The Supreme Court of Nigeria has directed legal practitioners, litigation staff, court registrars and other personnel to stop using the title “Barrister” as a prefix to their names in all official dealings with the apex court.
The directive was contained in a memorandum issued by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir E. Akanbi, on the instruction of the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
The circular, dated July 13, 2026, was addressed to all litigation staff, legal practitioners, court registrars and lawyers and titled, “Prohibition of the Use of the Title ‘Barrister’ as a Prefix to Names.”
According to the memorandum, the continued use of the title before names is inconsistent with the level of professionalism expected within 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 read.
The apex court directed that the practice be discontinued with immediate effect across all official communications and documentation.
“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,”
“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 memorandum said.
While the memorandum does not prevent legal practitioners from describing themselves as barristers in academic, professional or general contexts, it specifically prohibits the use of “Barrister” as a title prefix in all official correspondence, records, identity materials and other engagements with the Supreme Court.