CCEW Charity Commission profile

MEDIA LEGAL DEFENCE INITIATIVE

Registered charity 1128789 · organisation 4042383

01 Identity

Registration and reporting

Registration status
Registered
Reporting status
Submission Received
Charity type
Charitable company
Registered
24 March 2009
Removed
Not supplied
Company number supplied
06621203
Financial period
1 January 2025 – 31 December 2025
Latest income
£3,371,113
Latest expenditure
£2,548,454
Gift Aid
No
Owns or uses land
No
In administration
No
Insolvent
No
CIO
No

Public contact address: Media Legal Defence Initiative, Holborn Gate, 330 High Holborn, London, WC1V 7QH

Website recorded by the regulator: www.mediadefence.org (displayed as text)

02 Activities

What the charity does

THE PROMOTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS (AS SET OUT IN THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, SUBSEQUENT UNITED NATIONS CONVENTIONS AND DECLARATIONS AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL TREATIES AND LAWS) THROUGHOUT THE WORLD IN PARTICULAR BY (BUT NOT LIMITED TO) PROTECTING FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND THE RIGHT TO FREE EXPRESSION.

03 Official extract

Charity Annual Return History

Fin Period Start Date
1 January 2025
Fin Period End Date
31 December 2025
Ar Cycle Reference
AR25
Reporting Due Date
31 October 2026
Date Annual Return Received
8 October 2026
Date Accounts Received
8 October 2026
Total Gross Income
£3,371,113
Total Gross Expenditure
£2,548,454
Fin Period Start Date
1 January 2024
Fin Period End Date
31 December 2024
Ar Cycle Reference
AR24
Reporting Due Date
31 October 2025
Date Annual Return Received
17 June 2025
Date Accounts Received
17 June 2025
Total Gross Income
£3,011,724
Total Gross Expenditure
£2,961,680
Fin Period Start Date
1 January 2023
Fin Period End Date
31 December 2023
Ar Cycle Reference
AR23
Reporting Due Date
31 October 2024
Date Annual Return Received
23 July 2024
Date Accounts Received
23 July 2024
Total Gross Income
£2,866,885
Total Gross Expenditure
£2,949,701
Fin Period Start Date
1 January 2022
Fin Period End Date
31 December 2022
Ar Cycle Reference
AR22
Reporting Due Date
31 October 2023
Date Annual Return Received
7 July 2023
Date Accounts Received
7 July 2023
Total Gross Income
£2,642,048
Total Gross Expenditure
£2,289,942
Fin Period Start Date
1 January 2021
Fin Period End Date
31 December 2021
Ar Cycle Reference
AR21
Reporting Due Date
31 October 2022
Date Annual Return Received
13 June 2022
Date Accounts Received
13 June 2022
Total Gross Income
£2,092,657
Total Gross Expenditure
£1,991,876

