According to the circular, the Supreme Court said the continued use of the title before names does not align with the professional standards expected within the country's highest court.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has directed all litigation staff, legal practitioners, court registrars and lawyers to immediately stop using the title "Barrister" as a prefix to their names in all official dealings with the apex court.
The directive, contained in an internal memorandum obtained by SaharaReporters on Friday, was issued by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir E. Akanbi, Esq., on the instruction of the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
Dated July 13, 2026, the memorandum was addressed to all litigation staff, legal practitioners, court registrars and lawyers and titled: "Prohibition of the Use of the Title 'Barrister' as a Prefix to Names."
According to the circular, the Supreme Court said the continued use of the title before names does not align with the professional standards expected within the country's highest court.
