COMMONS LAW COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANY

Company limited by guarantee

Company Registration Number:
10383728 (England and Wales)

Unaudited statutory accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025

Period of accounts

Start date: 1 April 2024

End date: 31 March 2025

COMMONS LAW COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANY

Contents of the Financial Statements

for the Period Ended 31 March 2025

Balance sheet
Additional notes
Balance sheet notes
Community Interest Report

COMMONS LAW COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANY

Balance sheet

As at 31 March 2025

Notes 2025 2024


£

£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets: 3 12,722 17,128
Total fixed assets: 12,722 17,128
Current assets
Stocks: 4 82,105 120,585
Debtors: 5 84,430 120,799
Cash at bank and in hand: 41,608 22,230
Total current assets: 208,143 263,614
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year: 6 ( 63,849 ) ( 114,319 )
Net current assets (liabilities): 144,294 149,295
Total assets less current liabilities: 157,016 166,423
Provision for liabilities: ( 2,417 ) ( 3,254 )
Total net assets (liabilities): 154,599 163,169
Members' funds
Profit and loss account: 154,599 163,169
Total members' funds: 154,599 163,169

The notes form part of these financial statements

COMMONS LAW COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANY

Balance sheet statements

For the year ending 31 March 2025 the company was entitled to exemption under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

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

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

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

The directors have chosen not to file a copy of the company's profit and loss account.

This report was approved by the board of directors on 5 December 2025
and signed on behalf of the board by:

Name: Rhona Friedman
Status: Director

The notes form part of these financial statements

COMMONS LAW COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANY

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the Period Ended 31 March 2025

  • 1. Accounting policies

    Basis of measurement and preparation

    These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions of Section 1A (Small Entities) of Financial Reporting Standard 102

    Tangible fixed assets depreciation policy

    Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses. Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases: Leasehold improvements - 5 years straight line Plant and equipment - 25% reducing balance and 20% straight line The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is credited or charged to surplus or deficit.

    Other accounting policies

    Accounting policies Company information Commons Law Community Interest Company is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 2 Langley Lane, London, SW8 1GB. 1.1 Accounting convention These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 as applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime. The disclosure requirements of section 1A of FRS 102 have been applied other than where additional disclosure is required to show a true and fair view. The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, [modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties and to include investment properties and certain financial instruments at fair value]. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below. 1.2 Income and expenditure Income and expenses are included in the financial statements as they become receivable or due. 1.4 Impairment of fixed assets At each reporting period end date, the company reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the company estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. Accounting policies (Continued) Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset for which the estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted. If the recoverable amount of an asset (or cash-generating unit) is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is recognised immediately in surplus or deficit, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation decrease. Recognised impairment losses are reversed if, and only if, the reasons for the impairment loss have ceased to apply. Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset (or cash-generating unit) in prior years. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognised immediately in surplus or deficit, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the reversal of the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation increase. 1.5 Stocks Work in progress is valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value. At each reporting date, an assessment is made for impairment. Any excess of the carrying amount of stocks over its estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell is recognised as an impairment loss in profit or loss. Reversals of impairment losses are also recognised in profit or loss. 1.6 Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents are basic financial assets and include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities. 1.7 Financial instruments The company has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments. Financial instruments are recognised in the company's balance sheet when the company becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Basic financial assets Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised. Accounting policies (Continued) Classification of financial liabilities Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. Basic financial liabilities Basic financial liabilities, including creditors, are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction. Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. 1.8 Taxation The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the profit and loss account because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The company’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting end date. 1.9 Employee benefits The costs of short-term employee benefits are recognised as a liability and an expense, unless those costs are required to be recognised as part of the cost of stock or fixed assets. The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received. Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the company is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits. 1.10 Retirement benefits Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due. 1.11 Government grants Government grants are recognised at the fair value of the asset received or receivable when there is reasonable assurance that the grant conditions will be met and the grants will be received. A grant that specifies performance conditions is recognised in income when the performance conditions are met. Where a grant does not specify performance conditions it is recognised in income when the proceeds are received or receivable. A grant received before the recognition criteria are satisfied is recognised as a liability.

COMMONS LAW COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANY

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the Period Ended 31 March 2025

  • 2. Employees

    2025 2024
    Average number of employees during the period 9 10

COMMONS LAW COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANY

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the Period Ended 31 March 2025

3. Tangible assets

Land & buildings Plant & machinery Fixtures & fittings Office equipment Motor vehicles Total
Cost £ £ £ £ £ £
At 1 April 2024 12,365 18,914 31,279
Additions 342 342
Disposals
Revaluations
Transfers
At 31 March 2025 12,365 19,256 31,621
Depreciation
At 1 April 2024 2,473 11,678 14,151
Charge for year 2,473 2,275 4,748
On disposals
Other adjustments
At 31 March 2025 4,946 13,953 18,899
Net book value
At 31 March 2025 7,419 5,303 12,722
At 31 March 2024 9,892 7,236 17,128

COMMONS LAW COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANY

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the Period Ended 31 March 2025