04 Official extract

Charity Annual Return Parta

Latest Fin Period Submitted Ind
Yes
Fin Period Order Number
1
Ar Cycle Reference
AR25
Fin Period Start Date
1 January 2025
Fin Period End Date
31 December 2025
Ar Due Date
31 October 2026
Ar Received Date
8 October 2026
Total Gross Income
£3,371,113
Total Gross Expenditure
£2,548,454
Grant Making Is Main Activity
Yes
Count Govt Contracts
0
Count Govt Grants
£0
Charity Has Trading Subsidiary
No
Does Trustee Receive Any Benefit
No
Trustee Payments Acting As Trustee
No
Trustee Receives Payments Services
No
Trustee Receives Other Benefit
No
Trustee Resigned Employment
No
Employees Salary Over 60k
Yes
Count Salary Band 60001 70000
0
Count Salary Band 70001 80000
1
Count Salary Band 80001 90000
3
Count Salary Band 90001 100000
0
Count Salary Band 100001 110000
0
Count Salary Band 110001 120000
0
Count Salary Band 120001 130000
0
Count Salary Band 130001 140000
0
Count Salary Band 140001 150000
0
Count Salary Band 150001 200000
0
Count Salary Band 200001 250000
0
Count Salary Band 250001 300000
0
Count Salary Band 300001 350000
0
Count Salary Band 350001 400000
0
Count Salary Band 400001 450000
0
Count Salary Band 450001 500000
0
Count Salary Band Over 500000
0
Count Volunteers
4
Latest Fin Period Submitted Ind
No
Fin Period Order Number
2
Ar Cycle Reference
AR24
Fin Period Start Date
1 January 2024
Fin Period End Date
31 December 2024
Ar Due Date
31 October 2025
Ar Received Date
17 June 2025
Total Gross Income
£3,011,724
Total Gross Expenditure
£2,961,680
Grant Making Is Main Activity
No
Count Govt Contracts
0
Count Govt Grants
£0
Charity Has Trading Subsidiary
No
Does Trustee Receive Any Benefit
No
Trustee Payments Acting As Trustee
No
Trustee Receives Payments Services
No
Trustee Receives Other Benefit
No
Trustee Resigned Employment
No
Employees Salary Over 60k
Yes
Count Salary Band 60001 70000
0
Count Salary Band 70001 80000
3
Count Salary Band 80001 90000
1
Count Salary Band 90001 100000
0
Count Salary Band 100001 110000
0
Count Salary Band 110001 120000
0
Count Salary Band 120001 130000
0
Count Salary Band 130001 140000
0
Count Salary Band 140001 150000
0
Count Salary Band 150001 200000
0
Count Salary Band 200001 250000
0
Count Salary Band 250001 300000
0
Count Salary Band 300001 350000
0
Count Salary Band 350001 400000
0
Count Salary Band 400001 450000
0
Count Salary Band 450001 500000
0
Count Salary Band Over 500000
0
Count Volunteers
0
Latest Fin Period Submitted Ind
No
Fin Period Order Number
3
Ar Cycle Reference
AR23
Fin Period Start Date
1 January 2023
Fin Period End Date
31 December 2023
Ar Due Date
31 October 2024
Ar Received Date
23 July 2024
Total Gross Income
£2,866,885
Total Gross Expenditure
£2,949,701
Grant Making Is Main Activity
No
Count Govt Contracts
0
Count Govt Grants
£0
Charity Has Trading Subsidiary
No
Does Trustee Receive Any Benefit
No
Trustee Payments Acting As Trustee
No
Trustee Receives Payments Services
No
Trustee Receives Other Benefit
No
Trustee Resigned Employment
No
Employees Salary Over 60k
Yes
Count Salary Band 60001 70000
0
Count Salary Band 70001 80000
3
Count Salary Band 80001 90000
0
Count Salary Band 90001 100000
0
Count Salary Band 100001 110000
0
Count Salary Band 110001 120000
0
Count Salary Band 120001 130000
0
Count Salary Band 130001 140000
0
Count Salary Band 140001 150000
0
Count Salary Band 150001 200000
0
Count Salary Band 200001 250000
0
Count Salary Band 250001 300000
0
Count Salary Band 300001 350000
0
Count Salary Band 350001 400000
0
Count Salary Band 400001 450000
0
Count Salary Band 450001 500000
0
Count Salary Band Over 500000
0
Count Volunteers
0
Latest Fin Period Submitted Ind
No
Fin Period Order Number
4
Ar Cycle Reference
AR22
Fin Period Start Date
1 January 2022
Fin Period End Date
31 December 2022
Ar Due Date
31 October 2023
Ar Received Date
7 July 2023
Total Gross Income
£2,642,048
Total Gross Expenditure
£2,289,942
Charity Raises Funds From Public
No
Grant Making Is Main Activity
Yes
Charity Receives Govt Funding Contracts
No
Charity Receives Govt Funding Grants
No
Charity Has Trading Subsidiary
No
Does Trustee Receive Any Benefit
No
Trustee Resigned Employment
No
Employees Salary Over 60k
Yes
Count Salary Band 70001 80000
2
Count Salary Band 80001 90000
1
Count Volunteers
1
Latest Fin Period Submitted Ind
No
Fin Period Order Number
5
Ar Cycle Reference
AR21
Fin Period Start Date
1 January 2021
Fin Period End Date
31 December 2021
Ar Due Date
31 October 2022
Ar Received Date
13 June 2022
Total Gross Income
£2,092,657
Total Gross Expenditure
£1,991,876
Charity Raises Funds From Public
No
Grant Making Is Main Activity
Yes
Charity Receives Govt Funding Contracts
No
Charity Receives Govt Funding Grants
No
Charity Has Trading Subsidiary
No
Does Trustee Receive Any Benefit
No
Trustee Resigned Employment
No
Employees Salary Over 60k
Yes
Count Salary Band 60001 70000
1
Count Salary Band 70001 80000
2
Count Salary Band 80001 90000
1
Count Volunteers
4

