If you read a Certificate of Buisness Name Registration issued 10 yrs ago & then proceed to read a current one you will see exactly what I mean by its effectiveness being eroded as stated above it is in the main a tool for advertising,marketing,banking & remains very much a personal choice The 9% rise is attributable to many factors including but not limited to many directors of previously viable Ltd. companies now operating much smaller operations in a sole trader capacity The increase cannot in any way be seen as an endorsement of the strength or indeed the legal protection of this sort of buisness registration.