Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, has instructed attorneys and court staff to stop prefixing their names with “Barrister” in all official Supreme Court communications.
The Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi, issued a memorandum on July 13, 2026, outlining this directive.
Addressed to litigation personnel, legal practitioners, court registrars, and legal professionals, the circular emphasized that the order was effective immediately and aimed at upholding the court’s professional standards.
The memorandum, which was reviewed on Friday, stated: “I am directed by the Honourable the Chief Justice of Nigeria to inform all Litigation Staff, Legal Practitioners, Court Registrars, and Lawyers that the use of the title ‘Barrister’ as a prefix to names is inappropriate and does not align with the professionalism expected within the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”
It further instructed: “All concerned officers are hereby directed to cease using the title ‘Barrister’ before their names in all official correspondence, records, documents, identification materials, and other official engagements, effective immediately.”
Heads of Departments and Unit Supervisors are also required to ensure strict adherence to this directive among their staff. All parties are advised to take note accordingly.
This order follows recent warnings from the Council of Legal Education, which cautioned aspiring lawyers against claiming to be qualified attorneys or donning wigs and gowns before they have been officially called to the Nigerian Bar.
The Council warned that violating these rules could lead to disciplinary measures, asserting that such conduct undermines the dignity of the legal profession.
Moreover, it reminded candidates that only duly qualified attorneys are authorized to wear legal regalia, as stipulated by the Rules of Professional Conduct.
Live with Purpose, Love with Passion. Remember to be happy
One 
Rose Ajieh
