FWJ Legal Limited 08582930 false 2023-05-01 2024-04-30 2024-04-30 The principal activity of the company is the provision of legal services. Digita Accounts Production Advanced 6.30.9574.0 true 08582930 2023-05-01 2024-04-30 08582930 2024-04-30 08582930 bus:OrdinaryShareClass1 2024-04-30 08582930 bus:OrdinaryShareClass2 2024-04-30 08582930 bus:OrdinaryShareClass3 2024-04-30 08582930 core:AcceleratedTaxDepreciationDeferredTax 2024-04-30 08582930 core:ProvisionsDeferredTax 2024-04-30 08582930 core:ShareCapital 2024-04-30 08582930 core:CurrentFinancialInstruments 2024-04-30 08582930 core:CurrentFinancialInstruments core:WithinOneYear 2024-04-30 08582930 core:Non-currentFinancialInstruments 2024-04-30 08582930 core:Non-currentFinancialInstruments core:AfterOneYear 2024-04-30 08582930 core:Goodwill 2024-04-30 08582930 core:PatentsTrademarksLicencesConcessionsSimilar 2024-04-30 08582930 core:FurnitureFittingsToolsEquipment 2024-04-30 08582930 core:LandBuildings 2024-04-30 08582930 core:OtherPropertyPlantEquipment 2024-04-30 08582930 bus:SmallEntities 2023-05-01 2024-04-30 08582930 bus:AuditExemptWithAccountantsReport 2023-05-01 2024-04-30 08582930 bus:FullAccounts 2023-05-01 2024-04-30 08582930 bus:SmallCompaniesRegimeForAccounts 2023-05-01 2024-04-30 08582930 bus:RegisteredOffice 2023-05-01 2024-04-30 08582930 bus:Director1 2023-05-01 2024-04-30 08582930 bus:Director2 2023-05-01 2024-04-30 08582930 bus:Director4 2023-05-01 2024-04-30 08582930 bus:Director5 2023-05-01 2024-04-30 08582930 bus:OrdinaryShareClass1 2023-05-01 2024-04-30 08582930 bus:OrdinaryShareClass2 2023-05-01 2024-04-30 08582930 bus:OrdinaryShareClass3 2023-05-01 2024-04-30 08582930 bus:PrivateLimitedCompanyLtd 2023-05-01 2024-04-30 08582930 bus:Agent1 2023-05-01 2024-04-30 08582930 core:Goodwill 2023-05-01 2024-04-30 08582930 core:IntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill 2023-05-01 2024-04-30 08582930 core:PatentsTrademarksLicencesConcessionsSimilar 2023-05-01 2024-04-30 08582930 core:FurnitureFittings 2023-05-01 2024-04-30 08582930 core:FurnitureFittingsToolsEquipment 2023-05-01 2024-04-30 08582930 core:LandBuildings 2023-05-01 2024-04-30 08582930 core:OfficeEquipment 2023-05-01 2024-04-30 08582930 core:OtherPropertyPlantEquipment 2023-05-01 2024-04-30 08582930 countries:EnglandWales 2023-05-01 2024-04-30 08582930 2023-04-30 08582930 core:Goodwill 2023-04-30 08582930 core:PatentsTrademarksLicencesConcessionsSimilar 2023-04-30 08582930 core:FurnitureFittingsToolsEquipment 2023-04-30 08582930 core:LandBuildings 2023-04-30 08582930 core:OtherPropertyPlantEquipment 2023-04-30 08582930 2022-05-01 2023-04-30 08582930 2023-04-30 08582930 bus:OrdinaryShareClass1 2023-04-30 08582930 bus:OrdinaryShareClass2 2023-04-30 08582930 bus:OrdinaryShareClass3 2023-04-30 08582930 core:AcceleratedTaxDepreciationDeferredTax 2023-04-30 08582930 core:ProvisionsDeferredTax 2023-04-30 08582930 core:ShareCapital 2023-04-30 08582930 core:CurrentFinancialInstruments 2023-04-30 08582930 core:CurrentFinancialInstruments core:WithinOneYear 2023-04-30 08582930 core:Non-currentFinancialInstruments 2023-04-30 08582930 core:Non-currentFinancialInstruments core:AfterOneYear 2023-04-30 08582930 core:Goodwill 2023-04-30 08582930 core:PatentsTrademarksLicencesConcessionsSimilar 2023-04-30 08582930 core:FurnitureFittingsToolsEquipment 2023-04-30 08582930 core:LandBuildings 2023-04-30 08582930 core:OtherPropertyPlantEquipment 2023-04-30 iso4217:GBP xbrli:pure xbrli:shares

