Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), has directed legal practitioners to stop using the title “Barrister” as a prefix to their names in all official engagements.
The directive, conveyed in a memorandum dated July 13, 2026, was addressed to litigation staff, legal practitioners, court registrars and lawyers.
She declared the practice does not align with the professional standards expected at the nation’s highest 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 memo stated.
Moreover, 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.
The circular 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,” the memo added.
The development is one of the latest administrative measures introduced under Justice Kekere-Ekun’s leadership of the judiciary.
The directive underscored the emphasis being placed on professional conduct in official court communications.
In legal practice, “Barrister” traditionally describes a lawyer qualified to appear before superior courts.
However, Nigerian lawyers are enrolled as Barristers and Solicitors of the Supreme Court after being called to the Bar.
The designation forms part of their professional qualification rather than a compulsory official title.
While many legal practitioners voluntarily adopt the prefix in correspondence and public engagements, others simply use their names alongside professional or academic qualifications such as SAN, PhD or other recognised distinctions.
Meanwhile, the latest directive is expected to standardise official documentation within the Supreme Court and ensure uniform compliance by lawyers and court personnel in their interactions with the apex court.
