Company registration number 04170245 (England and Wales)
GARDEN COURT CHAMBERS LIMITED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
PAGES FOR FILING WITH REGISTRAR
GARDEN COURT CHAMBERS LIMITED
CONTENTS
Page
Balance sheet
1
Notes to the financial statements
2 - 8
GARDEN COURT CHAMBERS LIMITED
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT
31 DECEMBER 2024
31 December 2024
Company Registration No. 04170245
- 1 -
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
£
£
Fixed assets
Intangible assets
4
204
Tangible assets
5
98,024
73,256
98,024
73,460
Current assets
Debtors
6
457,174
630,337
Cash at bank and in hand
811,962
1,456,881
1,269,136
2,087,218
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
7
(1,149,656)
(2,002,419)
Net current assets
119,480
84,799
Total assets less current liabilities
217,504
158,259
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
8
(71,580)
217,504
86,679
Provisions
9
(556,372)
(556,372)
Net liabilities
(338,868)
(469,693)
Reserves
Income and expenditure account
(338,868)
(469,693)
The directors of the company have elected not to include a copy of the income and expenditure account within the financial statements.true
These financial statements have been prepared and delivered in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.
The financial statements were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 24 September 2025 and are signed on its behalf by:
Mr J Holmes
Director
GARDEN COURT CHAMBERS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 2 -
1
Accounting policies
Company information
Garden Court Chambers Limited is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 9 Carmelite Street, London, EC4Y 0DR.
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. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
1.2
Going concern
These financial statements are prepared on the going concern basis. The directors have a reasonable expectation that the company will continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. However, the directors are aware of certain material uncertainties which may cause doubt on the company's ability to continue as a going concern.
The company's total liabilities exceeded its total assets by £338,868 as of the year ended 31 December 2024, The company relies on the financial support from its members. The members accept that they would continue to provide financial support to the company, as, if required, Chambers would increase their contribution to enable the company to meet its liabilities as and when they fall due, but the directors appreciate the implications should this not happen in practice, which is considered extremely unlikely, and this financial support be withdrawn.
1.3
Income and expenditure
Income represents the total invoice value, excluding VAT, of fees due from barrister members in the year.
Expenditure is included net of VAT.
1.4
Research and development expenditure
Research expenditure is written off against profits in the year in which it is incurred. Identifiable development expenditure is capitalised to the extent that the technical, commercial and financial feasibility can be demonstrated.
1.5
Intangible fixed assets other than goodwill
Intangible assets acquired separately from a business are recognised at cost and are subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses.
Intangible assets acquired on business combinations are recognised separately from goodwill at the acquisition date where it is probable that the expected future economic benefits that are attributable to the asset will flow to the entity and the fair value of the asset can be measured reliably; the intangible asset arises from contractual or other legal rights; and the intangible asset is separable from the entity.
Amortisation 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:
Development Costs
5 Years
GARDEN COURT CHAMBERS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 3 -
1.6
Tangible fixed assets
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:
Furniture, fittings & equipment
20% straight line & 25% reducing balance
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.
1.7
Impairment of fixed assets
At each reporting period end date, the company reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible 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.
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.
1.8
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.
1.9
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.
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.
GARDEN COURT CHAMBERS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 4 -
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.
Impairment of financial assets
Financial assets, other than those held at fair value through surplus and deficit, are assessed for indicators of impairment at each reporting end date.
Financial assets are impaired where there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the financial asset, the estimated future cash flows have been affected. 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 surplus or deficit.
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 surplus or deficit.
Derecognition of financial assets
Financial assets are derecognised only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire or are settled, or when the company transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to another entity, or if some significant risks and rewards of ownership are retained but control of the asset has transferred to another party that is able to sell the asset in its entirety to an unrelated third party.
Classification of 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 the assets of the company after deducting all of its liabilities.
Basic financial liabilities
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors, bank loans, loans from fellow group companies and preference shares that are classified as debt, are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Derecognition of financial liabilities
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the company’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
1.10
Taxation
The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.
GARDEN COURT CHAMBERS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 5 -
Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all timing differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the timing difference arises from goodwill or from the initial recognition of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the tax profit nor the accounting profit.
The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting end date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered. Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is realised. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the profit and loss account, except when it relates to items charged or credited directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when the company has a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities and the deferred tax assets and liabilities relate to taxes levied by the same tax authority.
1.11
Provisions
Provisions are recognised when the company has a legal or constructive present obligation as a result of a past event, it is probable that the company will be required to settle that obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.
The amount recognised as a provision is the best estimate of the consideration required to settle the present obligation at the reporting end date, taking into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the amount expected to be required to settle the obligation is recognised at present value.
1.12
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.
1.13
Retirement benefits
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
1.14
Leases
Rentals payable under operating leases, including any lease incentives received, are charged to profit or loss on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant lease except where another more systematic basis is more representative of the time pattern in which economic benefits from the leases asset are consumed.
2
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 amount 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 where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
GARDEN COURT CHAMBERS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 6 -
3
Employees
The average monthly number of persons (including directors) employed by the company during the year was:
2024
2023
Number
Number
Total
61
61
4
Intangible fixed assets
Other
£
Cost
At 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024
118,805
Amortisation and impairment
At 1 January 2024
118,601
Amortisation charged for the year
204
At 31 December 2024
118,805
Carrying amount
At 31 December 2024
At 31 December 2023
204
5
Tangible fixed assets
Furniture, fittings & equipment
Fixtures, fittings & equipment
Total
£
£
£
Cost
At 1 January 2024
1,397,907
566
1,398,473
Additions
16,387
36,539
52,926
At 31 December 2024
1,414,294
37,105
1,451,399
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 January 2024
1,325,217
1,325,217
Depreciation charged in the year
25,376
2,782
28,158
At 31 December 2024
1,350,593
2,782
1,353,375
Carrying amount
At 31 December 2024
63,701
34,323
98,024
At 31 December 2023
72,690
566
73,256
GARDEN COURT CHAMBERS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 7 -
6
Debtors
2024
2023
Amounts falling due within one year:
£
£
Service charges due
69,714
83,594
Other debtors
387,460
546,743
457,174
630,337
7
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2024
2023
£
£
Bank loans
121,342
Trade creditors
406,858
438,339
Corporation tax
81,684
50,310
Other taxation and social security
242,544
259,435
Other creditors
418,570
1,132,993
1,149,656
2,002,419
8
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
2024
2023
£
£
Bank loans and overdrafts
71,580
9
Provisions
2024
2023
£
£
Deferred tax liabilities
16,372
16,372
Other provisions
540,000
540,000
556,372
556,372
Other provisions represent the amount in respect of dilapidations anticipated to be required on the expected end of the property lease agreement.
GARDEN COURT CHAMBERS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 8 -
10
Audit report information
As the income statement has been omitted from the filing copy of the financial statements, the following information in relation to the audit report on the statutory financial statements is provided in accordance with s444(5B) of the Companies Act 2006.
The auditor's report is unqualified.
Senior Statutory Auditor:
Robert Perez BA FCA
Statutory Auditor:
Xeinadin Audit Limited
Date of audit report:
24 October 2025
11
Operating lease commitments
Lessee
At the reporting end date the company had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, as follows:
2024
2023
£
£
Land and buildings
530,000
1,328,383
12
Events after the reporting date
After year end, Garden Court Chambers Limited has entered into a new lease agreement for lease of Carmelite House from 28 February 2025 to 27 February 2040.