By Legal Futures Associate DG Legal
In October 2025, the primary insurer for entities regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB), Bar Mutual Indemnity Fund (BMIF), has amended its position in respect of the insurance it is willing and able to provide to BSB regulated entities from April 2026.
Whilst up to now, Bar Mutual has provided insurance to almost all BSB regulated entities, from April 2026, Bar Mutual only intend to offer cover, as of right:
- to any single person entity (SPE),
where the individual owner holds a BSB practising certificate - and to any multi person entity (MPE),
- where at least one owner holds a BSB practising certificate and all other fee earners hold right rights of audience.
In all other circumstances, Bar Mutual will consider applications for insurance on “a “case-by-case basis and exercise its discretion in relation to the provision of PII”.
Bar Mutual has made contact with some entities and has published a guidance note explaining their position on their website, which can read in full here.
It has become clear that any Solicitor owned BSB regulated entities may no longer be granted insurance by Bar Mutual and those who are currently covered are likely to see their policies cease at the end of the policy year ending 31 March 2026.
This policy change will impact a number of authorised entities such as;
- entities owned and managed by Solicitors regulated by the SRA with no Barrister involvement
- entities owned and managed by both Barristers and non-Barristers
- Licensed bodies with non-lawyer owner/managers.
Any entity with fee earners who do not hold higher rights of audience, and those who do not hold current BSB practising certificates should urgently check their position with Bar Mutual directly. You can do this by submitting an application for discretionary cover to Bar Mutual as a first step, it is recommended doing this at your earliest opportunity to ensure that you have sufficient time to consider your alternative options should Bar Mutual decline to offer insurance.
If Bar Mutual decline to provide insurance, you will need to approach other insurers. It is understand that there are limited options available to BSB regulated entities due to very few insurers offering terms to BSB regulated entities. If you are unable to secure insurance from an alternative provider, you may need to consider whether it is appropriate to consider an application for authorisation to an alternative regulator such as the Solicitors Regulation Authority instead.
DG Legal are able to assist BSB regulated entities the following;
- Advice on your BSB regulated entity, including compliance and business management assistance
- Advice on a possible application to change regulator
- Assistance with an application for authorisation by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Should you wish to discuss any aspect of this or your entity’s position with one of DG Legal’s experienced advisors, please do not hesitate to get in touch by emailing them at consultants@dglegal.co.uk or calling 01509 214 999.
