The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has directed lawyers, court officials and other personnel to stop using the title “Barrister” as a prefix to their names in all official engagements at the Supreme Court.
The directive, which takes immediate effect, was conveyed in a memorandum dated July 13, 2026, and signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi.
The circular was distributed to litigation staff, legal practitioners, court registrars and lawyers working with the apex court.
Directive targets professional standards
According to the memorandum, the decision was taken to reinforce professionalism and uphold the standards expected within Nigeria’s highest court.
The circular stated that the use of the title “Barrister” before names is considered inappropriate in official engagements and does not align with the professional standards of the Supreme Court.
“I am directed by the Honourable the Chief Justice of Nigeria to notify all Litigation Staff, Legal Practitioners, Court Registrars, and Lawyers that the use of the title ‘Barrister’ as a prefix to names is inappropriate and inconsistent with the standards of professionalism expected within the Supreme Court of Nigeria,” the memo stated.
The directive further instructed all affected personnel to immediately discontinue the use of the title in official correspondence, court records, documents, identity materials and every other official engagement.
“Consequently, all officers concerned are hereby directed to discontinue the use of the title ‘Barrister’ before their names in all official correspondence, records, documents, identity materials, and any other official engagements with immediate effect.”
Departments ordered to enforce compliance
The Chief Justice also directed heads of departments and unit heads to ensure strict compliance with the new policy across all sections of the Supreme Court.
“Heads of Departments and Unit Heads are requested to ensure strict compliance with this directive by all officers under their supervision. Please be guided accordingly.”
The development comes shortly after the Council of Legal Education cautioned prospective lawyers against wearing wigs and gowns or presenting themselves as qualified legal practitioners before being formally called to the Nigerian Bar.
The council warned that such conduct diminishes the dignity of the legal profession and reiterated that legal regalia is reserved exclusively for lawyers who have been duly called to the Bar in accordance with the Rules of Professional Conduct.
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