CJN Bans Use of ‘Barrister’ as Official Title in Supreme Court Correspondence

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has directed lawyers, court registrars, litigation staff, and other legal practitioners to stop using the title "Barrister" as a prefix to their names in all official dealings with the Supreme Court.

The directive, which takes immediate effect, was communicated in a circular dated July 13, 2026, and signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi.

According to the circular, the instruction applies to all legal practitioners, litigation staff, court registrars, and lawyers engaged in official business with the apex court.

The memo stated that the use of the title "Barrister" before names is inappropriate and does not align with the level of professionalism expected within 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 circular read.

Under the new directive, lawyers are required to discontinue the use of the title in all official correspondence, court records, legal documents, identity materials, and every other form of official engagement with the Supreme Court.

The Chief Justice also directed heads of departments and unit heads to ensure strict compliance with the instruction across their respective offices.

"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 memo added.

Although every lawyer called to the Nigerian Bar is enrolled as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, the designation is regarded as a legal qualification rather than a compulsory official title for use in professional correspondence.