Registration number: 08582930

Prepared for the registrar

FWJ Legal Limited

Annual Report and Unaudited Financial Statements

for the Year Ended 30 April 2024

 

FWJ Legal Limited

Contents

Company Information

1

Balance Sheet

2

Notes to the Unaudited Financial Statements

3 to 9

 

FWJ Legal Limited

Company Information

Directors

A F Wilks

T R Francis

S Downie

N M Singleton

Registered office

6 Coldbath Square
London
EC1R 5HL

Bankers

NatWest plc
13 Market Place
Reading
RG1 2EG

Accountants

Hazlewoods LLP
Windsor House
Bayshill Road
Cheltenham
GL50 3AT

 

FWJ Legal Limited

(Registration number: 08582930)
Balance Sheet as at 30 April 2024

Note

2024
£

2023
£

Fixed assets

 

Intangible assets

4

250

375

Tangible assets

5

90,873

105,186

 

91,123

105,561

Current assets

 

Debtors

6

3,183,180

2,749,150

Cash at bank and in hand

 

14

57

 

3,183,194

2,749,207

Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

7

(1,816,562)

(1,229,692)

Net current assets

 

1,366,632

1,519,515

Total assets less current liabilities

 

1,457,755

1,625,076

Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year

7

(209,920)

(309,668)

Deferred tax assets and liabilities

8

(3,121)

(6,883)

Net assets

 

1,244,714

1,308,525

Capital and reserves

 

Called up share capital

10

10

10

Profit and loss account

1,244,704

1,308,515

Shareholders' funds

 

1,244,714

1,308,525

For the financial year ending 30 April 2024 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Directors' responsibilities:

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476; and

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

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to companies subject to the small companies regime within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.

These financial statements have been delivered in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime and the option not to file the Profit and Loss Account has been taken.

Approved and authorised by the Board on 28 January 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
 


A F Wilks
Director

 

FWJ Legal Limited

Notes to the Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 April 2024

 

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:
6 Coldbath Square
London
EC1R 5HL

 

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 have been prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 102 Section 1A smaller entities - 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006 (as applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime).

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.

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.
 

Key sources of estimation uncertainty

Amounts recoverable on contracts - The process of assessing amounts recoverable on contracts requires various estimates and judgements to be made. Fee earners are required to record time spent on client assignments and this is used as the basis for the amounts recoverable on contracts and work in progress estimates. A year end report of time on all assignments is circulated to fee earners to identify likely recoverable amounts. The carrying amount is £2,380,051 (2023 - £1,844,912).

Disbursements provision - Due to the nature of the business, there are high levels of disbursements at the year end and, therefore, a risk that some of these balances may be irrecoverable. A review is carried out, where disbursements are assessed and provided against when the recoverability of these balances is considered to be uncertain. The carrying amount is £13,537 (2023 - £9,369).

Bad debt provision - Due to the nature of the business, there are high levels of trade debtors at the year end and, therefore, a risk that some of these balances may be irrecoverable. A bad debt review is carried out, where debts are assessed and provided against when the recoverability of these balances is considered to be uncertain. The carrying amount is £373,799 (2023 - £138,751).

 

FWJ Legal Limited

Notes to the Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 April 2024

Revenue recognition

Fee income represents the fair value of services provided during the year on client assignments. Fair value reflects the amounts expected to be recoverable from clients based on time spent, skills provided and expenses incurred, and exclude VAT. Income is recognised as contract activity progresses and the right to consideration is secured, except where the final outcome cannot be assessed with reasonable certainty.

Income in respect of contingent fee assignments is recognised in the period when the contingent event occurs and collectability of the fee is assured.

Unbilled income on individual client assignments is included as amounts recoverable on contracts within debtors.

Tax

The tax expense for the period comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in the profit and loss account, except that a charge attributable to an item of income or expense recognised as other comprehensive income is also recognised directly in other comprehensive income.

The current tax charge is calculated on the basis of tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date in the countries where the company operates and generates taxable income.

Deferred tax is recognised on temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the financial statements and on unused tax losses or tax credits in the company. Deferred income tax is determined using tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date.

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting date and a valuation allowance is set up against deferred tax assets so that the net carrying amount equals the highest amount that is more likely than not to be recovered based on current or future taxable profit.

