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Registered number: OC356132
MARTIN SHEPHERD SOLICITORS LLP
UNAUDITED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
INFORMATION FOR FILING WITH THE REGISTRAR
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026
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MARTIN SHEPHERD SOLICITORS LLP
REGISTERED NUMBER: OC356132
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 MARCH 2026
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Debtors: amounts falling due within one year
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Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
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Loans and other debts due to members within one year
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Members' capital classified as equity
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Loans and other debts due to members
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MARTIN SHEPHERD SOLICITORS LLP
REGISTERED NUMBER: OC356132
BALANCE SHEET (CONTINUED)
AS AT 31 MARCH 2026
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to entities subject to the small LLPs regime.
The entity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, as applied by The Limited Liability Partnerships (Accounts and Audit) (Application of Companies Act 2006) Regulations 2008.
The members acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006, as applied by The Limited Liability Partnerships (Accounts and Audit) (Application of Companies Act 2006) Regulations 2008, with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.
The financial statements have been delivered in accordance with the provisions applicable to LLPs subject to the small LLPs regime.
The entity has opted not to file the profit and loss account in accordance with the provisions applicable to entities subject to the small LLPs regime.
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the members and were signed on their behalf by:
The notes on pages 3 to 9 form part of these financial statements.
Martin Shepherd Solicitors LLP has no equity and, in accordance with the provisions contained within the Statement of Recommended Practice "Accounting by Limited Liability Partnerships", has not presented a Statement of Changes in Equity.
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MARTIN SHEPHERD SOLICITORS LLP
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026
Martin Shepherd Solicitors LLP is a limited liability partnership incorporated in England and Wales. The registered number is OC356132 and the address of the registered office is Maple House, High Street, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, England, EN6 5BS.
The financial statements are presented in sterling which is the functional currency of the partnership.
In the prior year, the LLP shortened their year end to 31 March 2025 meaning the prior period is for 8 months. This is not directly comparable to the current period which is a year.
2.Accounting policies
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Basis of preparation of financial statements
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The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention unless otherwise specified within these accounting policies and in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 102, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland and the Companies Act 2006 and the requirements of the Statement of Recommended Practice 'Accounting by Limited Liabilities Partnerships'. 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 preparation of financial statements in compliance with FRS 102 requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise judgment in applying the LLP's accounting policies.
The following principal accounting policies have been applied:
Revenue is recognised to the extent that it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the LLP and the revenue can be reliably measured. Revenue is measured as the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, excluding discounts, rebates, value added tax and other sales taxes. The following criteria must also be met before revenue is recognised:
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Operating leases: the LLP as lessee
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Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Interest income is recognised in profit or loss using the effective interest method.
Finance costs are charged to profit or loss over the term of the debt using the effective interest method so that the amount charged is at a constant rate on the carrying amount. Issue costs are initially recognised as a reduction in the proceeds of the associated capital instrument.
All borrowing costs are recognised in profit or loss in the year in which they are incurred.
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MARTIN SHEPHERD SOLICITORS LLP
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026
2.Accounting policies (continued)
Defined contribution pension plan
The LLP operates a defined contribution plan for its employees. A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which the LLP pays fixed contributions into a separate entity. Once the contributions have been paid the LLP has no further payment obligations.
The contributions are recognised as an expense in profit or loss when they fall due. Amounts not paid are shown in accruals as a liability in the Balance Sheet. The assets of the plan are held separately from the LLP in independently administered funds.
Tangible fixed assets under the cost model are stated at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. Historical cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to bringing the asset to the location and condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management.
Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives, .
Depreciation is provided on the following basis:
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Short-term leasehold property
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Straight line over the lease term
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The assets' residual values, useful lives and depreciation methods are reviewed, and adjusted prospectively if appropriate, or if there is an indication of a significant change since the last reporting date.
Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing the proceeds with the carrying amount and are recognised in profit or loss.
Short-term debtors are measured at transaction price, less any impairment.
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Cash and cash equivalents
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Cash is represented by cash in hand and deposits with financial institutions repayable without penalty on notice of not more than 24 hours. Cash equivalents are highly liquid investments that mature in no more than three months from the date of acquisition and that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash with insignificant risk of change in value.
