SAN Vs. Lawyer: Understanding Nigeria’s Legal Hierarchy
Why a SAN Is Not the Same as a Lawyer
IN Nigeria, people often assume that any lawyer in a wig and gown sits at the same professional level. But within the legal profession, there is a hierarchy — and at the top stands the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), a rank reserved for the most accomplished legal minds in the country.
Every SAN is a lawyer, but not every lawyer becomes a SAN.
The Lawyer: The Foundation of the Profession
A lawyer is anyone who has completed law school, passed the Bar exam, and has been formally called to the Nigerian Bar. With this qualification, a lawyer can:
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Appear in court
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Draft contracts and legal documents
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Advise clients
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Handle civil and criminal matters
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Represent individuals, companies, and institutions
Lawyers form the backbone of Nigeria’s legal system — they argue cases, interpret laws, and protect rights daily across Magistrate, High, and Federal Courts.
But while every lawyer is trained to practice law, there is a higher rank reserved for those who demonstrate extraordinary mastery.
The SAN: The Peak of Legal Excellence
The title Senior Advocate of Nigeria is the highest honour a courtroom advocate can earn. It is the legal equivalent of becoming a Professor in academia — same field, but an exceptional distinction.
A lawyer seeking SAN must demonstrate:
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10–15 years of active, consistent practice
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Proven success in major cases before superior courts
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Strong, influential legal briefs and arguments
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Major contributions to jurisprudence and legal development
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Impeccable professional ethics
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Outstanding courtroom advocacy
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Approval from the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) after an intense, multi-stage screening
Only a small number of lawyers nationwide receive the rank each year. It cannot be bought, influenced, or politically negotiated — it must be earned.
Key Differences Between a Lawyer and a SAN
1. Complexity of Cases
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Lawyer: Handles general or simple matters.
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SAN: Takes on the most complex, high-stakes, and precedent-setting cases — though lawyers can also handle complex matters depending on experience.
2. Courtroom Authority
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Lawyer: Argues based on skill and preparation.
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SAN: Argues with decades of mastery, recognized expertise, and deep jurisprudential influence.
3. Seating Position in Court
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Lawyer: Stands at the Inner Bar with other practitioners.
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SAN: Occupies the prestigious Outer Bar, the front row reserved for senior advocates.
4. Leadership in Cases
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Lawyer: Can lead a legal team.
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SAN: Automatically becomes Lead Counsel whenever they join a case — by law, they have professional precedence.
This is not about pride; it is about hierarchy, experience, and respect for excellence.
A Rank, Not a Different Profession
A SAN is still a lawyer — just one who has reached the summit of courtroom advocacy. Every SAN began as a regular lawyer. But only a fraction of lawyers will ever attain the rank.
The distinction matters because it reflects the structure, discipline, and merit that underpin Nigeria’s legal system.
