CJN bars lawyers from using ‘Barrister’ title in official correspondence

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has issued a directive barring legal practitioners in the country from using the title 'Barrister' as a prefix in all official correspondence. This move aims to enforce professional standards and ensure consistency within the nation's legal system, particularly at the Supreme Court.

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The word ‘Barrister’ as a title has become very common, particularly among our political colleagues who want everybody to know they are lawyers, though not in active practice, by introducing themselves with the title ‘Barrister’ before their name.

A memo dated July 13 and signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi, explicitly stated that the use of 'Barrister' as a prefix is inappropriate and inconsistent with the expected professionalism within the apex court. Consequently, all litigation staff, legal practitioners, and court registrars are instructed to immediately cease using the title in official correspondence, records, documents, identity materials, and any other official engagements.

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This is very wrong and unprofessional. A lawyer can address himself with his name but not ‘Barrister’ before the name.

The directive also mandates heads of departments and unit heads across all tiers of courts in Nigeria to ensure strict compliance. This measure follows previous concerns raised by the Body of Benchers, through its Chairman, HRM Albert Akpomuje, SAN. The legal body had expressed alarm over the perceived abusive use of the 'Barrister' title, noting its prevalence among lawyers, particularly those in politics, who use it to emphasize their legal background even when not actively practicing.

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It is only in this country that we see some practitioners use ‘Barrister’ as a title before the name of a lawyer.

The Body of Benchers had previously described this practice as "very wrong and unprofessional," highlighting that it is uncommon in other jurisdictions for lawyers to use 'Barrister' as a formal title before their names. The directive from the CJN seeks to standardize professional conduct and eliminate this perceived unprofessionalism in official legal communications.

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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.