Nigerian Law Society Rejects CJN Directive on Use of Barrister Title

The Nigerian Law Society has rejected a directive by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, asking lawyers to stop using the title “Barrister” and adopt “Esquire” instead. The society argues that the directive has no clear basis in the Legal Practitioners Act, 1962, which recognises “Barrister” and “Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria” as titles for lawyers called to the Nigerian Bar. The directive was contained in a July 13 memo issued by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court and was said to be aimed at promoting professional standards.

Written by News Room