The Bluebook citation system is a crucial tool for legal professionals, providing standardized formats for citing various legal sources. It ensures consistency and clarity in legal documents, enabling efficient communication and source verification. Mastering Bluebook citation is essential for students in Legal Method and Writing courses.
The system covers citations for , , , and . It includes rules for formatting, abbreviations, and signals to guide readers on how cited authorities relate to propositions. Understanding common errors and staying updated on revisions is key to maintaining accurate and professional legal citations.
Overview of Bluebook citation
Bluebook citation system provides standardized legal citation format essential for legal writing and research
Ensures consistency and clarity in legal documents, facilitating efficient communication among legal professionals
Integral part of Legal Method and Writing course, teaching students proper citation techniques for various legal sources
Purpose and importance
Establishes uniform citation standards across legal profession
Enables readers to easily locate and verify cited sources
Enhances credibility of legal arguments by providing proper attribution
Demonstrates adherence to academic integrity and professional ethics in legal writing
Structure and organization
Divided into two main parts Blue Pages (for practitioner documents) and White Pages (for academic writing)
Contains 21 rules covering citation formats for different types of legal authorities
Includes tables and abbreviations for court names, reporters, and jurisdictions
Provides examples and explanations for various citation scenarios
Citation formats
Varies depending on source type (cases, statutes, secondary sources)
Includes elements such as party names, reporter, court, year, and pinpoint citations
Utilizes specific abbreviations and formatting conventions for each source type
Adapts to different citation needs in academic writing vs. legal practice documents
General citation rules
Fundamental principles governing all types of legal citations in Bluebook system
Establishes consistency across different source types and citation formats
Essential knowledge for Legal Method and Writing students to master citation basics
Full citation vs short form
Full citation provides complete source information for first reference
Short form allows for abbreviated subsequent citations to same source
"Id." used for immediately following citations to same source
"Supra" employed for non-consecutive references to previously cited sources
Typeface conventions
Italics used for case names in academic writing (underline in practitioner documents)
Roman type for most other citation elements
Large and for certain elements (volume numbers, book titles)
Specific typeface rules for different parts of citations (party names, court names)
Spacing and punctuation
Single space between citation elements, double space between citations
Periods used to separate citation components (except before parenthetical information)
Commas separate multiple authorities within same citation
Semicolons used to separate citations to different authorities
Case law citations
Core component of legal citation system, frequently used in legal writing
Requires precise formatting to accurately identify and locate court decisions
Crucial skill for Legal Method and Writing students to master for effective legal research and writing
Basic case citation format
Includes party names, reporter volume, reporter abbreviation, first page, court, and year
Format: Party v. Party, Volume Reporter First Page (Court Year)
Example Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483 (1954)
Pinpoint citations added after first to reference specific pages
Parallel citations
Used when case is reported in multiple sources
Primary citation followed by parallel citation(s) in parentheses
Format Primary Citation (Parallel Citation)
Regional reporters often used for parallel citations of state
Subsequent history
Indicates later proceedings or dispositions of the same case
Uses abbreviations like "aff'd" (affirmed), "rev'd" (reversed), or "cert. denied" (certiorari denied)
Subsequent history separated from main citation by comma
Omit subsequent history that does not substantially affect weight of case
Statutory citations
Essential for citing federal and state legislation in legal documents
Requires understanding of different citation formats for various statutory sources
Vital knowledge for Legal Method and Writing students working with
Federal statutes
United States Code () is the primary source for federal statutory citations
Format Title U.S.C. § Section (Year)
Example 42 U.S.C. § 1983 (2018)
Include year of most recent edition or supplement consulted
State statutes
Citation format varies by state, often following similar structure to federal statutes
Typically includes state code name, section number, and year
Example Cal. Penal Code § 422 (West 2019)
Consult Bluebook Table T1 for specific state statute abbreviations
Session laws
Citations to newly enacted legislation not yet codified
