CJN Directs Lawyers to Stop Using 'Barrister' Title

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has directed lawyers and court officials to discontinue the use of the title "Barrister" as a prefix to their names in all official dealings with the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

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.

According to the circular, the use of "Barrister" as a prefix is considered inappropriate and inconsistent with the standards of professionalism expected in 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.

Under the directive, litigation staff, legal practitioners, court registrars, and other lawyers appearing before or engaging with the Supreme Court are expected to stop using the title in official correspondence, court records, legal documents, identity materials, and all other official engagements involving the apex court.

The memorandum also instructed heads of departments and unit heads to ensure strict compliance among officers under their supervision.

"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 circular added.

The measure is one of the administrative reforms introduced under the leadership of Justice Kekere-Ekun and is aimed at promoting uniformity and professionalism in the Supreme Court's official communications.

In Nigeria, lawyers called to the Bar are enrolled as **Barristers and Solicitors of the Supreme Court of Nigeria**. While "Barrister" reflects a lawyer's professional qualification, its use as a prefix before a name has largely been a matter of personal preference rather than a mandatory official designation.

The new directive does not abolish the professional qualification of lawyers as Barristers and Solicitors. Instead, it standardises how legal practitioners and court personnel identify themselves in official interactions with the Supreme Court.