THE CIVIL LIBERTIES TRUST
Latest income
£2.7m
Latest spending
£2.7m
Registered
1993
Accounts read
FY2024
Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts
The accounts state that total income increased significantly to £2,730,418, driven by a major donation and higher legacy income, resulting in a positive net movement in funds of £67,917. The charity holds unrestricted free reserves of £617,088, which are in excess of the stated policy target range of £110,000 to £460,000. The trustees and auditors confirm that sufficient funding exists to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis.
What the accounts disclose
Reserves policy: £110,000 to £460,000 (held: £617k)
“The overall reserves target range for 2025 is £110,000 to £460,000 and the CLT’s reserves at December 2024 were in excess of this target range by £157,088.” — page 11
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: The Charity holds property and faces risks in relation to repairs, property management and compliance. Risks in this area are mitigated by the use of a managing agent and further specialist support and legal advice.
“The Charity holds property and faces risks in relation to repairs, property management and compliance. Risks in this area are mitigated by the use of a managing agent and further specialist support and legal advice. Plans to further mitigate risk in this areas in 2025 include the review and improvement of property support, developing plans for the lease renewal, and a detailed cost benefit approach to repair costs.” — page 8
“The Charity is a joint data controller with Liberty for personal data held in relation to the Charity’s activities and faces data compliance and associated reputational risk from any potential data breaches. This risk is mitigated by clear data sharing agreements between the two entities. Plans to further reduce risk in 2025 include a full refresh of data privacy procedures and the development of a cross organisational sub-committee to oversee Data Privacy matters.” — page 8
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: The Charity is a joint data controller with Liberty for personal data held in relation to the Charity’s activities and faces data compliance and associated reputational risk from any potential data breaches. This risk is mitigated by clear data sharing agreements between the two entities. Plans to further reduce risk in 2025 include a full refresh of data privacy procedures and the development of a cross organisational sub-committee to oversee Data Privacy matters.
“The Charity holds property and faces risks in relation to repairs, property management and compliance. Risks in this area are mitigated by the use of a managing agent and further specialist support and legal advice. Plans to further mitigate risk in this areas in 2025 include the review and improvement of property support, developing plans for the lease renewal, and a detailed cost benefit approach to repair costs.” — page 8
“The Charity is a joint data controller with Liberty for personal data held in relation to the Charity’s activities and faces data compliance and associated reputational risk from any potential data breaches. This risk is mitigated by clear data sharing agreements between the two entities. Plans to further reduce risk in 2025 include a full refresh of data privacy procedures and the development of a cross organisational sub-committee to oversee Data Privacy matters.” — page 8
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: The Charity owns its property on Strutton Ground in the heart of Westminster. In May 2019, the Charity Commission authorised the Charity to lease this property to Liberty for a term of seven years, at an annual peppercorn rent of £1. The Board consider that the current peppercorn rent allowed to Liberty furthers the CLT’s charitable objects, and that the property is held for charitable activities.
“The Charity holds property and faces risks in relation to repairs, property management and compliance. Risks in this area are mitigated by the use of a managing agent and further specialist support and legal advice. Plans to further mitigate risk in this areas in 2025 include the review and improvement of property support, developing plans for the lease renewal, and a detailed cost benefit approach to repair costs.” — page 8
“The Charity is a joint data controller with Liberty for personal data held in relation to the Charity’s activities and faces data compliance and associated reputational risk from any potential data breaches. This risk is mitigated by clear data sharing agreements between the two entities. Plans to further reduce risk in 2025 include a full refresh of data privacy procedures and the development of a cross organisational sub-committee to oversee Data Privacy matters.” — page 8
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: The Charity directs its affairs through meetings of the Trustees, who are also Directors for company law purposes, who meet three times a year, and by correspondence between meetings. The Trust's income and expenditure is managed on a day-to-day basis by Liberty staff. Staff costs are not charged to the CLT by Liberty and are represented as donated services.
“The Charity holds property and faces risks in relation to repairs, property management and compliance. Risks in this area are mitigated by the use of a managing agent and further specialist support and legal advice. Plans to further mitigate risk in this areas in 2025 include the review and improvement of property support, developing plans for the lease renewal, and a detailed cost benefit approach to repair costs.” — page 8
“The Charity is a joint data controller with Liberty for personal data held in relation to the Charity’s activities and faces data compliance and associated reputational risk from any potential data breaches. This risk is mitigated by clear data sharing agreements between the two entities. Plans to further reduce risk in 2025 include a full refresh of data privacy procedures and the development of a cross organisational sub-committee to oversee Data Privacy matters.” — page 8
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: The aggregate amount of donations made by trustees and people connected with them where no conditions are attached is £4,901 (2023: NIL).
