CJN’s ban on ‘Barrister’ title, replacement with ‘Esquire’ not backed by law – Nigerian Law Society
Nigerian Law Society Critiques Chief Justice’s Directive on Legal Titles
The Nigerian Law Society (NLS) has announced its opposition to a recent directive from Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, which mandates the replacement of the title “Barrister” with “Esquire” for legal practitioners. The NLS contends that this directive lacks statutory basis.
In a memo dated July 13, 2026, and signed by Chief Registrar Kabir Akanbi, the CJN instructed lawyers and court officials to refrain from using “Barrister” in official proceedings at the Supreme Court. The memo described this action as part of ongoing efforts to uphold professional standards within the judiciary.
Dr. Tonye Clinton Jaja, Executive Director of NLS, stated that the Legal Practitioners Act of 1962 recognizes both “Barrister” and “Solicitor” as valid titles for Nigerian lawyers who have been admitted to the Bar. He added that the suggestion to use “Esquire” fails to fully encompass the legal professional’s role.
“The title ‘Barrister’ provides a complete representation of a lawyer’s designation. The proposed alternatives, including “Esquire,” lack recognition in the Legal Practitioners Act,” Jaja asserted. He noted that neither the CJN nor the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) holds the authority to impose titles outside the provisions of the Act.
Moreover, the NLS criticized both the LPPC and Justice James Omotosho of the Abuja Federal High Court for declaring the rank of Senior Counsel of Nigeria (SCN) not to be recognized because it is absent from the Legal Practitioners Act. Jaja argued that this stance is contradictory, highlighting how the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) is specifically mentioned in the Act, while the SCN designation is not.
Jaja pointed out that the lack of statutory backing for the SCN does not negate its validity, especially since the title has gained recognition through guidelines established in accordance with the Nigerian Constitution and other legislative frameworks.
Further, Jaja challenged the CJN’s rationale, noting that the rank of King’s Counsel (KC), inherited and modified as SAN in Nigeria, has no formal legislative backing. This title, which dates back to the 1500s, originated from British tradition and has remained in use without statutory foundation.
The NLS maintains that titles utilized by legal practitioners do not need to be established explicitly by law and defended the SCN designation as a legitimate title bestowed by professional bodies. As the debate continues, the NLS calls for adherence to the established legal framework while promoting the integrity of the profession.