4. Stocks

2025 2024
£ £
Stocks 82,105 120,585
Total 82,105 120,585

COMMONS LAW COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANY

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the Period Ended 31 March 2025

5. Debtors

2025 2024
£ £
Trade debtors 73,282 112,358
Other debtors 11,148 8,441
Total 84,430 120,799

COMMONS LAW COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANY

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the Period Ended 31 March 2025

6. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year note

2025 2024
£ £
Trade creditors 7,929 10,356
Taxation and social security 30,246 53,945
Other creditors 25,674 50,018
Total 63,849 114,319

COMMUNITY INTEREST ANNUAL REPORT

COMMONS LAW COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANY

Company Number: 10383728 (England and Wales)

Year Ending: 31 March 2025

Company activities and impact

IMPACT REPORT 2024-25 Up to 50 people have been supported by the Crisis Navigation service since the beginning of the reported period; all whom are people eligible for legal aid. We continue to develop the service provision in line with feedback from clients and by using our experience of, and observations from, delivering the service. In practice, this has meant delivering substantive case work ourselves wherever possible, drawing on the Crisis Navigator’s experience, particularly with some housing matters and issues around access to statutory mental health services and local authority care provision. We continue to signpost and refer out to specialist organisations where specific expertise is needed, for example with debt advice organisations or to services like the Outside Project at the LGBTQIA+ Centre, where clients have been able to access expert housing support from within communities that they are engaged in in other areas of their life. We’ve made 60 referrals to other organisations for the people supported. In these instances, the Crisis Navigator will often support clients at the initial appointment with the new organisation, at the clients’ request. Our experience of delivering the service throughout the last three years has seen other community-based and some statutory services becoming increasingly difficult to access, usually because of extremely long waiting lists and very high demand. This has informed the service developing to provide more direct case work, as described above. This development is not only born of difficulty though, with clients often feeding back that they appreciate the trusting relationships they are building over their time working with us. Building trusting, non-judgemental supportive relationships with clients has been central to the ethos of the holistic defence service since its inception, so it has been important to continue nurturing this aspect of service delivery. This has seen the average amount of time spent working with each client steadily increase over the last three years of service delivery. Alongside direct one-to-one client support, we have also been establishing links with other organisations. In December we delivered training to South London Refugee Association’s youth groups, attended by 25 young people and 10 volunteers and translators. We covered questions raised relating to criminal legal issues as well as partnering with an immigration solicitor to cover any crossover issues. We have delivered similar sessions with Revoke, an organisation supporting young asylum seekers. We have also shared training and advice materials with a local gym project engaged with young people at risk of various types of social exclusion as well as local charities delivering employment support and homelessness services. Some successes in this period have been supporting clients to establish greater levels of housing security; supporting clients to access their full entitlement of welfare benefits; ensuring housing security and reengagement with support services upon leaving prison and seeing people connecting with substantive, longer-term mental health support. Case study: H had been a lifelong resident of the borough, with his family and then as a private renter, up until 2021. In 2021, H was injured following a violent incident at his workplace, resulting from a mistaken identity. Unsurprisingly, the incident dramatically uprooted H’s life – disrupting the freelance career he’d been building as well as leaving him with the symptoms of complex PTSD. H would spend the next two years finding ways to cope with those symptoms without any formal support. The toll of this period also left him unable to work in the same way and led to him becoming homeless. H was moving between friends’ sofas and family members’ occasional floor space or spare rooms. H attempted to join the local authority’s housing register several times during this difficult period, as well as finding intermittent but inconsistent support for the symptoms of his PTSD. When we met H, he was desperate to find some stability and, in his words, to pick up from the positive point his life had been at before the incident in 2021. Working together with the Crisis Navigation service, H ensured his place on the housing register and began the process of asking to be re-banded with increased priority, given his diagnosis of PTSD. Alongside this, we approached the local authority to advocate for H as a homeless person in the present moment, too. H was able to confidently advocate for himself, with some support from the service, communicating his needs to the homelessness team. This ultimately resulted in them fulfilling their statutory duties to support him into the private rental market if they did not feel they could offer him temporary accommodation to relieve his homelessness. H reported feeling that he’d been able to maintain a level of autonomy and control that was important to his sense of self. We have also begun working on finding H some tailored mental health support. It is important to H that he sees a professional who shares or deeply understands certain experiences, having felt in the past that professionals had judged him and misrepresented his experiences. After we supported H to send out initial enquiries, he felt confident to take on this task himself and is now going through the process of finding the right therapeutic support. All of this has also meant that H has been able to reinvigorate his career – to start working again with new clients, and to begin to reengage with the work he is so passionate about.

Consultation with stakeholders

No consultation with stakeholders

Directors' remuneration

Directors' remuneration totalled £98,745. There were no other transactions or arrangements in connection with the remuneration of directors, or compensation for director’s loss of office, which require to be disclosed.

Transfer of assets

No transfer of assets other than for full consideration

This report was approved by the board of directors on
5 December 2025

And signed on behalf of the board by:
Name: Rhona Friedman
Status: Director