In all footnotes that contain more than one source following a single signal, you must check the citations according to the order of authorities chart in the bluebook rule 1. The bluebook is the most commonly used system for legal citations in the united states, especially for legal scholarship, but also with modifications by local rules in judicial opinions and party briefs. As adverbs the difference between infra and supra is that infra is legal used to refer to something discussed later while supra is legal used to indicate that the current citation is from the same source as the previous one. Likewise, see infra note 46 means to look at note 46 below. For more than two authors, editors or translators write the name of the author, editor.
Because some segments of the legal community were anxious to see what changes the bluebook editors would implement. Excessively long footnotes are probably better handled in an appendix. The term infra is legal shorthand to indicate that a particular reference will be further discussed or cited later in a document. For a citation directly to a footnote, give the page number on which the note begins, the abbreviation n. Note that periods, rather than parenthesis, are used when referring to subsections and subsubsections. For more information on citing jurisprudence, see chapter 3 of the mcgill guide. Mclaughlin, infra, meaning the exact citation of the case, including volume and page number, will follow later in the document. Members of this profession really, really like rules, especially rules about proper english grammar and usage. This is a proposed citation style to adapt the bluebook to the unique needs of wikipedia. Infra is distinguished from supra which shows that a case has already been cited above. Always check the blue pages in the back of the bluebook table 1 to. Part i of the slatebook modifies and adds to the bluebooks rules.
In law, a citation or introductory signal is a set of phrases or words used to clarify the authority or significance of a legal citation as it relates to a proposition. For works that would be difficult to cite using the supra form, or for which the short form would be confusing, a shortened form using hereinafter can be indicated in brackets at the end of the original citation. Infra refers to material that appears later in the document, but never for books see r15. See is probably the most frequently used and abused introductory signal. Supra refers to material already in the piece, and infra to material appearing later in the piece. Blue pages first section of rules for practitioners, organized as. Typeface conventions bluebook legal citation tarlton. See task force, supra note 4, at 590 the bluebook sic is the overwhelming source of authority for legal citation form in academe. Infra definition, below, especially when used in referring to parts of a text. Bluebook citation for llm students bluebook citation for.
Footnote numbers or symbols in the text must follow, rather than precede, punctuation. You can use shortform case or statute references in footnotes as well as in text. You have to do the same thing in the supra footnote. You can combine this with other signals such as see. Generally, citation rules are all a bit weird since the aim is to represent a resource in as. Free in two different ways that are equally important.
The bluebook also has citation rules for legal memoranda and other practiceoriented materials the blue pages, which students in. In my experience, few things strike more fear into the hearts of legal support staff than having to put out a brief with a. Considering that the uniform system of citation has become a basic piece of infrastructure for. Perhaps you should avoid giving out citation advice when you do not understand the blue book.
References to these authorities will direct you to specific rules for additional information and examples. For help with other source types, like books, pdfs, or websites, check out our other guides. Times or closest comparable font available, they should be single spaced, and there should be a footnote separator rule line. Its the one legal professionspecific feature in microsoft word. Pink text information that you will need to find from. 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. Infra is distinguished from supra, which shows that a case has already been cited above. Portions of text, footnotes, and groups of authorities within the piece are cited with supra or infra. Here, we will provide some bluebook 20th edition examples of formatting for legal and academic documents. First, the indigo book is given to you free of charge. 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.
When cases are parts of citation clauses in footnotes, they should not be italicized. Citations generally, follow the bluebook system of citation. Infra notes 3638 and see accompanying text refer to the same below footnotes number 36 to 38 and read the text of the footnotes. Is legal citation shorthand referring to the last cited source. It is used when the cited authority clearly supports a proposition but there is an inferential step between the proposition as stated and the cited authority. The anxiety of a jthority absence, a rather impressive literature 8. Generations of law students, lawyers, scholars, judges, and other legal professionals have relied on the bluebooks unique system of citation in their writing. Infra is also used in books, articles, and cases to refer the reader to later pages, sections, or footnotes of the text. Signals are used in front of citations to alert the reader as to how that citation is being used. Although not a catchall signal, it is often inappropriately used as such. Although it is intended to highlight the bluebook, and not substitute for it, we hope this guide provides a convenient, delawarespecific resource for the superior courts judicial officers, law clerks, interns, externs, and staff. Infra note 75 refer to the same beneath footnote number 75. 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.
Indian nations see navajo nation and oklahoma native americans informal opinions on professional responsibility, r12. The following information regarding the bluebook citation format is an adapted version of the style and for. Aug 23, 2019 generally, intext references are used for memoranda and facta while footnotes are used for other legal writing. Short form for periodicals introduction to the bluebook. In the immediately preceding footnote when that footnote references only one authority. But many treatises now like mine are looseleaf, and now and then over the years, chapters are moved from one volume to another in order to even out the size of pages in a volume. State, infra, it means that the exact citation of the case, including volume and page number, will follow later in the document. Note that the citations are for illustration purposes only and do not cover the nuances of each rule. Legal writers use citation signals to tell readers how the citations support or do not support their.
