The main authority being cited, or whichever is most useful, if any, should always be cited first. Rules 121 clarify and supplement the citation rules set out in the bluebook. However, errors in the application of these and other bluebook rules are apparent to experienced bluebookers such as editors, judges and their law clerks, and law firm recruiters and partners. Order of authorities bluebook legal citation tarlton law library. For example, several cases following a see signal must be placed in order according to court, chronology, and sometimes alphabetically. Signals of the same type must be strung together within a single citation sentence and separated by semicolons. According to the bluebook signals of different types should be grouped in different citation sentences.
Thus, it may be worthwhile to familiarize yourself withand, if necessary, simply memorizesome of these rules. Always check for local court citation rules for court documents. String citations sturm college of law university of denver. Signals are used in front of citations to alert the reader as to how that citation is being used. Citation format examples for footnotes general rules times new roman, size 10, 1 line spacing, justified. After that, this rule provides the appropriate order in sufficient detail that the rule should be consulted directly. Everything you wanted to know that the bluebook does not tell. Sometimes multiple citations or strings are necessary. Bernadette bollas genetin,the supreme courts new approach to personal jurisdiction, 68 smu l.
But see is used when the citation clearly supports a proposition contradictory to the textual assertion, and. A bluebook guide for law students suffolk university. Legal citation, the bluebook, and the anxiety of authority. Some of the most obscure bluebook rules or how to really. Order of authorities bluebook legal citation tarlton. When you use more than one signal in a citation string, the signals should be listed in the order in which they appear in rule. Times new roman, size 10, 1 line spacing, justified. Bluepage rules are sometimes different but are always based upon the normal nonbluepage rules. Citation practices and the bluebook cuny school of law. The bluepages section located at the start of the bluebook is a miniguide to court documents andor legal memoranda.
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