05 Official extract

Charity Annual Return Partb

Latest Fin Period Submitted Ind
Yes
Fin Period Order Number
1
Ar Cycle Reference
AR25
Fin Period Start Date
1 January 2025
Fin Period End Date
31 December 2025
Ar Due Date
31 October 2026
Ar Received Date
8 October 2026
Income Donations And Legacies
3352628
Income Other Trading Activities
0
Income Charitable Activities
0
Income Investments
13692
Income Other
4793
Income Total Income And Endowments
3371113
Income Legacies
0
Income Endowments
0
Expenditure Raising Funds
£100,072
Expenditure Charitable Expenditure
£2,448,382
Expenditure Other
0
Expenditure Total
2548454
Expenditure Investment Management
0
Expenditure Grants Institution
354862
Expenditure Governance
65323
Expenditure Support Costs
655793
Expenditure Depreciation
15122
Gain Loss Investment
190870
Gain Loss Pension Fund
0
Gain Loss Revaluation Fixed Investment
0
Gain Loss Other
0
Reserves
£1,625,803
Assets Total Fixed
29949
Assets Own Use
29949
Assets Long Term Investment
0
Defined Benefit Pension Scheme
0
Assets Other Assets
£2,668,233
Assets Total Liabilities
£615,869
Assets Current Investment
402896
Assets Total Assets And Liabilities
£2,082,313
Creditors One Year Total Current
615869
Creditors Falling Due After One Year
0
Assets Cash
£2,186,002
Funds Endowment
0
Funds Unrestricted
1625803
Funds Restricted
456510
Funds Total
2082313
Count Employees
18
Charity Only Accounts
Yes
Latest Fin Period Submitted Ind
No
Fin Period Order Number
2
Ar Cycle Reference
AR24
Fin Period Start Date
1 January 2024
Fin Period End Date
31 December 2024
Ar Due Date
31 October 2025
Ar Received Date
17 June 2025
Income Donations And Legacies
2994024
Income Other Trading Activities
0
Income Charitable Activities
0
Income Investments
13015
Income Other
4685
Income Total Income And Endowments
3011724
Income Legacies
0
Income Endowments
0
Expenditure Raising Funds
£86,253
Expenditure Charitable Expenditure
£2,875,427
Expenditure Other
0
Expenditure Total
2961680
Expenditure Investment Management
0
Expenditure Grants Institution
0
Expenditure Governance
73896
Expenditure Support Costs
449057
Expenditure Depreciation
6385
Gain Loss Investment
0
Gain Loss Pension Fund
0
Gain Loss Revaluation Fixed Investment
0
Gain Loss Other
0
Reserves
£1,056,442
Assets Total Fixed
18194
Assets Own Use
18194
Assets Long Term Investment
0
Defined Benefit Pension Scheme
0
Assets Other Assets
£2,303,560
Assets Total Liabilities
£1,062,100
Assets Current Investment
0
Assets Total Assets And Liabilities
£1,259,654
Creditors One Year Total Current
1062100
Creditors Falling Due After One Year
0
Assets Cash
£2,076,649
Funds Endowment
0
Funds Unrestricted
1056442
Funds Restricted
203212
Funds Total
1259654
Count Employees
20
Charity Only Accounts
Yes
Latest Fin Period Submitted Ind
No
Fin Period Order Number
3
Ar Cycle Reference
AR23
Fin Period Start Date
1 January 2023
Fin Period End Date
31 December 2023
Ar Due Date
31 October 2024
Ar Received Date
23 July 2024
Income Donations And Legacies
2850153
Income Other Trading Activities
0
Income Charitable Activities
0
Income Investments
12557
Income Other
4175
Income Total Income And Endowments
2866885
Income Legacies
0
Income Endowments
0
Expenditure Raising Funds
£106,371
Expenditure Charitable Expenditure
£2,843,330
Expenditure Other
0
Expenditure Total
2949701
Expenditure Investment Management
0
Expenditure Grants Institution
