year amounted to £1,754,689 (2022 - £1,248,018).

 

22

Ultimate controlling party

In the opinion of the directors there is no one controlling party.