Client Balances
Unclaimed client account balances are sums of money which lie dormant in the client account of solicitors’ firms, for example because the rightful owner cannot be traced. Such funds may be donated to charity provided certain safeguards are met.
The It’s Not Just Peanuts campaign aims to mobilise law firms across the country to donate as many of their dormant client balances as they can to the Access to Justice Foundation, in order to support the invaluable work of legal advice agencies. Their work to provide free legal help is particularly vital at a time of Government funding cuts.
The initial focus is balances under £50 - whilst the funds generated may seem relatively small, collectively they will represent a significant contribution towards the work of the Foundation and the Regional Trusts. Hence the campaign title It’s Not Just Peanuts! It is also hoped that sums over £50 will be donated, but these require the firm to apply to the Solicitors Regulation Authority on a case by case basis.
For complete information please see the booklet for law firms which includes a Q&A.
The booklet refers to additional documents for download:
The Foundation is very grateful to participating law firms for the time and effort to unlock these funds for the voluntary legal sector. Please send queries to clientbalances@atjf.org.uk
