Unclaimed client accounts can change young lives. If your firm holds residual client balances, you can donate them to Step by Step and help tackle youth homelessness - in full compliance with Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) rules.
Contact Our Fundraising TeamBy directing dormant funds to a trusted youth charity, your firm can make a lasting difference to young people at risk of homelessness. Download our guide to get started or contact our fundraising team to talk it through.
Residual client balances are small sums left in client accounts that remain unclaimed despite reasonable efforts to return them. These balances, often accrued over time, can be difficult to return and costly to administer.
Donating them to charity is a recognised and compliant way to put these funds to good use - creating social impact and aligning your firm with ethical, values-driven practice.
Step by Step is a leading youth charity supporting vulnerable 11–25 year olds across the South of England. We provide supported accommodation, mental health services, and help getting into education, training and employment.
Your donation could:
Fund a rent deposit so a young person can move into a new home
Cover the cost of supported accommodation for a year
Provide counselling and wellbeing support to young people in crisis
Every pound helps young people move on from homelessness and build a brighter future. Donating residual client funds is a powerful way for your firm to be part of that story.
Join us in taking a stand against youth homelessness.
Donating residual client balances is fully supported by the SRA under specific conditions. Here's how it works:
You can donate unclaimed client balances of £500 or less per client without SRA authorisation
The rightful owner must be untraceable after proper attempts to contact them
You must record your efforts and comply with Rule 5.1(c) of the SRA Accounts Rules
For amounts over £500 per client, written authorisation from the SRA is required
Apply via the form available on the SRA website:
sra.org.uk/solicitors/guidance/general-granting-authority-withdraw-residual-client-balances
Or contact the SRA's Professional Ethics team:
Tel: 0370 606 2577
Email: professional.ethics@sra.org.uk
Step by Step offers a full indemnity for every donation of residual client balances.
We acknowledge receipt of all funds
Where SRA authorisation is required, we confirm once approval is granted
A signed individual indemnity letter is issued for your records
This provides peace of mind and protects your firm against future claims. Please contact us to arrange a bank transfer or request an indemnity.
young people were supported by Step by Step last year
counselling sessions delivered to young people last year
young people are homeless or at risk of homelessness each year
