The Supreme Court has announced the prohibition of the use of the title “Barrister” by lawyers, court registrars, and other legal practitioners as a prefix to their names.
It is not unusual nowadays for lawyers and other legal practitioners to describe themselves as Barrister ABC or XYZ when addressing courts or when writing legal documents.
Apparently due to this anomaly, the Supreme Court, in a memo from the Chief Registrar, dated July 13, and addressed to all litigation staff, legal practitioners, court registrars and lawyers, urged them to desist from using such a title.
The memo reads in part: “I am directed by 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 standard of professionalism expected within the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
“Consequently, all officers concerned are hereby directed to continue 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.
