Why are you diverging from the BMIF categories?

This year for the BMIF renewal four areas which were previously categorised separately (Admiralty, Competition, European, and International) were merged with Commercial and Financial services. We have kept these areas of practice separate, the same as in previous years, so that the information provided to the BSB is consistent across years. Outside of those four areas, all practice areas are the same as are used during BMIF renewal so in the majority of cases individual barristers will be able to provide the same information to the BSB as they provide to BMIF. This makes the requirement to provide this information less burdensome.