The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has issued a directive instructing legal practitioners and court staff to refrain from using the title “Barrister” as a prefix to their names during official proceedings and engagements at the Supreme Court.
The new instruction was communicated through an official memorandum dated July 13, 2026, which was signed by Kabir Akanbi, the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court.
Targeting lawyers, court registrars, legal practitioners, and litigation staff, the memo stated that the ban takes effect immediately as part of ongoing measures to maintain professional decorum at the nation’s highest court.
The memorandum explicitly outlined the Chief Justice’s position on the matter: “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.”
Furthermore, the document instructed all relevant individuals to stop using the prefix across various official formats.
It specified: “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 full adherence to the instruction, the Chief Justice ordered department heads and supervisory staff to enforce the rule across every division of the Supreme Court.
The circular concluded: “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 policy update follows recent warnings from the Council of Legal Education, which cautioned prospective lawyers against wearing wigs and gowns or posing as fully qualified practitioners prior to their official call to the Nigerian Bar.
The council emphasized that unauthorized use of legal attire violates the Rules of Professional Conduct, compromises the profession’s integrity, and carries severe disciplinary consequences.
