During the week beginning 6 December, donations made to Liberty’s capital appeal through the Big Give website will be matched up to a total of £40,000.
The Civil Liberties Trust is a registered charity (No. 1024948) that works to promote human rights and civil liberties through research, policy work, litigation, education and advice. It works in parallel with Liberty and is based in the same building.
The Trust does not employ staff but pursues its objectives by funding Liberty to carry out specifically charitable work. Most of the Trust’s direct charitable expenditure is represented by grants to Liberty to fund work in the areas of information, research, publications, advice and legal services.
Civil Liberties Trust objectives
1. The promotion of domestic human rights including the elimination of the infringement of those rights and the promoting of effective remedies following any breach, for the benefit of the public.
2. The provision of legal advice, assistance and representation on human rights and civil liberties to those unable to pay for it.
3. The provision of educational material and information on civil liberties and human rights.
4. The undertaking and promotion of research into civil liberties and human rights.
Why are Liberty and the Civil Liberties Trust separate organisations?
Liberty is an unincorporated association made up of members, and a non-profit making company that employs staff and runs campaigns. The Civil Liberties Trust is a grant-making registered charity.
It is important that the different organisations exist. The division enables Liberty to pursue all the work necessary to protect and promote civil liberties and human rights, including, crucially, our political campaigning.
Donations to the Civil Liberties Trust can be gift-aided, meaning that the Civil Liberties Trust can claim back tax you have already paid on your donation, typically 25p for every £1. Visit the HMRC website to find out more.
Can I still donate to Liberty?
Yes! Although donations to Liberty cannot be gift-aided they can be used to support the full spectrum of work that Liberty undertakes. This is often the hardest work to fund, so is where our greatest need lies.
Liberty’s Policy Council meets three times per year and is responsible for policy-setting between Annual General Meetings.
The Council is made up of 30 Liberty members. Each year, 15 members are elected to serve for two years. New Council members take office immediately following the AGM.
From its members, the Council elects an Executive Committee, which meets at least eight times a year. It is responsible for the strategic direction, financial and other governance of Liberty. In addition, the Executive Committee appoints a Treasurer each year at their first meeting following Liberty’s Annual General Meeting.
Members may submit motions for debate or constitutional amendment at the Members’ Conference & AGM.
Please download this form and return by 5.00pm, Thursday 7 March 2019 to submit motions and constituional amendments for debate at the 2019 Liberty AGM.
Liberty works closely with the Civil Liberties Trust (CLT), a registered charity. The CLT has no staff, but commissions Liberty to conduct charitable work such as providing public advice and information.
It is important that the CLT exists as the division between the two organisations enables us to pursue all the work necessary to protect and promote civil liberties and human rights, including, crucially, our political campaigning.
PDF copies are available to download using the links below, but if you would like a printed copy of our latest Annual Review please contact us and we’ll send you one.
Leading businessman and respected entrepreneur Karl E. Watkin MBE has today made a donation to the human rights group Liberty. Mr. Watkin’s support comes after he campaigned with Liberty against the unfair extradition of British citizens to face criminal charges abroad.
