26 Annual Report
Costs associated with maintaining computer software are recognised as
an expense when incurred.
Costs associated with the development and maintenance of the Law
Commission website are recognised as an expense when incurred.
Amortisation
The carrying value of an intangible asset with a finite life is amortised
on a straight-line basis over its useful life. Amortisation begins when
the asset is available for use and ceases at the date that the asset is
derecognised. The amortisation charge for each period is recognised in
statement of financial performance.
The useful lives and associated amortisation rates of the major class
of intangible assets has been estimated as follows:
Acquired computer software
3 years
33%
Impairment of non-financial assets
Property, plant and equipment and intangible assets that have a finite
useful life are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in
circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.
An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the assetfs
carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount
is the higher of an assetfs fair value less costs to sell and v
Value in use is depreciated replacement cost for an asset where the
future economic benefits or service potential of the asset are not
primarily dependent on the assetfs ability to generate net cash inflows
and where the Law Commission would, if deprived of the asset,
replace its remaining future economic benefits or service potent
If an assetfs carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount, the asset
is impaired and the carrying amount is written down to the recoverable
amount. For revalued assets the impairment loss is recognised against
the revaluation reserve for that class of asset. Where that results in a
debit balance in the revaluation reserve, the balance is recognised in the
statement of financial performance.
For assets not carried at revalued amount, the total impairment loss is
recognised in the statement of financial performance.
The reversal of an impairment loss on a revalued asset is credited to the
revaluation reserve. However, to the extent that an impairment loss for
that class of asset was previously recognised in the statement of financial
performance, a reversal of the impairment loss is also recognised in the
statement of financial performance.