Senior Advocates of Nigeria have unanimously backed the Supreme Court’s directive prohibiting lawyers from using the title ‘Barrister’ as a prefix to their names in official communications, describing the move as a reaffirmation of an existing legal and professional standard rather than the introduction of a new rule.
The directive, contained in a memorandum dated July 13, 2026, was issued by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir E. Akanbi, on the instruction of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
The circular directed litigation staff, legal practitioners, court registrars and lawyers to discontinue the use of the title ‘Barrister’ before their names in all official correspondence, records, documents, identity materials and other official engagements with immediate effect.
It stated that the use of the title as a prefix is inappropriate and inconsistent with the standards of professionalism expected within the Supreme Court.
Heads of departments and unit
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