Registration number:
Harper James Limited
for the Year Ended 30 September 2025
Harper James Limited
Contents
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Company Information |
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Strategic Report |
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Directors' Report |
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Statement of Directors' Responsibilities |
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Independent Auditor's Report |
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Statement of Income and Retained Earnings |
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Balance Sheet |
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Notes to the Financial Statements |
Harper James Limited
Company Information
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Directors |
T Harper A J Kudryl |
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Registered office |
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Auditors |
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Harper James Limited
Strategic Report for the Year Ended 30 September 2025
The directors present their strategic report for the year ended 30 September 2025.
Principal activity
The principal activity of the company during the year was the provision of commercial legal services throughout the United Kingdom.
Fair review of the business
The Company continued to trade successfully during the year, maintaining growth in its client base and legal service offering despite ongoing economic uncertainty within the wider UK market.
Revenue performance remained resilient during the financial year, supported by continued demand across the Company's core service lines and ongoing investment in operational infrastructure and personnel.
During the year, an investment transaction involving the wider group structure was completed. Costs directly attributable to the transaction and incurred by the Company have been recognised within administrative expenses for the year.
The directors remain focused on sustainable long-term growth, operational efficiency and continued investment in technology, systems and employees.
The Board monitors progress on the company's strategy by reference to two key performance indicators. Performance during the year is as follows:
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2025 |
2024 |
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Turnover |
£15,256,278 |
£12,221,570 |
|
Profit before tax |
£2,092,832 |
£1,468,509 |
Principal risks and uncertainties
The principal risks and uncertainties facing the Company include:
• recruitment and retention of legal and professional staff;
• competitive pressures within the legal services sector;
• economic conditions affecting levels of client activity;
• cyber security and data protection risks; and
• regulatory and compliance obligations.
The directors monitor these risks on an ongoing basis and implement appropriate procedures and controls to mitigate their potential impact on the business.
Future outlook
The directors remain confident in the long-term prospects of the business and will continue to focus on delivering sustainable growth and maintaining high levels of client service in the forthcoming financial year.
Approved and authorised by the
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Harper James Limited
Directors' Report for the Year Ended 30 September 2025
The directors present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2025.
Directors of the company
The directors who held office during the year were as follows:
Dividends
The directors do not recommend payment of a dividend.
Directors' liabilities
The company has made qualifying third party indemnity provisions for the benefits of its directors which were made during the year and remain in force at the date of this report.
Disclosure of information to the auditors
Each director of the company who held office at the date of the approval of this Annual Report, as set out above, confirms that:
• so far as they are aware, there is no relevant audit information (information needed by the company's auditors in connection with preparing their report) of which the company's auditors are unaware, and
• they have taken all the steps 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 auditor is aware of that information.
Reappointment of auditors
The auditors Hawsons Chartered Accountants are deemed to be reappointed under section 487(2) of the Companies Act 2006.
Approved and authorised by the
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Harper James Limited
Statement of Directors' Responsibilities
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for preparing the Annual 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:
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select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently; |
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make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; |
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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.
Harper James Limited
Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Harper James Limited
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Harper James Limited (the 'company') for the year ended 30 September 2025, which comprise the Statement of Income and Retained Earnings, the Balance Sheet, 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 September 2025 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.
Other matter
The financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2025 include corresponding figures for the year ended 30 September 2024. The corresponding figures were not audited, and accordingly, we do not express an opinion or any form of assurance on them. Our opinion on the current year’s financial statements is not modified in respect of this matter.
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 financial statements are 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.
Harper James Limited
Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Harper James Limited (continued)
Other information
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The directors are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. 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.
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 course of 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 this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. 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:
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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 |
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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 or the Directors' Report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
• | adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or |
• | the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or |
• | certain disclosures of 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 4, 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.
