The Supreme Court of Nigeria has directed all litigation staff, legal practitioners, court registrars and lawyers to immediately stop using the title “Barrister” as a prefix to their names in all official dealings with the apex court.
The directive, contained in an internal memorandum obtained by SaharaReporters on Friday, was issued by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir E. Akanbi, Esq., on the instruction of the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
Dated July 13, 2026, the memorandum 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 circular, the Supreme Court said the continued use of the title before names does not align with the professional standards expected within the country’s highest 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 memorandum stated.
The Apex Court consequently ordered the immediate discontinuation of the title in all official communications and records.
“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 directive added.
The Supreme Court also tasked departmental heads with ensuring full implementation of the new policy across all units.
“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 read.
The development marks a significant administrative directive from the Supreme Court regarding professional designation within Nigeria’s judicial system.
Although the memorandum does not prohibit legal practitioners from describing themselves as barristers in a general or academic context, it specifically bars the use of “Barrister” as a title prefix in official correspondence, records, identity materials and other engagements with the Supreme Court.
