The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has directed legal practitioners across the country to stop using the title “Barrister” before their names in all official correspondence and court-related documents.
The directive was contained in a memo dated July 13, signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi, and takes immediate effect.
According to the memo, the Chief Justice described the practice as inappropriate and inconsistent with the level of professionalism expected within Nigeria’s judiciary.
The directive applies to litigation staff, legal practitioners, court registrars and all officers involved in judicial administration.
“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 stated.
The CJN also instructed heads of departments and unit heads across all levels of courts in the country to ensure strict compliance with the new directive.
The decision follows concerns earlier raised by the Body of Benchers, which criticised the growing use of “Barrister” as a formal title by lawyers, particularly those no longer in active legal practice.
Speaking during a recent Call-to-Bar ceremony in Abuja, the Chairman of the Body of Benchers, HRM Albert Akpomuje (SAN), described the practice as unprofessional.
“The word ‘Barrister’ as a title has become very common… This is very wrong and unprofessional. A lawyer can address himself with his name but not ‘Barrister’ before the name,” he said.
The legal body also noted that the practice is largely unique to Nigeria and does not reflect international legal traditions, where lawyers are generally addressed by their names without using “Barrister” as a prefix.
