Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has directed lawyers, court officials and other personnel engaging with the Supreme Court to stop using the title “Barrister” as a prefix to their names in official communications and documents.
The directive was conveyed in a memorandum dated July 13, 2026, signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi, and addressed to litigation staff, legal practitioners, court registrars and lawyers.
According to the circular, the decision takes immediate effect and is aimed at maintaining the level of professionalism expected within the nation’s apex court.
The memorandum stated: “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.”
It further instructed all affected officers to stop using the title in official records, correspondence, identity materials and other engagements connected to the court.
The circular added: “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.”
To ensure compliance, the Chief Justice directed heads of departments and unit heads to enforce the directive among officers under their supervision.
“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 memorandum stated.
The development comes shortly after the Council of Legal Education warned prospective lawyers against wearing wigs and gowns or presenting themselves as qualified legal practitioners before being formally called to the Nigerian Bar.
The council said such actions undermine the dignity of the legal profession and cautioned that offenders could face disciplinary measures.
It also reminded candidates that the use of legal regalia is regulated by the Rules of Professional Conduct and reserved for duly qualified legal practitioners.