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

Office equipment

20 - 33.3% straight line basis

Fixtures and fittings

33.3% straight line basis

Leasehold improvements

10% straight line basis

Intangible assets

Goodwill arising on the acquisition of an entity represents the excess of the cost of acquisition over the company’s interest in the net fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities of the entity recognised at the date of acquisition. Goodwill is initially recognised as an asset at cost and is subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill is held in the currency of the acquired entity and revalued to the closing rate at each reporting period date.

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

Over 5 years

Domain name

Over 10 years

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.

 

FWJ Legal Limited

Notes to the Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 April 2024

Trade debtors

Trade debtors are amounts due from customers for 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.

Borrowings

Interest-bearing borrowings are initially recorded at fair value, net of transaction costs. Interest-bearing borrowings are subsequently carried at amortised cost, with the difference between the proceeds, net of transaction costs, and the amount due on redemption being recognised as a charge to the profit and loss account over the period of the relevant borrowing.

Interest expense is recognised on the basis of the effective interest method and is included in interest payable and similar charges.

Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the company has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for at least twelve months after the reporting date.

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.

 

FWJ Legal Limited

Notes to the Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 April 2024

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

Staff numbers

The average number of persons employed by the company (including directors) during the year, was 30 (2023 - 30).

 

FWJ Legal Limited

Notes to the Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 April 2024

 

4

Intangible assets

Goodwill
 £

Domain name
 £

Total
£

Cost

At 1 May 2023 and 30 April 2024

1,400,000

1,250

1,401,250

Amortisation

At 1 May 2023

1,400,000

875

1,400,875

Amortisation charge

-

125

125

At 30 April 2024

1,400,000

1,000

1,401,000

Carrying amount

At 30 April 2024

-

250

250

At 30 April 2023

-

375

375

 

5

Tangible assets

Leasehold improvements
£

Fixtures & fittings
 £

Office equipment
 £

Total
£

Cost

At 1 May 2023

147,445

80,690

126,422

354,557

Additions

-

860

15,290

16,150

At 30 April 2024

147,445

81,550

141,712

370,707

Depreciation

At 1 May 2023

58,722

79,737

110,912

249,371

Charge for the year

14,745

914

14,804

30,463

At 30 April 2024

73,467

80,651

125,716

279,834

Carrying amount

At 30 April 2024

73,978

899

15,996

90,873

At 30 April 2023

88,723

953

15,510

105,186

 

FWJ Legal Limited

Notes to the Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 April 2024

 

6

Debtors

2024
 £

2023
 £

Trade debtors

685,459

772,013

Other debtors

3,685

2

Prepayments

113,985

132,223

Amounts recoverable on long term contracts

2,380,051

1,844,912

 

3,183,180

2,749,150

 

7

Creditors

Note

2024
 £

2023
 £

Due within one year

 

Loans and borrowings

9

670,340

365,877

Trade creditors

 

273,856

125,234

Social security and other taxes

 

208,919

206,491

Outstanding defined contribution pension costs

 

16,074

11,297

Other creditors

 

279,037

245,721

Accrued expenses

 

113,091

133,905

Corporation tax liability

255,245

141,167

 

1,816,562

1,229,692

Note

2024
£

2023
£

Due after one year

 

Loans and borrowings

9

209,920

309,668

 

8

Deferred tax

Deferred tax assets and liabilities

2024

Asset
£

Liability
£

Difference between accumulated depreciation and amortisation and capital allowances

-

492

Short term timing differences

959

-

959

492

2023

Asset
£

Liability
£

Difference between accumulated depreciation and amortisation and capital allowances

-

7,841

Short term timing differences

958

-

958

7,841

 

FWJ Legal Limited

Notes to the Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 April 2024

 

9

Loans and borrowings

2024
£

2023
£

Current loans and borrowings

Bank overdraft

502,296

157,812

Other borrowings

168,044

208,065

670,340

365,877

2024
£

2023
£

Non-current loans and borrowings

Other borrowings

209,920

309,668

 

10

Share capital

Allotted, called up and fully paid shares

 

2024

2023

 

No.

£

No.

£

Ordinary 'A' shares of £0.10 each

40

4.00

40

4.00

Ordinary 'B' shares of £0.10 each

40

4.00

40

4.00

Ordinary 'G' shares of £0.10 each

20

2.00

20

2.00

 

100

10.00

100

10.00

 

11

Financial commitments, guarantees and contingencies

Amounts not provided for in the balance sheet

The total amount of financial commitments not included in the balance sheet is £200,795 (2023 - £200,447).