The company has elected to apply Sections 11 and 12 of FRS 102 in respect of financial instruments.
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised when the company becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the company after deducting all of its liabilities.
The company’s policies for its major classes of financial assets and financial liabilities are set out below.
Financial assets
Basic financial assets, including trade and other debtors, cash and bank balances, intercompany working capital balances, and intercompany financing are recognised at transaction price.
Financial liabilities
Basic financial liabilities, including trade and other creditors and loans from fellow group companies are recognised at transaction price.
Impairment of financial assets
Financial assets measured at cost and amortised cost are assessed at the end of each reporting period for objective evidence of impairment. If objective evidence of impairment is found, an impairment loss is recognised in the profit and loss account.
For financial assets measured at cost less impairment, the impairment loss is measured as the difference between the asset's carrying amount and the best estimate of the amount the company would receive for the asset if it were to be sold at the reporting date.
For financial assets measured at amortised cost, the impairment loss is measured as the difference between the asset's carrying amount and the present value of estimated cash flows discounted at the asset's original effective interest rate. If the financial asset has a variable interest rate, the discount rate for measuring any impairment loss is the current effective interest rate determined under the contract.
If there is a decrease in the impairment loss arising from an event occurring after the impairment was recognised, the impairment is reversed. The reversal is such that the current carrying amount does not exceed what the carrying amount would have been had the impairment not previously been recognised. The impairment reversal is recognised in profit or loss.
Derecognition of financial assets and financial liabilities
Financial assets are derecognised when (a) the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire or are settled, or (b) substantially all the risks and rewards of the ownership of the asset are transferred to another party or (c) despite having retained some significant risks and rewards of ownership, control of the asset has been transferred to another party who has the practical ability to unilaterally sell the asset to an unrelated third party without imposing additional restrictions.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the liability is extinguished, that is when the contractual obligation is discharged, cancelled or expires.
Offsetting of financial assets and financial liabilities
Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the net amount reported in the balance sheet when there is an enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.