Harper James Limited
Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Harper James Limited (continued)
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:
The company is subject to laws and regulations that directly and indirectly affect the financial statements. Based on our understanding of the company and the environment it operates within, we determined that the laws and regulations which were most significant included FRS 102, Companies Act 2006. We considered the extent to which non-compliance with these laws and regulations might have a material effect on the financial statements, including how fraud might occur. We evaluated management’s incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements (including the risk of override of controls), and determined that the principal risks were related to the posting of inappropriate journal entries to improve the company’s result for the period, and management bias in key accounting estimates.
Audit procedures performed by the engagement team included:
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Discussions with management and those responsible for legal compliance procedures within the company to obtain an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework applicable to the company and how the company complies with that framework, including consideration of known or suspected instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations and fraud; |
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Identifying and assessing the design effectiveness of controls that management has in place to prevent and detect fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations; |
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Challenging assumptions and judgements made by management in their significant accounting estimates; |
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Identifying and testing journal entries, in particular any journal entries posted with unusual account combinations or posted by senior management. |
There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above and the more removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we are to become aware of it. Also, the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusion.
A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council's website at www.frc.org.uk/auditors/audit-assurance/auditor-s-responsibilities-for-the-audit-of-the-fi/description-of
-the-auditor’s-responsibilities-for. This description forms part of our auditor's report.
Harper James Limited
Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Harper James Limited (continued)
Use of our 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.
......................................
For and on behalf of
Pegasus House
463a Glossop Road
South Yorkshire
S10 2QD
Harper James Limited
Statement of Income and Retained Earnings for the Year Ended 30 September 2025
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Note |
2025 |
2024 |
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Turnover |
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Cost of sales |
( |
( |
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Gross profit |
|
|
|
|
Administrative expenses |
( |
( |
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Operating profit |
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|
|
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Other interest receivable and similar income |
|
|
|
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Interest payable and similar charges |
( |
( |
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Profit before tax |
|
|
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Taxation |
( |
( |
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Profit for the financial year |
|
|
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Retained earnings brought forward |
1,761,741 |
662,542 |
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Retained earnings carried forward |
3,208,573 |
1,761,741 |
Harper James Limited
(Registration number: 07761967)
Balance Sheet as at 30 September 2025
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Note |
2025 |
2024 |
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Fixed assets |
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Intangible assets |
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Tangible assets |
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Current assets |
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Debtors |
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Cash at bank and in hand |
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||
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Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year |
( |
( |
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Net current assets |
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Total assets less current liabilities |
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Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year |
( |
( |
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Net assets |
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Capital and reserves |
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Called up share capital |
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Retained earnings |
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Shareholders' funds |
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Approved and authorised by the
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Harper James Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2025
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Accounting policies |
Statutory information
Harper James Limited is a private company, limited by shares, domiciled in England and Wales, company number 07761967. The registered office is at Floor 5, Cavendish House, 39-41 Waterloo Street, Birmingham, B2 5PP.
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 UK and Republic of Ireland'.
Basis of preparation
These financial statements have been prepared using the historical cost convention. The presentation currency is United Kingdom pounds sterling, which is the functional currency of the company. The financial statements are those of an individual entity.
Summary of disclosure exemptions
The company has taken advantage of the following reduced disclosure exemptions in preparing these financial statements, as permitted by the FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland".
• the requirements of section 7 Statement of Cash Flows;
These financial statements are consolidated in the financial statements of HJ Holdco Limited.
Going concern
After due consideration of all relevant factors, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the annual report and accounts.
Revenue recognition
Turnover comprises the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for the provision of services in the ordinary course of the company’s activities. Turnover is shown net of sales/value added tax and discounts. Revenue is recognised by reference to amounts invoiced and services provided in accordance with contracts agreed with clients and amounts charged to clients based on legal services provided during the year. Amounts invoiced in advance are deferred based on the terms of the contract and usage of services.
