The Nigerian Law Society has rejected a directive by Chief Justice of Nigeria Kudirat Kekere-Ekun ordering lawyers to stop using “Barrister” as a title and adopt “Esquire” instead.
The society said the instruction, contained in a July 13 memo from the Supreme Court chief registrar, has no clear basis in existing law.
Executive Director Dr Tonye Jaja noted that the Legal Practitioners Act of 1962 recognises “Barrister” and “Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria” as titles for lawyers called to the Bar.
“Using ‘Barrister’ as a title is a half-truth that leaves out the title of ‘Solicitor’,” Jaja said. He added that “Esquire” or its abbreviation “Esq.” is also not expressly provided for in the legislation.
“The problem with this recommended title of ‘Esquire’, or even other alternatives ‘Barrister-At-Law’ or ‘Attorney-At-Law’ is that they do not appear inside the Legal Practitioners Act, 1962,” he stated.
Jaja argued that neither the chief justice, the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee nor the Nigerian Bar Association could impose requirements on lawyers beyond those contained in the Act.
The society further accused the chief justice and the committee of applying inconsistent standards, particularly in relation to the Senior Counsel of Nigeria title, which is also not listed in the statute.
It described the ban on “Barrister”, a title explicitly mentioned in the law, while permitting alternatives not found in any statute, as contradictory and discriminatory.
