Supreme Court Circular NG: No Criminalisation for Using Barrister Title

• The Supreme Court of Nigeria issued a circular prohibiting 'Barrister' as a prefix in official records.
• Senior Advocate Dr Monday Onyekachi Ubani clarified that the directive only applies to official records, not social usage or client communications.
• The circular is part of an effort to standardize and streamline title usage in official documents within the court's jurisdiction.

Lawyers should be aware that the Supreme Court's circular only prohibits the use of 'Barrister' as a prefix in official records, not in social usage or client communications.

The Supreme Court of Nigeria recently issued a circular prohibiting the use of the title 'Barrister' as a prefix to names in official records. However, this directive has been misinterpreted by some as creating a general prohibition on using the term 'Barrister' in all contexts. The Chief Registrar's memorandum was intended to standardize the usage of titles in official documents and communications within the court's jurisdiction.

Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Dr Monday Onyekachi Ubani has clarified that the directive only applies to official records, not social usage or client communications.

The Supreme Court's circular is part of a broader effort to standardize and streamline the use of titles in official documents. In Nigeria, lawyers are entitled to use various titles such as 'Barrister', 'Solicitor', or 'Counsel'. However, the use of these titles can be confusing, particularly in official records where precision and clarity are essential.

The Chief Registrar's memorandum is aimed at ensuring that all court documents and communications adhere to a uniform standard. This includes the use of prefixes such as 'Barrister' which may not be necessary or relevant in certain contexts.

Lawyers should be aware that the Supreme Court's circular only prohibits the use of 'Barrister' as a prefix in official records, not in social usage or client communications. This distinction is crucial because it affects how lawyers present themselves to clients and the public.

The clarification provided by Dr Ubani SAN highlights the importance of understanding the nuances of the Supreme Court's directive. By recognizing that the circular only applies to official records, lawyers can avoid unnecessary confusion and ensure that they are compliant with the court's requirements.

Lawyers should be aware that the Supreme Court's circular only prohibits the use of 'Barrister' as a prefix in official records, not in social usage or client communications.

Source: Original reporting via TheNigeriaLawyer