CJN Prohibits Use of ‘Barrister’ as Name Prefix in Supreme Court
By Fact Harbour News
ABUJA – The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has directed lawyers, court officials and other legal personnel to immediately stop using the title “Barrister” as a prefix to their names in all official engagements and documents within the Supreme Court.
The directive was contained in an official memorandum dated July 13, 2026, 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 the apex court.
According to the memorandum, the use of the title “Barrister” before a person’s name is considered inappropriate and inconsistent with the professional standards expected of legal practitioners operating within the Supreme Court.
The circular emphasized that the new directive takes immediate effect and forms part of broader efforts by the leadership of the judiciary to strengthen professionalism, promote uniformity and maintain the dignity of 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 memorandum stated.
Consequently, all affected personnel have been instructed to discontinue the use of the title in official correspondence, court records, legal documents, identity cards, office files and every other official material associated with the Supreme Court.
The directive also requires that future official communications and documentation originating from the Supreme Court should bear only the names and recognised professional designations permitted by the court’s administrative guidelines.
To ensure strict implementation, the Chief Justice directed heads of departments, supervising officers and other senior court officials to monitor compliance and ensure that the directive is fully enforced across all units of the Supreme Court.
Legal observers say the move is aimed at reinforcing professional ethics, institutional discipline and consistency in official judicial communications.
The title “Barrister” is commonly used in Nigeria by legal practitioners who have been called to the Nigerian Bar. However, the latest directive does not affect an individual’s qualification as a legal practitioner but only restricts the use of the title as a prefix in official engagements within the Supreme Court.
The development has generated discussion within the legal community, with many practitioners expected to adjust official documents, correspondence and identification materials to comply with the new policy.
Justice Kekere-Ekun has continued to introduce administrative measures aimed at strengthening the integrity, efficiency and professionalism of Nigeria’s judiciary since assuming office as Chief Justice of Nigeria. The latest directive is viewed as another step toward standardising official practices within the country’s apex court.
The Supreme Court remains Nigeria’s highest judicial authority, and directives issued by the office of the Chief Justice are binding on officials and legal practitioners operating within the court’s administrative jurisdiction.