0
Expenditure Governance
54972
Expenditure Support Costs
443239
Expenditure Depreciation
7587
Gain Loss Investment
0
Gain Loss Pension Fund
0
Gain Loss Revaluation Fixed Investment
0
Gain Loss Other
0
Reserves
£578,586
Assets Total Fixed
9400
Assets Own Use
9400
Assets Long Term Investment
0
Defined Benefit Pension Scheme
0
Assets Other Assets
£2,444,830
Assets Total Liabilities
£1,244,619
Assets Current Investment
0
Assets Total Assets And Liabilities
£1,209,611
Creditors One Year Total Current
1244619
Creditors Falling Due After One Year
0
Assets Cash
£2,161,701
Funds Endowment
0
Funds Unrestricted
943761
Funds Restricted
265850
Funds Total
1209611
Count Employees
18
Charity Only Accounts
Yes
Latest Fin Period Submitted Ind
No
Fin Period Order Number
4
Ar Cycle Reference
AR22
Fin Period Start Date
1 January 2022
Fin Period End Date
31 December 2022
Ar Due Date
31 October 2023
Ar Received Date
7 July 2023
Income Donations And Legacies
2540242
Income Other Trading Activities
0
Income Charitable Activities
0
Income Investments
43
Income Other
101763
Income Total Income And Endowments
2642048
Income Legacies
0
Income Endowments
0
Expenditure Raising Funds
£100,678
Expenditure Charitable Expenditure
£2,189,264
Expenditure Other
0
Expenditure Total
2289942
Expenditure Investment Management
0
Expenditure Grants Institution
1096214
Expenditure Governance
54200
Expenditure Support Costs
253042
Expenditure Depreciation
3620
Gain Loss Investment
0
Gain Loss Pension Fund
0
Gain Loss Revaluation Fixed Investment
0
Gain Loss Other
98216
Reserves
£357,500
Assets Total Fixed
9441
Assets Own Use
9441
Assets Long Term Investment
0
Defined Benefit Pension Scheme
0
Assets Other Assets
£1,841,123
Assets Total Liabilities
£558,136
Assets Current Investment
516589
Assets Total Assets And Liabilities
£1,292,428
Creditors One Year Total Current
558136
Creditors Falling Due After One Year
0
Assets Cash
£1,031,311
Funds Endowment
0
Funds Unrestricted
1123073
Funds Restricted
169355
Funds Total
1292428
Count Employees
17
Charity Only Accounts
Yes
Latest Fin Period Submitted Ind
No
Fin Period Order Number
5
Ar Cycle Reference
AR21
Fin Period Start Date
1 January 2021
Fin Period End Date
31 December 2021
Ar Due Date
31 October 2022
Ar Received Date
13 June 2022
Income Donations And Legacies
2087864
Income Other Trading Activities
0
Income Charitable Activities
0
Income Investments
468
Income Other
4325
Income Total Income And Endowments
2092657
Income Legacies
0
Income Endowments
0
Expenditure Raising Funds
£121,853
Expenditure Charitable Expenditure
£1,870,023
Expenditure Other
0
Expenditure Total
1991876
Expenditure Investment Management
0
Expenditure Grants Institution
516684
Expenditure Governance
45239
Expenditure Support Costs
263248
Expenditure Depreciation
2020
Gain Loss Investment
0
Gain Loss Pension Fund
0
Gain Loss Revaluation Fixed Investment
0
Gain Loss Other
0
Reserves
£357,500
Assets Total Fixed
5340
Assets Own Use
5340
Assets Long Term Investment
0
Defined Benefit Pension Scheme
0
Assets Other Assets
£1,596,458
Assets Total Liabilities
£661,476
Assets Current Investment
0
Assets Total Assets And Liabilities
£940,322
Creditors One Year Total Current
661476
Creditors Falling Due After One Year
0
Assets Cash
£1,547,900
Funds Endowment
0
Funds Unrestricted
600983
Funds Restricted
339339
Funds Total
940322
Count Employees
16
Charity Only Accounts
Yes

