SELDEN SOCIETY
To encourage the study and advance the knowledge of the history of English law, mainly by researching and publishing the original source-materials of the law, legal institutions and legal profession.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity held unrestricted reserves of £2,492,835 at year-end, which the trustees consider sufficient to meet expenses for a minimum of 12 months. The charity reported a net expenditure of £13,794 for the year, largely offset by significant investment gains of £257,438. The trustees confirmed there are no material uncertainties regarding the charity's ability to continue in operational existence.
What the accounts disclose
“The policy of the Council is to maintain substantial reserves to meet the cost of production, storage and dispatch of volumes, administration costs and new initiatives.” — page 18
“Trustee C MacMillan has accrued £4,000 (2024 - £4,000) for treasurer services during the year. £24,000 was outstanding at the year end (2024 - £20,000), including services for 2020-2025.” — page 26
“Trustee M Lobban has accrued £4,000 (2024 - £4,000) for secretarial services during the year. At 31 December 22024, the amount of £40,000 was owing (2024- £36,000), including services for 2016-2025.” — page 26
“Trustee C MacMillan has accrued £4,000 (2024 - £4,000) for treasurer services during the year. £24,000 was outstanding at the year end (2024 - £20,000), including services for 2020-2025.” — page 26
“Trustee M Lobban has accrued £4,000 (2024 - £4,000) for secretarial services during the year. At 31 December 22024, the amount of £40,000 was owing (2024- £36,000), including services for 2016-2025.” — page 26
Trustees
- PROFESSOR SIR JOHN BAKER QC FBAchair
- DR JOHN MADDICOTT FBA
- DR MIKE MACNAIR
- Dr DAVID CROOK
- Dr ELIZABETH GOLDRING
- Dr IAN WILLIAMS
- Dr NEIL JONES
- Dr SEAN CUNNINGHAM
- Dr SUSANNE BRAND
- His Honour Judge Donald Michael Cryan
- NICHOLAS PETER LE POIDEVIN
- PROF CHARLES DONAHUE JR
- PROF JOHN HUDSON
- PROF RICHARD HELMHOLZ
- PROF WILFRID PREST
- PROFESSOR CATHARINE MACMILLAN
- PROFESSOR DAVID IBBETSON
- PROFESSOR GEORGE GARNETT
- PROFESSOR JANET LOENGARD
- PROFESSOR JOSHUA GETZLER
- PROFESSOR Michael Lobban
- PROFESSOR REBECCA PROBERT
- Philip John Jones
- Professor Alice Jane Taylor
- Professor CHANTAL STEBBINGS
- Professor Christopher Norman Doe
- Professor Gwen Seabourne
- Professor Joshua Tate
- Professor PAUL BRAND FBA
- Professor SARA ELIN ROBERTS
- REVEREND PROFESSOR ANDREW LEWIS
- REVEREND PROFESSOR THOMAS WATKIN
- Sir Marcus Smith
- THE HON MORRIS ARNOLD
- The Rt Hon Lord Ian Burnett of Maldon
- W D AINGER
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2025 | £119k | £133k |
| 31/12/2024 | £117k | £77k |
| 31/12/2023 | £140k | £178k |
| 31/12/2022 | £128k | £148k |
| 31/12/2021 | £104k | £119k |
Common questions
Is SELDEN SOCIETY financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity held unrestricted reserves of £2,492,835 at year-end, which the trustees consider sufficient to meet expenses for a minimum of 12 months. The charity reported a net expenditure of £13,794 for the year, largely offset by significant investment gains of £257,438. The trustees confirmed there are no material uncertainties regarding the charity's ability to continue in operational existence. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE A B CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £570k |
| TRUST FOR LONDON | 1 | £250k |
| THE BARROW CADBURY TRUST | 1 | £60k |
| THE STEWARTS LAW FOUNDATION | 1 | £33k |
| THE NATIONAL MANUSCRIPTS CONSERVATION TRUST | 1 | £18k |
| THE ROSE FOUNDATION | 1 | £5k |
| THE LECHE TRUST | 1 | £5k |
| THE ROYAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE | 1 | £5k |
Charities like this
- THE SOCIETY OF LEGAL SCHOLARS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND IRELAND
- THE LAW SOCIETY CHARITY
- THE LAW SOCIETY EDUCATIONAL TRUST
- SOCIETY FOR FRENCH STUDIES
- SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF LONDON
- ECONOMIC HISTORY SOCIETY
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SELDEN SOCIETY | £119k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| THE SOCIETY OF LEGAL SCHOLARS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND IRELAND | £304k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| THE LAW SOCIETY CHARITY | £111k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE LAW SOCIETY EDUCATIONAL TRUST | £126k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| SOCIETY FOR FRENCH STUDIES | £143k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF LONDON | £2.6m | — | — | below | — | no doubt |