Bluebook citation for llm students harvard library research guides. A citation informs the reader where the writer obtained. California style manual for many years, the california style manual has served as the official guide for styling citations to legal materials in documents filed with state courts in california. For the most part, when one begins to cite uncommon resources or laws that are far. The first nine rules of the bluebook are general rules covering such topics are introductory signals, quotations, and citations to subparts such as sections, paragraphs, or pages. These rules are general because they can apply in any given citation. Below you will see examples of bluebook citations for various common authority types. The bluebook is not comprehensive for citing laws everywhere. As men of law rely upon a great number of various sources, legal citation also covers the usage of signals that present citations and explain. The bluebook also has citation rules for legal memoranda and other practiceoriented materials the blue pages, which students in lrwa2 use for their memo assignments. Published biennially, the wisconsin blue book is a valuable source for information about the state of wisconsin.
Cases bluebook legal citation tarlton law library at tarlton law. Keep in mind the typeface differences between academic documents and non academic legal documents. This guide provides answers specifically to questions about the citation rules in the white pages, not the blue pages. The indigo book, formerly called baby blue, is available online without charge in pdf or html. But see is used for authority that, while not directly contradicting the main proposition, nonetheless clearly opposes it. Eventually, the online format will allow the bluebooks citation rules to adjust quickly to citation issues raised by the growing importance of online legal research. The bluebook is an example of absolute efficiency in the formulation and expression of the rules of legal citation. First published in 1853 as a manual for legislators, the blue book has evolved into a useful tool for the states residents, as well as a historical record of wisconsin state government. Pointbypoint, it is linked to the free citation guide, the indigo book. The central function of a legal citation is to allow the reader to efficiently locate the cited source. Unless your professor tells you otherwise, your assignments for legal research and legal writing will follow the bluepages. Bluebook rule 10 covers how cases should be cited in legal documents.
Numbered volumes are cited in arabic numerals 1,2,3, not roman numerals. In court documents briefs, motions and legal memoranda, a full case name is usually italicized or underlined. A reference guide for attorneys, legal secretaries, paralegals, and law students this link opens in a new window citechecker. Generally, citation rules are all a bit weird since the aim is to represent a resource in as small a space as possible. Always consult the bluebook for additional information. Citing cases bluebook guide guides at georgetown law library. The tarlton law librarys physical facility is closed until further notice. However, the following are rules and examples for other types of legal documents that many firstyear law students may need to cite in addition to cases and statutes. A uniform system of citation 20th edition 0692400192 892559837x 9788925598376 9780692400197 by hlr clr jan 1, 2015. The bluebook, is the definitive style guide for legal citation in the united states.
A uniform system of citation, a style guide, prescribes the most widely used legal citation system in the united states. The bluebook contains rules that prescribe how to cite a variety of legal documents. The bluebook style guide is used in the american legal profession for citation of all relevant sources. A citation to a judicial opinion is typically referred to as a case or court case citation. In a diverse and rapidly changing legal profession, the bluebook continues to provide a systematic method by which members of the profession communicate important information to one another about the sources and legal authorities upon. The white pages in the center of the bluebook provide detailed citation formats for academic legal writing. Few books cause law students as much dread, pain, anger, and frustration as the bluebook the bluebook, formally titled the bluebook. The bluebook is the resource all attorneys and legal scholars use to properly cite and format legal documents. Additionally, the chicago manual of style recommends its use for all citation of legal material. Where the bluepages and local court rules are silent regarding the citation of a particular document, you may use the other rules in the bluebook, referred to as the whitepages, to supplement the bluepages. In academic writing, the author and title are in small caps and the subject e.
Since 2008, california rules of court have allowed citations in bluebook form as well as the states own style. Examples of common citations in whitepage format, with references to the relevant rules. Bluepages bluebook guide libguides at university of illinois law. The rules in the bluepages are usually abbreviated using the letter b. The bluebook legal citation guide now available online. Bluepages bluebook guide libguides at university of. In legal writing, one of the most commonly cited types of sources are judicial opinions.
Hopefully, we are communicating with others who speak our citation language. Many of the complicated variations on rules are not shown in these samples. Regardless of the citation style used, you should ensure that your citations are formatted consistently in accordance with the rules of the citation style selected as well as any local rules in your jurisdiction that may apply. Page 1 of the bluebook reminds you that the central function of legal citation is to help your reader find the source. Follow the rules of the bluebook andor alwd for formulating a case name in a citation. Law school bluebook basics one of the books that all 1l law students are required to purchase is the bluebook. Generations of law students, lawyers, scholars, judges, and other legal professionals have relied on the bluebooks unique system of citation in their writing. The guide takes account of the latest editions of the alwd guide to legal citation 2017, the bluebook. It is now in its 20th edition, more than an inch thick, and consists of over 500 pages of guidance on legal citation.