06 Official extract

Charity Area Of Operation

Geographic Area Type
Country
Geographic Area Description
Pakistan
Parent Geographic Area Type
Continent
Parent Geographic Area Description
Asia
Welsh Ind
No
Geographic Area Type
Country
Geographic Area Description
Czech Republic
Parent Geographic Area Type
Continent
Parent Geographic Area Description
Europe
Welsh Ind
No
Geographic Area Type
Country
Geographic Area Description
Azerbaijan
Parent Geographic Area Type
Continent
Parent Geographic Area Description
Europe
Welsh Ind
No
Geographic Area Type
Country
Geographic Area Description
Latvia
Parent Geographic Area Type
Continent
Parent Geographic Area Description
Europe
Welsh Ind
No
Geographic Area Type
Country
Geographic Area Description
Guatemala
Parent Geographic Area Type
Continent
Parent Geographic Area Description
North America
Welsh Ind
No
Geographic Area Type
Country
Geographic Area Description
Uruguay
Parent Geographic Area Type
Continent
Parent Geographic Area Description
South America
Welsh Ind
No
Geographic Area Type
Country
Geographic Area Description
Yemen
Parent Geographic Area Type
Continent
Parent Geographic Area Description
Asia
Welsh Ind
No
Geographic Area Type
Country
Geographic Area Description
Cambodia
Parent Geographic Area Type
Continent
Parent Geographic Area Description
Asia
Welsh Ind
No
Geographic Area Type
Country
Geographic Area Description
Rwanda
Parent Geographic Area Type
Continent
Parent Geographic Area Description
Africa
Welsh Ind
No
Geographic Area Type
Country
Geographic Area Description
Argentina
Parent Geographic Area Type
Continent
Parent Geographic Area Description
South America
Welsh Ind
No
Geographic Area Type
Country
Geographic Area Description
Mozambique
Parent Geographic Area Type
Continent
Parent Geographic Area Description
Africa
Welsh Ind
No
Geographic Area Type
Country
Geographic Area Description
Spain
Parent Geographic Area Type
Continent
Parent Geographic Area Description
Europe
Welsh Ind
No
Geographic Area Type
Country
Geographic Area Description
Philippines
Parent Geographic Area Type
Continent
Parent Geographic Area Description
Asia
Welsh Ind
No
Geographic Area Type
Country
Geographic Area Description
Hungary
Parent Geographic Area Type
Continent
Parent Geographic Area Description
Europe
Welsh Ind
No
Geographic Area Type
Country
Geographic Area Description
Germany
Parent Geographic Area Type
Continent
Parent Geographic Area Description
Europe
Welsh Ind
No
Geographic Area Type
Country
Geographic Area Description
Ukraine
Parent Geographic Area Type
Continent
Parent Geographic Area Description
Europe
Welsh Ind
No
Geographic Area Type
Country
Geographic Area Description
Ethiopia
Parent Geographic Area Type
Continent
Parent Geographic Area Description
Africa
Welsh Ind
No
Geographic Area Type
Country
Geographic Area Description
India
Parent Geographic Area Type
Continent
Parent Geographic Area Description
Asia
Welsh Ind
No
Geographic Area Type
Country
Geographic Area Description
Slovenia
Parent Geographic Area Type
Continent
Parent Geographic Area Description
Europe
Welsh Ind
No
Geographic Area Type
Country
Geographic Area Description
Italy
Parent Geographic Area Type
Continent
Parent Geographic Area Description
Europe
Welsh Ind
No

Showing 20 of 67 supplied records in this dataset.

