Supreme Court Cracks Down on Use of ‘Barrister’ as Official Title
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has prohibited the use of the title “Barrister” as a prefix to names in all official engagements at the Supreme Court, directing lawyers and court personnel to discontinue the practice with immediate effect.
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 obtained by Midwest Herald, the decision forms part of efforts to uphold professionalism and maintain the standards expected within Nigeria’s apex 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 memorandum stated.
The circular further directed all affected officers to immediately discontinue the use of the title in official correspondence, court records, documents, identity materials and every other form of official engagement.
It 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 strict compliance, the Chief Justice also instructed supervisory officers within the Supreme Court to enforce the directive across all departments.
