The Supreme Court has directed legal practitioners, litigation staff, court registrars and other officers to immediately stop using the title “Barrister” as a prefix to their names in all official correspondence and engagements with the apex court.
The directive, issued on the instruction of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, was conveyed in an internal memorandum dated July 13, 2026, and signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir E. Akanbi.
The circular, addressed to litigation staff, legal practitioners, court registrars and lawyers, described the continued use of the title as inconsistent with the professional standards expected within Nigeria’s highest court.
According to the memorandum, the use of “Barrister” as a prefix to names is considered inappropriate in official communications involving the Supreme Court.
The directive reads in part, “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.”
Consequently, the court ordered that the title be discontinued with immediate effect in all official correspondence, records, documents, identity materials and every other official engagement with the apex court.
The memo further stated, “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.”
To ensure compliance, the Supreme Court directed heads of departments and unit heads to enforce the policy across all divisions under their supervision.
“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 circular added.
The administrative directive represents a notable change in the Supreme Court’s protocol regarding professional designation in official communications.
Although the new policy prohibits the use of “Barrister” as a title prefix in dealings with the Supreme Court, it does not prevent legal practitioners from describing themselves as barristers in academic, professional or general contexts outside official correspondence with the apex court.
The directive is expected to affect lawyers, court officials and litigation personnel handling matters before the Supreme Court, as the court moves to standardise official documentation and reinforce professional standards in its administrative processes.
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