Table of authorities the ultimate guide legal office guru. The footnote number should appear after the final punctuation of the quotation. Please apply these vlr conventions to every piece that you edit. What are the rules for using see and see also in footnotes. Thus, see supra note 3 refers you to footnote 3 above i. We often reedit thesis that has been proofread by other proofreading websites. The blue book style is based on an antiquated style of a multivolume treatise of hardbound volumes. Signals indicating that the cited work is supportive of the authors text are the most commonly used type of signal.
The bluebook system, however, is subject to the exceptions set forth in this manual. Deconstruction, the footnote, and a uniform system of citation. The indigo book offers a couple of important advantages to users, compared with the bluebook. Bruce ackerman, robert borks grand inquisition, 99 y ale l. Here are a few examples to illustrate support my statement. For example, do i really have to cite the publication date of the bound code volume when i cite a federal statute. Note and part refer to footnotes and parts when parts are specifically designed in the same piece. Llewellyn on how to write law materials for the yale law journal whatever the origin, however, today the bluebook is used by the majority of u.
Recent studies, however, argue that the style was born in yale with the publication of karl n. To have your reference list or bibliography automatically made for you, try our free citation generator. University of chicago manual of legal citation, known as the maroonbook. The first citation of any case or other authority should be the only one marked with a long citation see the gupta illustration just above for an example of that ta code. The first citation here directly supports the statement and the accord signal and second citation.
Scan your paper for grammar mistakes and catch unintentional plagiarism. Effective january 1, 2008, however, california rule of court, rule 1. Do not use a signal with a citation when you have directly borrowed someone elses words or have paraphrased her words or ideas. For an explanation of unconventional signals you really should see now infra notes 1, 121125 and accom panying text. All citations must include a pin cite, unless the citation is merely providing.
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. Bluebook citation for llm students harvard library research guides. With that in mind, here is a list of some of the more obscure bluebook rules. Basic layout bluebook 101 library guides at university. Include the full citation to the case immediately after the relevant text. The signal accord comes after another citation that supports the proposition. Author guidelines thank you for agreeing to contribute to this section newsletter or journal, published by the new york state bar association.
In some procedural documents, citations can be made in a citation sentence or a citation clause. Statute was cited win the previous 5 footnotes, so drop the date. The bluebook is the most commonly used system for legal citations in the united states, especially for legal scholarship, but also with modifications by local rules in judicial opinions and party briefs this proposal covers citations to united states legal materialsu. And, judging from some of the requests i receive from my newsletter readers, its also one of the most intimidating. Supra and hereinafter have special rules for their use. As it has already been mentioned, the bluebook style guide is now in its 20th edition and has dedicated sections for different types of documents. Thus, an infra will refer to page numbers, parts or footnotes. For citing books, if the number of authors is more than three, it is more preferable. Weird bluebook rules bluebook citations libguides at william s. Legal citation, the bluebook, and the anxiety of authority. Supra notes 1627 refer to the same footnotes from number 16 to 27. For example, several cases following a see signal must be placed in order according to court, chronology, and sometimes alphabetically.
And voila your citation is generated and ready to be used. Authors are responsible for the content of their articles, including the accuracy and format of citations and web site addresses. Blue pages this guide covers the bluebooks white pages, which provide citation rules for academic papers. This section provides a brief guide to frequently used bluebook citation rules and sets out several exceptions. If both, then first write editors name and then translators name.
Cases in footnotes should be italicized when they are grammatically part of the sentence. When possible, provide at least two sources in your citation to make sure that information is appropriately identified and accessible to other users. Most proofreaders fail to comply with the oscola or the blue book when checking your referencingbecause it is tricky and timeconsumingand thus your thesis will not likely proceed to an oral examination until those errors are corrected. Second, in footnotes, there is never a reason to point the court to the first footnote citing the authority. Law school bluebook basics one of the books that all 1l law students are required to purchase is the bluebook. If supra would be cumbersome or confusing, use hereinafter with the full cite to establish a. Unlike the remainder of the bluebook, which is designed in a style and at a level of complexity commensurate with the needs of the law journal publication process, the bluepages provide easytocomprehend guidance for the everyday citation needs of firstyear law. Citation format examples for footnotes general rules times new roman, size 10, 1 line spacing, justified. Blue pages are mostly used in briefs, motions, memoranda, and opinions. It is used in citations to present authorities and indicate how those authorities relate to propositions in statements. If you plan to refer to this case later, provide the reader with a short form in brackets. Order of authorities pages, paragraphs, and pincites. Supra refers to material that has already appeared in the document and it has its own rule at 4.
A uniform system of citation, 19th edition hbb and the chicago manual of style 6th ed. Chicago manual of style 16th edition full note american psychological association 6th edition. In case of citing a book that has been edited, write ed. This is a probably a horribly stupid question apologies in advance, but i want to make sure i got it right. But see is used when the citation clearly supports a proposition contradictory to the textual assertion, and. Or, if you really want to toss in a latin word, a simple supra after the short name signals a second reference, and the table of authorities will list the. Pages, paragraphs, and pincites bluebook legal citation. Proper citation format for louisiana cases all louisiana cases should be cited only to the southern reporter series, if available. Contra is used whenever the cited authority directly states a contradictory proposition and so is essentially the contradictory form of no signal.