Include name of law, public law number, statutes at large citation, and year
Format Act name, Pub. L. No. ##-###, ## Stat. ### (year)
Used for recent legislation or historical research purposes
Secondary source citations
Covers non-primary legal authorities frequently used in legal writing and research
Includes academic works, practice guides, and other supplementary materials
Important for Legal Method and Writing students to understand proper citation of supporting sources
Books and treatises
Format Author, Title ## (edition year)
Include specific page or section numbers for pinpoint citations
Example Richard A. Posner, Economic Analysis of Law 237 (9th ed. 2014)
Institutional authors treated differently from individual authors
Law review articles
Format Author, Article Title, Volume Journal Name First Page, Pinpoint Page (Year)
Example Cass R. Sunstein, Beyond the Precautionary Principle, 151 U. Pa. L. Rev. 1003, 1018 (2003)
Use standard abbreviations for journal names found in Bluebook Table T13
Newspapers and magazines
Format Author, Article Title, Newspaper Name, Month Day, Year, at Page
Online articles include URL and date accessed if no print version available
Example Adam Liptak, Supreme Court Tie Blocks Obama Immigration Plan, N.Y. Times, June 23, 2016, at A1
Magazines follow similar format with volume and issue numbers when applicable
Electronic source citations
Addresses citation of digital and online sources increasingly used in legal research
Requires understanding of evolving citation practices for electronic materials
Critical knowledge for Legal Method and Writing students in the digital age
Internet sources
Include as much information as possible author, title, source, URL, and date accessed
Format Author, Title, Source (Date), URL
Perma.cc links recommended for preserving web content
Include date and time for frequently updated websites
Electronic databases
Citation format varies depending on database (Westlaw, LexisNexis, Bloomberg Law)
Include database identifier and date accessed
Format similar to print source with addition of database information
Example United States v. Jones, 565 U.S. 400 (2012), 2012 WL 171117 (Westlaw)
Social media
Cite to specific posts or tweets using platform-specific citation formats
"E.g.," used for examples when many authorities support proposition
"Cf." compares or contrasts cited authority with main proposition
"But see" introduces authority that directly contradicts proposition
Explanatory parentheticals
Provide brief explanation of relevance or content of cited source
Follow citation and begin with present participle (explaining, holding, arguing)
Should be concise and directly related to the proposition
Example Smith v. Jones, 123 456, 789 (9th Cir. 1997) (holding that...)
Order of authorities
Arrange citations in order of importance or relevance to proposition
Group authorities under same signal, separate groups with semicolons
Order within groups constitutions, statutes, cases, secondary sources
Alphabetize or use reverse chronological order for sources of equal weight
Quotations and alterations
Addresses proper use and formatting of direct quotations in legal writing
Ensures accurate representation of cited material while allowing necessary modifications
Important skill for Legal Method and Writing students to maintain integrity of sources
Block quotes
Used for quotations of 50 words or more
Indented on both sides, single-spaced, no quotation marks
Citation follows after final punctuation of block quote
Introduce block quotes with colon unless quotation forms grammatical part of sentence
Omissions and ellipses
Use ellipsis (...) to indicate omitted material within quotation
Three periods for omissions within a sentence, four for omissions between sentences
No ellipsis needed at beginning or end of quoted material
Ensure omissions do not change meaning of quoted text
Alterations and brackets
Use brackets [ ] to indicate changes or additions to quoted text
Capitalize first letter of quotation in brackets if beginning of sentence changed
Use [sic] to indicate error in original text
Explain significant alterations in parenthetical after citation
Tables and abbreviations
Provides standardized abbreviations for various legal terms and sources
Ensures consistency and brevity in citations across legal documents
Essential reference for Legal Method and Writing students to correctly format citations
Court name abbreviations
Found in Bluebook Table T7
Use standard abbreviations for federal and state courts
Example "S. Ct." for Supreme Court, "9th Cir." for Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
Spell out court names in full in textual sentences
Reporter abbreviations
Listed in Bluebook Table T1 (for federal materials) and T10 (for state materials)
Use standard abbreviations for official and unofficial reporters
Example "U.S." for United States Reports, "F.3d" for Federal Reporter, Third Series
Include space between and reporter abbreviation
Jurisdiction abbreviations
Found in Bluebook Table T10
Use for state court citations and statutory references
Example "Cal." for California, "N.Y." for New York
Typically used in parenthetical information for court and year
