The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has directed lawyers, court officials and other personnel conducting official business at the Supreme Court to discontinue the use of the title “Barrister” as a prefix to their names.
The directive was contained in a memorandum dated July 13, 2026, and signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi.
Addressed to litigation staff, legal practitioners, court registrars and lawyers, the circular stated that the order takes immediate effect and is aimed at upholding the standards of professionalism expected within Nigeria’s apex court.
According to the memorandum, the Chief Justice considers the use of the title “Barrister” before names to be inappropriate in official engagements.
«”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 circular further directed all affected officers to stop using the title in official correspondence, records, documents, identity materials and all other official engagements.
«”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,” it added.»
To ensure compliance, the Chief Justice instructed supervisory officers within the court to enforce the directive.
The development comes weeks after the Council of Legal Education warned prospective lawyers against wearing legal wigs and gowns or presenting themselves as qualified legal practitioners before being formally called to the Nigerian Bar.
The council said such conduct diminishes the dignity of the legal profession and warned that offenders could face disciplinary action. It also reminded candidates that the use of legal regalia is regulated by the Rules of Professional Conduct and is reserved exclusively for duly qualified legal practitioners.