In this course, students will be expected to follow the rules of legal citation set forth in the bluebook. Bluebook citation hamline university school of law. Citation format examples for footnotes general rules times new roman, size 10, 1 line spacing, justified. This book is a reference guide that, believe it or not, will be just about the only book you take from law school into your practice as a lawyer. History of bluebook the development of the bluebook from its inception in 1926 as a twentysixpage pamphlet. Bluebook citation for legal materials purdue writing lab. In this bluebook cheat sheet, weve laid out the essential bluebook elements and bluebook examples for a few of the most common types of case citations. Bluebook citation for llm students bluebook citation for. Blue pages, rule b10 or apply the citation rules of the jurisdiction. Citing cases bluebook guide guides at georgetown law. Weird bluebook rules bluebook citations libguides at. This manual provides a rule only where the practice. The guide takes account of the latest editions of the alwd guide to legal citation 2017, the bluebook, published in 2015, and the supreme courts style guide.
The light blue pages at the beginning of the bluebook provide simplified citation formats for court documents. Abbreviations and examples this libguide contains useful information for legal citation, some of. It provides a system of rules for legal citations so that readers can locate the sources cited. However, the basic format of a case citation is as follows. The indigo bookisnt the same asthe bluebook, but it does implement the same uniform system of citation thatthe bluebookdoes. Common abbreviations legal citation research guides at. The bluebook also has citation rules for legal memoranda and other practice oriented materials the blue pages, which students in lrwa2.
It takes account of the latest edition of the bluebook, published in 2015, and the supreme courts style guide. School of government legal citation and style guide. Home legal citation guides and abbreviations research. The table below provides examples of different internet citation forms. The bluebook requires citation to printed material provided it is available, unless there is an authenticated, official, or exact digital copy of the printed sources. Bluebook table bt2 jurisdictionspecific citation rules and style guidelines might seem to suggest that minnesota courts do have local rules, addressing the citation of certain court rules, that would require changes to the bluebook form citations. This research guide lists citation manuals and dictionaries of legal abbreviations to help you with these tasks. Rules 1021 are specific rules because they cover citation issues related to specific types of authority, jurisdictions, or formats and will only. Internet citation bluebook citation 101 practitioner. Introduction bluebook guide guides at georgetown law.
For generations, law students, lawyers, scholars, judges, and other legal professionals have relied on the bluebooks unique system of citation. As has been true of all editions released since 2010, it is also indexed to the the bluebook and the alwd guide to legal citation. The precise format of a case citation depends on a number of factors, including the jurisdiction, court, and type of case. California specific legal encyclopedia that provides case citations and cross references to other resources. Pages, paragraphs, and pincites bluebook legal citation tarlton. When filing legal documents with a court, court rules of citation apply.
The indigo book a free legal citation guide based on the. There are too many rules for this introductory guide to cover. The scope ofthe indigo books coverage is roughly equivalent tothe bluebooks bluepagesthat is,the indigo bookcovers legal citation for u. Most authors choose to source their legal material using a combination of superscripted foot note indicators in text and belowtherule footnotes containing source information, while a few use an inline citation method see, e. Note that the use of abbreviations in a case name depends on whether the citation.
A uniform system of citation, 18th edition harvard law on. An easytouse guide with clear rules, realworld examples, and reproducible quizzes. Effective january 1, 2008, however, california rule of court, rule 1. The system of citation is code, an algorithm consisting of rules and a set of.
How to cite the amendments in bluebook format legal beagle. Consult court rules for required citation format, usually found in the jurisdictions rules of procedure. Citing secondary sources sample bluebook citations. A uniform system of citation, a style guide, prescribes the most widely used. The following samples cover basic citation format for secondary sources. For example, b1 is the first rule in the bluepages, it starts on page 3 of the bluebook. A uniform system of citation, is the style manual for citing to legal documents within the united states. Bluebook case guide bluebook citation generator legalease. Official code of inforce california state agency rules and regulations.
In thinking of the bluebook, i have been reminded of big blue, the ibm corporation. Bt2 jurisdictionspecific citation rules and style guides. The blue books mission is to furnish the legislature and the public with information on. Cite to the name of the sourcedictionary, page number if pinpoint citing, edition and year. The same style must be used consistently throughout the document. Tarltons librarians and staff remain actively engaged in providing library services. A free alternative to the bluebook legal citation guide is now available.