Residual Client Balances
Turn dormant funds into life changing legal assistance
Residual client balances sitting on your ledger represent something meaningful.
By donating residual client balances to us, you’re ensuring these funds enable legal advice for people who desperately need it but otherwise couldn’t afford it.
Get started today:
- Contact us first: Email clientbalances@atjf.org.uk to let us know you’re planning a donation
- Transfer the funds
- By bank transfer (preferred): We’ll provide details when you’re ready to donate, or
- By cheque: Sent to The Access to Justice Foundation, 7 Bell Yard, London, WC2A 2JR
Remember to include details: Either via email or on the payment reference, including your client’s name and internal reference number for our records.
We make it simple and safe
Hundreds of law firms already support access to justice by donating their residual client balances to us. We take donations of any size, no amount is too small, and we’re well equipped to process larger sums too.
We’ve designed our process to be straightforward and secure.
Here’s what we provide:
- SRA backed indemnity for all donations, making the process risk free for your firm
- Clear guidance on the donation process
- Supporter badge to demonstrate your support of access to justice
The process is straightforward
In England and Wales
For balances under £500: No SRA approval needed, provided you’ve followed rule 5.1( c ) of the SRA Accounts Rules.
For balances over £500: SRA authorisation required under rule 5.1( c ) of the SRA Accounts Rules, but the process is straightforward.
The Institute of Legal Finance & Management (ILFM) has been proud to partner with The Access to Justice Foundation for several years. With Residual Client Balances increasingly under scrutiny, it’s encouraging to see how these unclaimed funds can be redirected to make a real difference. Donations resulting from this initiative help fund vital free legal advice for those most in need. It’s always rewarding to hear when our partnership has played a part in enabling these contributions.
In Northern Ireland
For balances under £500: no approval needed from the Law Society of Northern Ireland, provided you’ve followed Regulation 15.4 of the Solicitors’ Accounts Regulations 2014.
For balances over £500: Written approval required from the Law Society of Northern Ireland under Regulation 15.4 of the Solicitors’ Accounts Regulations 2014.
In Scotland
For balances between £10 and £50: no approval needed from the Law Society of Scotland, provided you’ve followed account rule 6.11.3 in B6: Accounts, Accounts Certificates, Professional Practice & Guarantee Fund
If your residual client balances originate from Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland please let us know. We will ensure that these funds are used in those nations.
Protection for your firm
We provide written indemnities for all donations over £500 (and those under £500 on request). If your client is later traced, simply ask us for the funds back and we’ll return them immediately. Your firm stays fully compliant.
Transform dormant funds into impact
For the most vulnerable people, legal problems means the risk of losing homes, incomes, and even families. Every residual client balance you donate transforms lives by providing free legal advice that diverts people from crisis. It’s turning unused resources into meaningful change in a risk-free way.
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Our impact
Learn more about the impact we have on the communities most in need
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What we’re funding
Making justice accessible for those who need it
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Why we exist
Justice shouldn’t depend on your postcode or bank balance