“The Charity holds property and faces risks in relation to repairs, property management and compliance. Risks in this area are mitigated by the use of a managing agent and further specialist support and legal advice. Plans to further mitigate risk in this areas in 2025 include the review and improvement of property support, developing plans for the lease renewal, and a detailed cost benefit approach to repair costs.” — page 8
“The Charity is a joint data controller with Liberty for personal data held in relation to the Charity’s activities and faces data compliance and associated reputational risk from any potential data breaches. This risk is mitigated by clear data sharing agreements between the two entities. Plans to further reduce risk in 2025 include a full refresh of data privacy procedures and the development of a cross organisational sub-committee to oversee Data Privacy matters.” — page 8
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
What the charity says about itself (2024)
Liberty's advice team assisted 567 people directly with information about their rights and the law, and the online advice hub received 414,000 views.
“Supporting Liberty’s advice and information team who assisted 567 people directly with information about their rights and the law, and the publication of a wealth of detailed information on the online advice hub, with 414,000 views.”
Liberty delivered 32 human rights trainings and workshops, with a total of 458 attendees.
“Supporting awareness raising through the provision of 32 human rights trainings and workshops, with a total of 458 attendees.”
The Charity approved a two-year grant totalling £120,000 to Liberty in 2024 and 2025 to support the growth of major donation income.
“In order to achieve CLT’s objectives to maximise funding directed to Liberty, the Trustees approved a two-year grant totalling £120,000 to Liberty in 2024 and 2025 to support the growth of major donation income.”
Total income for the year was £2,730,418, a significant increase of £911,179 (50%) between the two financial years.
“Total income for the year was £2,730,418 (2023 - £1,819,239), a significant increase of £911,179 (50%) between the two financial years.”
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2024)
Total income
£2.7m
Total spending
£2.7m
Cost of raising funds
£129k
Reserves (reported)
£617k
Employees
0
Trustees
- Alastair James Liveseychair
- Aidan Joseph Geary
- Baroness Jane Campbell
- Emma Higham
- Ian Paul McDougall
- Judit Emese Seymour
- LETIITIA CORINNA ANDREWARTHA
- Nazmin Choudhury
- Nicholas Guy Turner
- Thomas Douglas Holland
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2024 | £2.7m | £2.7m |
| 31/12/2023 | £1.8m | £1.9m |
| 31/12/2022 | £2.4m | £2.2m |
| 31/12/2021 | £2.4m | £1.8m |
| 31/12/2020 | £1.4m | £1.7m |
Common questions
Is THE CIVIL LIBERTIES TRUST financially healthy?
The accounts state that total income increased significantly to £2,730,418, driven by a major donation and higher legacy income, resulting in a positive net movement in funds of £67,917. The charity holds unrestricted free reserves of £617,088, which are in excess of the stated policy target range of £110,000 to £460,000. The trustees and auditors confirm that sufficient funding exists to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis. Its FY2024 accounts were audited by MHA.
Who funds THE CIVIL LIBERTIES TRUST?
Funders whose own accounts filings name THE CIVIL LIBERTIES TRUST as a grant recipient include THE JOSEPH ROWNTREE CHARITABLE TRUST, THE A B CHARITABLE TRUST, THE ORR MACKINTOSH FOUNDATION LIMITED, PERSULA FOUNDATION, THE EVAN CORNISH FOUNDATION.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| THE JOSEPH ROWNTREE CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2024 | £90k |
| THE A B CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2024 | £55k |
| THE ORR MACKINTOSH FOUNDATION LIMITED | FY2024 | £25k |
| PERSULA FOUNDATION | FY2025 | £20k |
| THE ORR MACKINTOSH FOUNDATION LIMITED | FY2023 | £20k |
| PERSULA FOUNDATION | FY2024 | £20k |
| THE EVAN CORNISH FOUNDATION | FY2025 | £15k |
| THE ORR MACKINTOSH FOUNDATION LIMITED | FY2025 | £10k |
| THE ALLEN OVERY SHEARMAN STERLING FOUNDATION | FY2024 | £5k |
| THE NORTON ROSE FULBRIGHT CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | FY2024 | £500 |
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Postcode Lottery | 10/02/2025 | £900k | Regular Grant 2025 |
| Postcode Lottery | 01/12/2023 | £900k | Regular Grant 2024 |
| Postcode Lottery | 28/02/2023 | £900k | Regular Grant 2023 |
| Postcode Lottery | 09/02/2022 | £800k | Regular Grant 2022 |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| BEIS MENACHEM CHABAD LUBAVITCH | 1 | £102k |
| DILLHAVEN LIMITED | 1 | £71k |
| YESHIVAS LUBAVITCH MANCHESTER | 1 | £20k |
| J & J CHARITABLE TRUST LIMITED | 1 | £17k |
| KTRUST LIMITED | 1 | £12k |