By Our Reporter
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has directed lawyers and court officials to immediately stop using the title "Barrister" before their names in all official dealings with the Supreme Court, declaring pointedly that the practice is inconsistent with the professional standards expected at the nation’s highest court.
The order was conveyed in a circular dated July 13, 2026, and signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi, pointing out that the directive, which takes immediate effect, applies to litigation staff, legal practitioners, court registrars and other lawyers engaged in official business with the apex court.
The Chief Justice, according to the circular, ruled that the continued use of “Barrister” as a prefix does not align with the level of professionalism the Supreme Court seeks to uphold in its official processes.
“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 new directive, lawyers are expected to discontinue the use of the title in official correspondence, court records, legal documents, identity materials and every other form of official engagement involving the Supreme Court.
It further directed heads of departments and unit heads to ensure full implementation of the instruction 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," it added.
The development being one of the latest administrative measures introduced under Justice Kekere-Ekun’s leadership of the judiciary, underscored the emphasis being placed on professional conduct in official court communications.
This directive comes after the Body of Benchers, through its Chairman, HRM Albert Akpomuje, SAN, expressed concerns over the abusive use of the "Barrister" title by lawyers.
“The word "Barrister" as a title has become very common, particularly among our political colleagues who want everybody to know they are lawyers—though not in active practice—by introducing themselves with the title 'Barrister' before their name.
“This is very wrong and unprofessional. A lawyer can address himself with his name but not ‘Barrister’ before the name.
“It is only in this country that we see some practitioners use ‘Barrister’ as a title before the name of a lawyer,” the legal body stated during a Call-to-Bar ceremony held in Abuja recently.
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