In October 2025, the Bar Mutual Indemnity Fund (BMIF), which insures entities regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB), announced significant changes to its insurance offerings for BSB-regulated entities from April 2026 onwards.
Historically, Bar Mutual has provided insurance to almost all BSB-regulated entities. However, from April 2026, it will only offer cover as a matter of right to:
- Single Person Entities (SPEs) where the individual owner holds a BSB practising certificate.
- Multi-Person Entities (MPEs) where at least one owner holds a BSB practising certificate and all other fee earners possess the right of audience.
In all other cases, Bar Mutual will consider applications for Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) on a “case-by-case” basis, exercising discretion regarding whether to offer coverage.
Bar Mutual has contacted affected entities directly and published a guidance note on its website outlining these changes. As a result, solicitor-owned BSB-regulated entities will likely no longer qualify for insurance from Bar Mutual, and those currently covered may see their policies end on 31 March 2026.
The policy revision is expected to affect several types of authorised entities, including:
| Entity Type | Impact |
|---|---|
| Solicitor-owned entities with no barrister involvement | Likely ineligible for insurance |
| Entities owned by both barristers and non-barristers | May no longer qualify for cover |
| Licensed bodies with non-lawyer owners/managers | Ineligible for cover |
| Entities with fee earners lacking higher rights of audience or current BSB practising certificates | May not qualify for insurance |
Entities affected by this change should contact Bar Mutual immediately to check their status. If Bar Mutual declines coverage, alternative insurers may be limited, and entities may need to consider applying to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) for authorisation instead.
DG Legal is available to assist BSB-regulated entities with:
- Compliance and business management advice
- Guidance on applying to change regulators
- Support with applications to the SRA for authorisation