The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has barred legal practitioners in the country from using the title “Barrister” as a prefix to their names in all official correspondence.
In a memo dated July 13 and signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi, the CJN described the use of such a title by lawyers as inappropriate and inconsistent with the standards of professionalism expected within the apex court.
She directed all litigation staff, legal practitioners, and court registrars to discontinue the use of the title in official correspondence, records, documents, identity materials, and other official engagements with immediate effect.
The CJN also instructed heads of departments and unit heads in all tiers of courts in the country to ensure strict compliance with the directive.
“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 memo further read.
This directive comes after the Body of Benchers, through its Chairman, HRM Albert Akpomuje, SAN, expressed concerns over the abusive use of the ‘Barrister’ title by lawyers.
“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.
“This is very wrong and unprofessional. A lawyer can address himself with his name but not ‘Barrister’ before the name.
“It is only in this country that we see some practitioners use ‘Barrister’ as a title before the name of a lawyer,” the legal body stated during a Call-to-Bar ceremony held in Abuja recently.