07 Official extract

Charity Classification

Classification Code
115
Classification Type
What
Classification Description
Human Rights/religious Or Racial Harmony/equality Or Diversity
Classification Code
302
Classification Type
How
Classification Description
Makes Grants To Organisations
Classification Code
307
Classification Type
How
Classification Description
Provides Advocacy/advice/information
Classification Code
206
Classification Type
Who
Classification Description
Other Defined Groups
Classification Code
301
Classification Type
How
Classification Description
Makes Grants To Individuals
Classification Code
306
Classification Type
How
Classification Description
Provides Services
Classification Code
205
Classification Type
Who
Classification Description
Other Charities Or Voluntary Bodies

08 Official extract

Charity Event History

Charity Name
MEDIA LEGAL DEFENCE INITIATIVE
Charity Event Order
1
Event Type
Standard registration
Date Of Event
2009-03-24T00:00:00

09 Official extract

Charity Governing Document

Governing Document Description
MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES INCORPORATED 16/06/2008AS AMENDED BY SPECIAL RESOLUTION(S) DATED 17/03/2009AS AMENDED BY SPECIAL RESOLUTION(S) DATED 19/11/2012 as amended on 09 Aug 2023
Charitable Objects
(A) TO PROMOTE HUMAN RIGHTS (AS SET OUT IN THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, SUBSEQUENT UNITED NATIONS CONVENTIONS AND DECLARATIONS AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL TREATIES AND LAWS) THROUGHOUT THE WORLD IN PARTICULAR BY (BUT NOT LIMITED TO) PROTECTING FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND THE RIGHT TO FREE EXPRESSION, BY ALL OR ANY OF THE FOLLOWING MEANS:1 MONITORING ABUSES OF HUMAN RIGHTS2 OBTAINING REDRESS FOR THE VICTIMS OF HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSE3 RELIEVING NEED AMONG THE VICTIMS OF HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSE4 RESEARCH INTO HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES5 PROVIDING TECHNICAL ADVICE TO GOVERNMENT AND OTHERS ON HUMAN RIGHTS MATTERS6 CONTRIBUTING TO THE SOUND ADMINISTRATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS LAW7 COMMENTING ON PROPOSED HUMAN RIGHTS LEGISLATION8 RAISING AWARENESS OF HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES9 PROMOTING PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS10 PROMOTING RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AMONG INDIVIDUALS AND CORPORATIONS11 ADVOCACY OF HUMAN RIGHTS12 ELIMINATING INFRINGEMENTS OF HUMAN RIGHTS(B) THE ADVANCEMENT OF EDUCATION IN PARTICULAR BUT NOT LIMITED TO EDUCATION IN JOURNALISM, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND THE LAW
Area Of Benefit
UNDEFINED. IN PRACTICE, NATIONAL AND OVERSEAS.

10 Official extract

Charity Policy

Policy Name
Risk management
Policy Name
Investing charity funds policy and procedures
Policy Name
Paying staff
Policy Name
Complaints handling
Policy Name
Campaigns and political activity policy and procedures
Policy Name
Bullying and harassment policy and procedures
Policy Name
Volunteer management
Policy Name
Trustee expenses policy and procedures
Policy Name
Engaging external speakers at charity events policy and procedures
Policy Name
Conflicting interests
Policy Name
Trustee conflicts of interest policy and procedures
Policy Name
Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures
Policy Name
Safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries
Policy Name
Complaints policy and procedures
Policy Name
Safeguarding policy and procedures
Policy Name
Financial reserves policy and procedures
Policy Name
Investment
Policy Name
Internal risk management policy and procedures
Policy Name
Serious incident reporting policy and procedures
Policy Name
Social media policy and procedures