Supreme Court standardises legal titles, drops “Barrister” prefix in official documents.

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has directed lawyers, court registrars, litigation staff, and other legal practitioners to stop using the title “Barrister” as a prefix to their names in all official correspondence and engagements with the apex court.

The directive was conveyed through an internal memorandum dated July 13, 2026, and signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir E. Akanbi, on the instruction of the Chief Justice of Nigeria. The move is aimed at standardising professional titles and ensuring consistency in official judicial communications.
Titled “Prohibition of the Use of the Title ‘Barrister’ as a Prefix to Names,” the circular was addressed to legal practitioners, litigation staff, court registrars, and other lawyers dealing with the Supreme Court. According to the memo, the continued use of the title as a prefix does not conform to the professional standards expected within the apex court.
The circular stated that the Chief Justice had directed all affected persons to discontinue the practice with immediate effect. It reads in part: “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 court further directed that the title should no longer appear in official correspondence, court records, legal documents, identity materials, or any other official engagement with the Supreme Court. It also instructed heads of departments and unit heads to ensure full compliance by officers under their supervision.
However, the directive applies only to official interactions with the Supreme Court and does not prevent legal practitioners from identifying themselves as barristers in academic, professional, or other settings outside the court’s official communications.