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

The directive was contained in an internal memorandum dated July 13, 2026, and issued by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir E. Akanbi, Esq., on the instruction of the Chief Justice of Nigeria.

The memorandum, titled, “Prohibition of the Use of the Title ‘Barrister’ as a Prefix to Names,” was addressed to all litigation staff, legal practitioners, court registrars and lawyers.

According to the circular, the continued use of “Barrister” before names was considered inconsistent with the professional standards expected at the Supreme Court.

“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,” the memorandum stated.

The apex court consequently ordered the immediate discontinuation of the title in official correspondence, records, documents, identity materials and other official engagements.

“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,” it added.

The directive applies across the relevant departments and units of the Supreme Court, with heads of departments and unit heads mandated to enforce compliance.

“Heads of Departments and Unit Heads are requested to ensure strict compliance with this directive by all officers under their supervision. Please be guided accordingly,” the circular stated.

The directive effectively means that lawyers and other affected personnel dealing officially with the Supreme Court are expected to use their names without the “Barrister” prefix in official correspondence and records.