CJN bans lawyers from using ‘Barrister’ as name prefix at Supreme Court

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has directed lawyers and court officials to stop using the title “Barrister” as a prefix to their names in all official engagements at the Supreme Court.

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 said the order takes immediate effect as part of efforts to uphold professional standards within the apex court.

The memorandum read: “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 directed all affected officers to immediately discontinue the use of the title in official correspondence, records and other official materials.

“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,” the memorandum stated.

To ensure full implementation, the Chief Justice also instructed supervisory officers to enforce compliance across all departments and units.

The circular added: “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 directive comes weeks 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 conduct undermined the dignity of the legal profession and cautioned that violators could face disciplinary measures.

It also reminded candidates that the use of legal regalia is governed by the Rules of Professional Conduct and is reserved exclusively for duly qualified legal practitioners.

𝕤𝕖𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖/𝕨𝕒𝕥𝕔𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕧𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕠 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