The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has directed lawyers, court officials, and all personnel conducting official business at the Supreme Court to immediately discontinue the use of the title “Barrister” as a prefix to their names in all official engagements with the apex court. The directive forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen professionalism, promote uniformity, and uphold the highest standards of legal practice within Nigeria’s judicial system.
The new policy 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 Chief Justice observed that the continued use of the title “Barrister” before names in official correspondence and court documents is inappropriate and inconsistent with the professional standards expected at the nation’s highest court. As a result, all affected legal practitioners and court personnel have been instructed to stop using the title in official letters, court records, identity materials, legal documents, and every other formal engagement with immediate effect.
To ensure full compliance, heads of departments and unit heads have been directed to enforce the new rule across their respective offices. Although the memorandum did not specify penalties for those who fail to comply, the directive is expected to standardise official communication and reinforce established conventions within the legal profession, where lawyers are generally identified by their names, academic qualifications, or recognised professional ranks such as Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), rather than by the prefix “Barrister.”..READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
Legal observers have described the directive as another step toward preserving the ethics, traditions, and institutional integrity of the legal profession. The decision also aligns with recent efforts by legal regulatory bodies to uphold professional standards, including warnings against individuals presenting themselves as qualified legal practitioners before being formally called to the Nigerian Bar.
The latest directive underscores the Supreme Court’s determination to maintain professionalism and consistency in judicial proceedings while setting a clear standard for official practice within Nigeria’s highest court. As the apex court continues to shape legal traditions in the country, the new rule is expected to influence how lawyers and court personnel conduct official business going forward.