Bluebook vs other citation systems
Compares Bluebook to alternative legal citation systems
Highlights importance of understanding different citation styles
Relevant for Legal Method and Writing students preparing for diverse legal environments
ALWD citation manual
Alternative to Bluebook used by some law schools and practitioners
Similar overall structure but with some differences in formatting and rules
Designed to be more user-friendly and practice-oriented
Important for students to recognize and adapt to different citation systems
Local citation rules
Many jurisdictions have specific citation rules that may differ from Bluebook
State courts often have their own citation manuals or style guides
Federal courts may have local rules modifying Bluebook standards
Essential for Legal Method and Writing students to research and follow applicable local rules
Common citation errors
Identifies frequent mistakes made in legal citations
Helps Legal Method and Writing students avoid common pitfalls
Improves overall accuracy and professionalism of legal writing
Formatting mistakes
Incorrect use of italics or underlining for case names
Improper spacing between citation elements
Misplaced or omitted punctuation in citations
Inconsistent capitalization of party names or titles
Incorrect abbreviations
Using non-standard abbreviations for court names or reporters
Misspelling or misusing jurisdiction abbreviations
Failing to abbreviate words that should be shortened
Incorrectly abbreviating months or journal names
Improper use of signals
Misusing or omitting appropriate introductory signals
Incorrect ordering of authorities under signals
Failing to provide explanatory parentheticals when needed
Overuse of certain signals (e.g., excessive use of "see")
Bluebook updates and revisions
Addresses ongoing changes and improvements to Bluebook citation system
Emphasizes importance of staying current with citation rules
Relevant for Legal Method and Writing students to understand evolving nature of legal citation
Recent changes
21st edition released in 2020 with updates to various rules and tables
Increased focus on citing electronic and online sources
Modifications to citation formats for certain types of authorities
Changes in abbreviations and formatting conventions
Future developments
Potential for more frequent online updates between print editions
Ongoing discussions about simplifying citation rules
Possible integration of new technologies for citation generation and verification
Continued adaptation to evolving legal research and writing practices
Key Terms to Review (20)
Case law: Case law refers to the body of law created by judicial decisions and interpretations of statutes, which serve as precedents for future cases. It plays a crucial role in shaping legal standards and principles, helping to interpret and apply statutory laws in specific situations.
Court cases: Court cases are legal disputes that are resolved by a judge or jury in a court of law. They involve the application of laws to specific facts and often set precedents that can influence future legal decisions and interpretations. Understanding court cases is crucial for grasping how the judicial system functions and how laws are interpreted and enforced in practice.
Electronic materials: Electronic materials are substances used in the production of electronic components and devices, such as semiconductors, insulators, and conductors. These materials play a critical role in modern technology, forming the backbone of circuits and systems that drive everything from computers to smartphones.
F.3d: The term 'f.3d' refers to the federal reporter series where federal court opinions are published, specifically indicating the third series of the Federal Reporter. This designation is crucial for proper citation and referencing of case law in legal documents, connecting to various citation formats and styles used in legal writing.
Federal Court Citation: Federal court citation refers to the method of referencing legal opinions, decisions, and documents from federal courts in the United States. This citation format is crucial for lawyers, judges, and scholars to accurately identify and locate legal sources. It follows specific conventions outlined in citation manuals like the Bluebook, ensuring consistency and clarity across legal writing.
Italicization: Italicization refers to the typographical emphasis created by slanting text to the right, commonly used in legal writing and citation formats. In the context of citation styles, particularly the Bluebook citation system, italicization plays a vital role in distinguishing certain types of sources and elements within citations, such as case names and titles of legal documents.
Legislative materials: Legislative materials refer to the various documents and resources produced during the legislative process, including bills, amendments, committee reports, and congressional records. These materials are essential for understanding the intent behind laws and how they were developed, providing insight into legislative history and the decision-making process of lawmakers.
