THE CHIEF Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has directed lawyers, court officials and other personnel attached to the Supreme Court to discontinue the use of the title, “Barrister”, as a prefix to their names in all official activities and correspondence involving the apex court.
The directive was conveyed in an internal memorandum dated July 13 and signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi.
The circular was addressed to litigation staff, legal practitioners, court registrars and lawyers working within or appearing before the Supreme Court.
According to the memorandum, the decision was taken to reinforce professionalism and uphold the standards expected of legal practitioners and court personnel operating within Nigeria’s highest court.
The circular stated that the use of the title, “Barrister”, before a person’s name is considered inappropriate for official communications and does not align with the professional standards required at the Supreme Court.
“I am directed by the Honourable 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.
Consequently, all affected officers and legal practitioners have been instructed to immediately stop using the title in official correspondence, court records, legal documents, identification materials and every other form of official engagement connected with the Supreme Court.
The Chief Justice also directed heads of departments and unit heads to ensure strict compliance with the new directive by officers and personnel under their supervision.
While the circular expressly prohibits the use of “Barrister” as a prefix, it makes no reference to the continued use of the postnominal designation “Esq.” (Esquire), which remains a widely accepted professional suffix used by lawyers in Nigeria.
The directive comes just weeks after the Council of Legal Education issued a separate warning to prospective lawyers against wearing legal wigs and gowns or presenting themselves as qualified legal practitioners before they are formally called to the Nigerian Bar.
The council reiterated that only individuals who have been duly called to the Bar in accordance with the Rules of Professional Conduct are authorised to wear legal regalia. It warned that anyone found violating the directive could face disciplinary measures.
