The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has ordered legal practitioners to stop using the title “Barrister” as a prefix to their names in all official engagements.
TheNewsGuru reports that the CJN gave the directive on Friday, July 31st, in a memo signed by Kabir Akanbi, Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, addressed to litigation staff, legal practitioners, court registrars, and lawyers.
According to the memo, the CJN described the practice as inconsistent with the standards of professionalism expected within the apex court.
“I am directed by the Honourable 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 memo reads.
The CJN told all affected officers to stop using the title in official correspondence, records, documents, identity materials, and other official activities right away.
She also told department and unit heads to make sure that officers they supervise follow the directive closely.
“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 added.