Page number: A page number refers to a specific numerical identifier assigned to each page within a document, which helps in organizing and locating information. In the context of citation systems, especially the Bluebook citation system, page numbers are essential for providing precise references to legal documents, cases, statutes, and other sources. Properly citing page numbers allows readers to easily find the exact material being referenced, enhancing the credibility and accuracy of legal writing.
Primary Authority: Primary authority refers to legal sources that have binding effect, such as statutes, regulations, and case law, that courts must follow in legal decisions. This type of authority is essential for understanding the law as it establishes the rules that govern legal practice and interpretation. In contrast to secondary authority, which offers commentary or analysis, primary authority serves as the foundation for legal arguments and judicial decisions.
Rule 10: Rule 10 refers to the citation rule that governs short form citations in legal writing, which is crucial for maintaining clarity and brevity when referencing sources. It establishes guidelines on how to properly abbreviate citations after the full citation has been provided, allowing readers to easily follow the legal references without overwhelming them with lengthy footnotes or endnotes. This rule connects closely with the Bluebook citation system and the ALWD citation manual, both of which provide detailed structures for how legal documents should be formatted and cited.
Rule 12: Rule 12 is a provision within the Bluebook citation system that outlines how to cite cases and statutes in legal writing. It provides specific guidelines for formatting citations to court cases, ensuring that legal documents maintain consistency and clarity. Understanding Rule 12 is essential for accurately referencing legal authorities in various contexts, which is crucial for effective legal communication.
Secondary Authority: Secondary authority refers to legal resources that provide commentary, analysis, or explanations of primary legal sources like statutes and case law. These resources, including legal encyclopedias and treatises, help users understand and interpret the law but do not have the same binding power as primary authority. Secondary authority is essential for legal research as it guides practitioners in applying the law and understanding complex legal principles.
Secondary sources: Secondary sources are materials that analyze, interpret, or critique primary legal materials, such as statutes, regulations, or case law. They provide context, commentary, and summaries that help in understanding the law, making them invaluable tools for legal research and writing.
Small caps: Small caps are a typographic style where lowercase letters are designed to appear as uppercase but are smaller in height. This style is commonly used in legal writing, particularly in the context of citations, to provide clarity and consistency while distinguishing certain elements of the text.
State court citation: A state court citation is a reference that indicates where a particular legal case can be found within state court records. This citation typically includes the names of the parties involved, the volume number, the reporter series, the page number, and the year of the decision, which helps legal professionals quickly locate case law relevant to their work.
Statutes: Statutes are written laws enacted by a legislative body, such as Congress or state legislatures. They serve as primary sources of law, establishing legal standards and regulations that govern behavior within a jurisdiction and providing a framework for legal interpretation and enforcement.
Table of Cases: A table of cases is a systematic listing of legal cases referenced in a legal document, often organized alphabetically or chronologically. It serves as a tool to help readers quickly locate case law that is discussed throughout the document, enhancing the clarity and accessibility of legal arguments.
Table of Statutes: A table of statutes is a list that organizes and cites legislative acts in a legal document, often found at the beginning or end of a text. This table helps readers quickly locate the statutes referenced throughout the document, providing essential information about their citation and relevance. It plays a crucial role in legal writing, aiding in efficient research and ensuring accurate references to laws.
U.s.c.: The term 'u.s.c.' stands for the United States Code, which is a compilation of federal statutes organized by subject matter. It serves as the official codification of general and permanent laws of the United States, making it easier to locate specific legal provisions. The U.S.C. is essential for legal research and citation, particularly in understanding how federal laws are structured and referenced in legal documents.
Volume number: The volume number is a crucial part of citation that indicates a specific collection or grouping of legal publications, such as law journals, reports, or compilations. This number helps locate the exact source of legal authority and ensures that researchers and practitioners can find the referenced material efficiently. Volume numbers are typically associated with periodic publications, where each volume may contain multiple issues published within a particular time frame.