BREAKING: CJN Bans Lawyers, Court Officials From Using ‘Barrister’ Title

• Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has ordered lawyers and court officials to immediately stop using the title “Barrister” before their names in all official engagements at the Supreme Court.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has directed all lawyers, litigation staff, court registrars, and other officials attached to the Supreme Court to immediately discontinue the use of the title “Barrister” as a prefix to their names in all official engagements.

The directive was contained in a memorandum dated July 13, 2026, and signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi. The circular, which was addressed to legal practitioners, litigation staff, court registrars, and lawyers, stated that the move forms part of efforts to uphold professionalism and maintain the highest standards within Nigeria’s apex court.

According to the memorandum, the Chief Justice considers the use of the title “Barrister” before names to be inappropriate and inconsistent with the professional standards expected at the Supreme 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.

The directive further ordered all affected personnel to immediately stop using the title in official correspondence, court records, documents, identity materials, and every other form of official communication.

“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 circular added.

To ensure strict compliance, the Chief Justice instructed heads of departments and unit heads to enforce the directive among officers under their supervision.

The memorandum stated:

“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.”

The latest directive comes just weeks after the Council of Legal Education warned aspiring lawyers against wearing wigs and gowns or presenting themselves as qualified legal practitioners before they are officially called to the Nigerian Bar.

The council had described such acts as a violation of the dignity of the legal profession, stressing that legal regalia is reserved exclusively for duly qualified lawyers in accordance with the Rules of Professional Conduct. It also warned that anyone found violating the rule could face disciplinary action.