Harper James Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2025 (continued)
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1 |
Accounting policies (continued) |
Tax
The tax expense for the period comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in profit or loss, except that a change attributable to an item of income or expense recognised as other comprehensive income is also recognised directly in other comprehensive income.
The current income 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 in respect of all timing differences between taxable profits and profits reported in the financial statements.
Unrelieved tax losses and other deferred tax assets are recognised when it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits.
Deferred tax is measured using the tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date and that are expected to apply to the reversal of the timing difference.
Tangible assets
Tangible assets are stated in the balance sheet 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 over their estimated useful lives, as follows:
|
Asset class |
Depreciation method and rate |
|
Computer equipment |
25% on cost |
|
Furniture & office equipment |
25% on cost |
|
Motor vehicles |
25% - 33% on cost |
Intangible assets
Intangible fixed assets are stated in the balance sheet at cost, less any subsequent accumulated amortisation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.
Amortisation
Amortisation is provided on intangible assets, other than assets under construction, so as to write off the cost, less any estimated residual value, over their useful life as follows:
|
Asset class |
Amortisation method and rate |
|
Assets under construction |
nil |
|
Other |
4-10 years |
Harper James Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2025 (continued)
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1 |
Accounting policies (continued) |
Leases
Leases are classified as finance leases whenever the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the lessee.
Assets held under finance leases are recognised at the lower of their fair value at inception of the lease and the present value of the minimum lease payments. These assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the useful life of the asset and the lease term. The corresponding liability to the lessor is included in the balance sheet as a finance lease obligation.
Lease payments are apportioned between finance costs in the profit and loss account and reduction of the lease obligation so as to achieve a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability.
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.
Financial instruments
Harper James Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2025 (continued)
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Turnover |
The total turnover of the company for the year has been derived from its principal activity wholly undertaken in the United Kingdom.
All revenue is derived from the provision of legal services.
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Operating profit |
Arrived at after charging/(crediting)
|
2025 |
2024 |
|
|
Depreciation expense |
|
|
|
Amortisation expense |
|
|
|
Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment |
( |
- |
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Audit fee |
18,500 |
- |
Exceptional items
Administration expenses include exceptional legal and professional charges relating to the investment transaction involving the wider group structure amounting to £535,189 (2024 - £nil).
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Interest payable and similar expenses |
|
2025 |
2024 |
|
|
Interest on bank and other borrowings |
|
|
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Other interest payable |
|
- |
|
|
|
Harper James Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2025 (continued)
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Staff costs |
The aggregate payroll costs (including directors' remuneration) were as follows:
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2025 |
2024 |
|
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Wages and salaries |
|
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Social security costs |
|
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Pension costs, defined contribution scheme |
|
|
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The average number of persons employed by the company (including directors) during the year, analysed by category was as follows:
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2025 |
2024 |
|
|
Legal services |
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|
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Sales and marketing |
|
|
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Finance and operations |
|
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Directors and management |
|
|
|
|
|
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Directors' remuneration |
The directors' remuneration for the year was as follows:
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2025 |
2024 |
|
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Remuneration |
|
|
|
Contributions paid to money purchase schemes |
|
|
|
162,854 |
478,803 |
Harper James Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2025 (continued)
