Residual Client Balance donations are always 100% risk-free
Martin House offers full indemnity for every donation, no matter how big or small. This means that should you ever need to claim the money back from us in the future because the client has claimed it, we can pay it.
Residual client funds can help ensure we can continue to provide crucial lifeline services and support to our families.
Martin House has given Rachel and Richard a ‘safety blanket’ for their son Jack. Diagnosed as a baby with conditions that means his brain hasn’t grown as fast as it should, and he can’t swallow properly – as well as severe epileptic seizures which starve his brain of oxygen – Jack spent a great deal of his young life in and out of hospital.
But since being referred to Martin House, Rachel and Richard know they have support when they need it. Rachel says:
“I used to feel alone and scared. Now we have Martin House, I know I can just ring and speak to a doctor, even if it’s the weekend or at night – it’s our safety blanket.
“Knowing that someone is on the end of the phone if you ever need them is a big weight off our shoulders.”
How does it work?
Balances of £500 and under
Text: You do not need SRA approval to transfer amounts of £500 or less in relation to any one client or trust matter, provided you have complied with the prescribed circumstances under Rule 5.1(c) of the Solicitors’ Accounts Rules, which states:
- the balance is paid to a charity of your choice
- you have taken reasonable steps to return the money to the rightful owner.
- you record the steps taken to return the money to the rightful owner and retain those records, together with all relevant documentation for at least six years
- you keep appropriate accounting records, including:
- a central register which records the name of the rightful owner on whose behalf the money was held, the amount, name of the recipient charity (and their charity number) and the date of the payment; and
- all receipts from the charity and confirmation of any indemnity provided against any legitimate claim subsequently made for the sum they have received.
- you do not deduct from the residual balance any costs incurred in attempting to trace or communicate with the rightful owner.
Use our template letter to notify your clients of your intention to donate the unclaimed funds.
Balances over £500
Text: For residual balances over £500, authorisation is required from the SRA before removing the funds from the client’s account.
Please complete the application form on the SRA website (SRA | Withdrawal of residual client balances | Solicitors Regulation Authority)
For more information contact: professional.ethics@sra.org.uk
Professional Ethics,
SRA: The Cube,
199 Wharfside Street,
Birmingham
B1 1RN
DX: 720293 Birmingham 47
Tel: 0370 606 2577
Use our template letter to notify your clients of your intention to donate the unclaimed funds.
What your residual funds could buy
A £10,000 donation can help us to provide end of life care for a baby, child or young person at Martin House, allowing their family to spend precious time with their loved one, providing symptom control at end of life and care after death in one of our cooled bedrooms.
A £7,500 donation enables us to take a group of young people on an outdoor adventure trip to Kielder, where they can try new experiences like canoeing and abseiling at a centre designed for people with disabilities
A £5,000 donation could fund one of our Clinical Nurse Specialists for one month, enabling them to work with families in the community and hospitals, assessing and treating their symptoms, and enabling their child to receive care in the setting of their choice.
A £1,000 donation could help to pay for counselling and emotional support from one of our specialist team for families when they are feeling overwhelmed or at a time of heightened concern about their child.
How to donate Residual Client Balances
BACS transfer: Please email partnerships@martinhouse.org.uk to obtain the bank details for a BACS transfer
Cheque: Please make cheques payable to Martin House at:
Martin House Children's Hospice
Grove Road
Boston Spa
Wetherby
Leeds
LS23 6TX
For more information about donating your residual client balances, please email partnerships@martinhouse.org.uk or call 01937 844569.