Legal Citation

Yay, Uniform Systems of Legal Citation!!

Let’s be honest, it’s pretty difficult to make legal citations sound exciting. After toiling at this blog post for far longer than I’d like to admit, I had almost given up on trying to make this topic anything more than merely informative . . . but then it hit me: where would we be without uniform citation systems? It would be a world of chaos and disorder! (Chaos and disorder is exciting!)

I mean without uniform rules for legal citation we would be running around like crazy people -- wasting a lot of time trying to locate the most basic of legal resources. I can just picture the tantrums and meltdowns now, and, boy, it is NOT a pretty thing to behold!

So, lets spend a moment basking in the glory of The Bluebook and The ALWD Citation Manual!

Now keep in mind, even though new editions of these manuals come out somewhat regularly, they also publish rule changes and clarifications online as well:

The Bluebook

The ALWD Citation Manual

Some people will also want to opt for the online version of the Bluebook. It’s a wild and crazy (and searchable) thing!

If you would like help getting familiar with using Bluebook or ALWD click here for a LexisNexis interactive tutorial, or here for a list of CALI Lessons.

Now don’t forget, each jurisdiction can have it’s own preferred system of citation. Click here for a website with a table outlining the different state-specific practices. When you get to the main website, select “Cross Reference Tables” and then select “Table: State Specific Practices”.

If you need information on how to cite international law or foreign law documents, click here for a link to some useful resources.

If you have any other citation questions please, feel free to come by the Westminster Law Library Reference Desk on the 3rd floor of the library and we would be more than happy to help.


Written by Jennifer Chang, Law Librarian Fellow