A controversy has emerged within Nigeria’s legal profession over the recognition of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) title and the newly introduced Senior Counsel of Nigeria (SCN), popularly known as “Blue Silk.”
The dispute followed the conferment of the Senior Counsel of Nigeria title on Chief Ebele Nwokoye, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
The new title was introduced as an alternative to the SAN rank, particularly for lawyers whose practices are focused on non-litigation areas.
The Nigerian Bar Association has, however, rejected the new title, describing it as illegal. The NBA also warned that lawyers who adopt or use the title could face disciplinary action.
The Senior Counsel of Nigeria initiative is being promoted by the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners, which argues that the new rank is designed to recognise lawyers with significant experience outside courtroom litigation.
The Body of Senior Counsel of Nigeria (BOSCON) is responsible for conferring the Blue Silk title on qualified applicants.
Under the stated requirements, applicants must have at least 10 years of post-call legal practice and must be able to provide evidence of no fewer than 35 verifiable non-litigation transactions.
The development has generated debate among members of the Nigerian legal profession over the legality, recognition and place of the new title alongside the established SAN rank.
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