The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has instructed lawyers and court personnel to cease attaching the prefix “Barrister” to their names during any official dealings within the Supreme Court.
This mandate was issued through an official memorandum dated July 13, 2026, signed by Kabir Akanbi, the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court.
Distributed to legal counsel, litigation staff, registrars, and attorneys, the circular specified that the order takes effect immediately as part of ongoing measures to uphold professional decorum within the apex court.
The memorandum read:“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.”
It further commanded all relevant personnel to promptly eliminate the prefix from formal paperwork and official materials:“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.”
To guarantee total adherence to the mandate, the CJN instructed supervisory officers to oversee enforcement across all sections: “Heads of Departments and Unit Heads are requested to ensure strict compliance with this directive by all officers under their supervision. Please be guided accordingly.”
This development comes shortly after the Council of Legal Education issued a warning to prospective lawyers against donning wigs and gowns or portraying themselves as qualified legal practitioners prior to their formal call to the Nigerian Bar.
The council emphasized that such conduct compromises the dignity of the legal profession and warned that violators risk facing formal disciplinary sanctions.
Additionally, it reminded aspirants that wearing legal regalia is strictly governed by the Rules of Professional Conduct and is reserved exclusively for fully licensed attorneys.
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