Short-term creditors are measured at the transaction price.
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MARTIN SHEPHERD SOLICITORS LLP
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026
2.Accounting policies (continued)
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Provisions for liabilities
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Provisions are recognised when an event has taken place that gives rise to a legal or constructive obligation, a transfer of economic benefits is probable and a reliable estimate can be made.
Provisions are measured as the best estimate of the amount required to settle the obligation, taking into account the related risks and uncertainties.
Increases in provisions are generally charged as an expense to profit or loss.
The LLP has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 “Basic Financial Instruments” of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the LLP's Balance Sheet when the LLP becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally 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.
Basic financial assets
Basic financial assets, which include trade and other debtors, cash and bank balances, are initially measured at their transaction price (adjusted for transaction costs except in the initial measurement of financial assets that are subsequently measured at fair value through profit and loss) and are subsequently carried at their amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any provision for impairment, 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.
Discounting is omitted where the effect of discounting is immaterial. The LLP's cash and cash equivalents, trade and most other debtors due with the operating cycle fall into this category of financial instruments.
Impairment of financial assets
At the end of each reporting period financial assets measured at amortised cost are assessed for objective evidence of impairment. If an asset is impaired the impairment loss is the difference between the carrying amount and the present value of the estimated cash flows discounted at the asset’s original effective interest rate. The impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss.
Financial assets are impaired when events, subsequent to their initial recognition, indicate the estimated future cash flows derived from the financial asset(s) have been adversely impacted. The impairment loss will be the difference between the current carrying amount and the present value of the future cash flows at the asset(s) original effective interest rate.
If there is a favourable change in relation to the events surrounding the impairment loss then the impairment can be reviewed for possible reversal. The reversal will not cause the current carrying amount to exceed the original carrying amount had the impairment not been recognised. The impairment reversal is recognised in the profit or loss.
Basic financial liabilities
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
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MARTIN SHEPHERD SOLICITORS LLP
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026
2.Accounting policies (continued)
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Financial instruments (continued)
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the assets of the LLP after the deduction of all its liabilities.
Basic financial liabilities, which include trade and other creditors, bank loans and other loans are initially measured at their transaction price (adjusting for transaction costs except in the initial measurement of financial liabilities that are subsequently measured at fair value through profit and loss). When this constitutes a financing transaction, whereby the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest, discounting is omitted where the effect of discounting is immaterial.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at their amortised cost using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods and services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Trade creditors are classified as current liabilities if the payment is due within one year. If not, they represent non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are initially recognised at their transaction price and subsequently are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. Discounting is omitted where the effect of discounting is immaterial.
Derecognition of financial instruments
Derecognition of financial assets
Financial assets are derecognised when their contractual right to future cash flow expire, or are settled, or when the LLP transfers the asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to another party. If significant risks and rewards of ownership are retained after the transfer to another party, then the LLP will continue to recognise the value of the portion of the risks and rewards retained.
Derecognition of financial liabilities
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the LLP's contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
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The average monthly number of employees, including directors, during the year was 28 (2025 - 28).
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MARTIN SHEPHERD SOLICITORS LLP
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026
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Short-term leasehold property
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Charge for the year on owned assets
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MARTIN SHEPHERD SOLICITORS LLP
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026
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Amounts recoverable from clients in respect of unbilled work
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Prepayments and accrued income
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Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
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Other taxation and social security
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Accruals and deferred income
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Charged to profit or loss
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MARTIN SHEPHERD SOLICITORS LLP
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026
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Loans and other debts due to members
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Other amounts due to members
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Loans and other debts due to members rank equally with debts due to ordinary creditors in the event of a winding up.
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The entity operates a defined contributions pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the entity in an independently administered fund. The pension costs charge represents contributions payable by the entity to the fund and amounted to £28,332 (2025 - £11,949). Contributions totalling £5,458 (2025 - £9,326) were payable to the fund at the balance sheet date and are included in creditors.
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Commitments under operating leases
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At 31 March 2026 the LLP had future minimum lease payments due under non-cancellable operating leases for each of the following periods:
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Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years
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11.Other financial commitments
During the year, the LLP granted a debenture which includes fixed and floating charges over the assets and undertaking of the LLP and secures all monies owed to the lender under the banking facilities.
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