CJN bars lawyers from using 'Barrister' as a title

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has issued a directive prohibiting lawyers from using the title 'Barrister' before their names. This practice, described as inappropriate and unprofessional, is to be discontinued immediately in all official capacities.

The circular, dated July 13 and signed by the Supreme Court's Chief Registrar, Kabir Akanbi, was made public on Friday. It specifically instructs litigation staff, legal practitioners, court registrars, and lawyers to cease using 'Barrister' in official correspondence, records, documents, identity materials, and any other official engagements. The directive emphasizes that the use of the title is inconsistent with the expected professionalism within the Supreme Court.

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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.

Heads of Departments and Unit Heads are tasked with ensuring strict compliance among their supervised officers. The directive aims to standardize professional conduct and eliminate a long-standing, though unofficially recognized, practice in Nigeria's legal profession. While 'barrister' in Britain denotes a specific branch of the legal profession, Nigeria operates a fused system where lawyers can act as both barristers and solicitors.

The use of 'Barrister' as a courtesy title has been popular in Nigeria for decades, with authorities previously overlooking the practice. The circular clarifies that the term 'barrister' itself does not serve as an official title in any country where lawyers practice as such. Lawyers also commonly use the postnominal 'Esq.' (Esquire), which has also been widely adopted as an exclusive title for legal practitioners, regardless of its broader meaning.

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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.