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Taxation |
Tax charged/(credited) in the profit and loss account
|
2025 |
2024 |
|
|
Current taxation |
||
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UK corporation tax |
|
|
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Deferred taxation |
||
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Arising from origination and reversal of timing differences |
|
( |
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Tax expense in the income statement |
|
|
The tax on profit before tax for the year is higher than the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK (2024 - the same as the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK) of
The differences are reconciled below:
|
2025 |
2024 |
|
|
Profit before tax |
|
|
|
Corporation tax at standard rate |
|
|
|
Effect of expenses not deductible in determining taxable profit |
|
|
|
Tax increase from other tax effects |
|
|
|
Total tax charge |
|
|
Deferred tax
Deferred tax assets and liabilities
|
2025 |
Asset |
|
Short term timing differences |
19,100 |
|
Accelerated capital allowances |
2,900 |
|
|
|
2024 |
Asset |
|
Short term timing differences |
55,040 |
|
Accelerated capital allowances |
(7,040) |
|
|
Harper James Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2025 (continued)
|
Intangible assets |
|
Assets under construction |
Other intangible assets |
Total |
|
|
Cost or valuation |
|||
|
At 1 October 2024 |
|
|
|
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Additions |
|
- |
|
|
Disposals |
( |
- |
( |
|
At 30 September 2025 |
|
|
|
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Amortisation |
|||
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At 1 October 2024 |
|
|
|
|
Amortisation charge |
- |
|
|
|
Eliminated on disposal |
( |
- |
( |
|
At 30 September 2025 |
- |
|
|
|
Carrying amount |
|||
|
At 30 September 2025 |
|
|
|
|
At 30 September 2024 |
|
|
|
Harper James Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2025 (continued)
|
Tangible assets |
|
Computer equipment |
Furniture and office equipment |
Motor vehicles |
Total |
|
|
Cost or valuation |
||||
|
At 1 October 2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
Additions |
- |
- |
|
|
|
Disposals |
- |
- |
( |
( |
|
At 30 September 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation |
||||
|
At 1 October 2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
Charge for the year |
|
|
|
|
|
Eliminated on disposal |
- |
- |
( |
( |
|
At 30 September 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
Carrying amount |
||||
|
At 30 September 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
At 30 September 2024 |
|
|
|
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Assets held under finance leases and hire purchase contracts
The net carrying amount of tangible assets includes the following amounts in respect of assets held under finance leases and hire purchase contracts:
|
2025 |
2024 |
|
|
Motor vehicles |
109,401 |
108,577 |
|
Debtors |
|
2025 |
2024 |
|
|
Trade debtors |
|
|
|
Amounts owed by related parties |
|
|
|
Other debtors |
|
|
|
Prepayments |
|
|
|
Deferred tax assets |
|
|
|
|
|
Harper James Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2025 (continued)
|
Creditors |
|
2025 |
2024 |
|
|
Due within one year |
||
|
Obligations under finance lease and hire purchase contracts |
|
|
|
Trade creditors |
|
|
|
Corporation tax |
200,048 |
425,810 |
|
Social security and other taxes |
|
|
|
Other creditors |
|
|
|
Accruals and deferred income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Due after one year |
||
|
Obligations under finance lease and hire purchase contracts |
|
|
The hire purchase liabilities are secured by a charge over the relevant asset.
|
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 £
Contributions totalling £
|
Share capital |
Allotted, called up and fully paid shares
|
2025 |
2024 |
|||
|
No. |
£ |
No. |
£ |
|
|
Ordinary shares of of £0.001 each |
1,000 |
1.00 |
1,000 |
1.00 |
Harper James Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2025 (continued)
|
Obligations under leases and hire purchase contracts |
Operating leases
The total of future minimum lease payments is as follows:
|
2025 |
2024 |
|
|
Not later than one year |
|
|
|
Later than one year and not later than five years |
|
|
|
|
|
The amount of non-cancellable operating lease payments recognised as an expense during the year was £
|
Related party transactions |
The company has taken advantage of the exemption in FRS 102 from disclosing transactions with other members of the group.
At the balance sheet date the balance due from T Harper, a director of the company, was £Nil (2024 - £24,303).
The company has a fixed and floating charge over its assets in respect of a loan received from Investec Bank plc by H J Holdco Limited. The company has also provided a fixed and floating charge to Ldc (Managers) Limited.
|
Parent and ultimate parent undertaking |
The ultimate parent is
The parent of the largest group in which these financial statements are consolidated is
These financial statements are included in the consolidated financial statements of HJ Holdco Limited which are available on request from Floor 5, Cavendish House, 39-41 Waterloo Street, Birmingham, B2 5PP.
The company has no ultimate controlling party.