What are dormant funds?
If a solicitors’ firm has a sum in a client fund and they are unable to trace the original owner, these funds are considered dormant. They are sometimes referred to as residual or unclaimed client funds.
These can be a challenge to deal with and create additional administrative work for the firm. However, the firm can withdraw those funds and donate them to a charity of their choosing, subject to certain conditions.
You can donate dormant funds to us:
- if reasonable attempts have been made to return the funds to the original owner
- without SRA permission if the balance is under £500
- but if the balance is over £500, SRA permission will be required.
How do I donate dormant funds?
1. Inform the SRA
For balances over £500, use the Solicitors Regulation Authority's (SRA) form to apply to withdraw funds from the client account.
2. Notify the account holder
Notify the account holder of your intention to donate the unclaimed funds to the NSPCC.
3. Indemnity
We understand you may require an indemnity and if so please contact us at legacies@nspcc.org.uk or on 020 3772 9728. We have a template indemnity that conforms to the SRA’s requirements and we’d be happy to send you a draft for your consideration.
4. Make your donation
By cheque
To make a donation by cheque, please include a cover letter with where possible the client’s name and any reference number. Make them payable to NSPCC and send it by post to:
Legacy Management
NSPCC
Weston House
42 Curtain Road
London
EC2A 2NH
By bank transfer
Please email the team at legacies@nspcc.org.uk with the details of the donation so we can provide you with our account number and sort code for you to make the transfer.
Alternatively you can find our payment details on our website here.
If you would like to donate via phone to our legacies account, please contact our Supporter Care team on 020 7825 2505.
Once the transfer is made, we will send you a receipt via email.
