Keith Mack
Bluebooking a law review article is a critical skill for legal scholars and practitioners, as it ensures uniformity, clarity, and professionalism in legal citations. The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation, widely regarded as the definitive guide for legal citation, provides detailed rules for citing various sources, including cases, statutes, books, and articles. When bluebooking a law review article, authors must meticulously follow these rules to properly format in-text citations, footnotes, and bibliographies. This process involves understanding the specific requirements for citing law review articles, such as including the author’s name, article title, journal name, volume number, page number, and publication year. Mastery of these rules not only enhances the credibility of the work but also facilitates ease of reference for readers, making it an essential step in the legal writing and publication process.
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What You'll Learn
- Citing Cases: Format case names, reporters, and pinpoint citations accurately
- Statutes & Regulations: Properly cite federal and state statutes, codes, and regulations
- Books & Articles: Bluebook rules for books, journals, and law review articles
- Electronic Sources: Citing websites, blogs, and other online legal resources correctly
- Foreign & International Law: Guidelines for citing non-U.S. legal materials
Citing Cases: Format case names, reporters, and pinpoint citations accurately
When citing cases in a law review article, it is essential to follow the Bluebook's rules for formatting case names, reporters, and pinpoint citations accurately. The case name should be italicized or underlined, depending on the publication's style, and the parties' names should be separated by a comma, followed by the volume number, reporter abbreviation, page number, and court abbreviation (if necessary). For example, *Smith v. Johnson*, 45 U.S. 123 (S.D.N.Y. 2022). The court abbreviation is required only if there is a risk of confusion with another court or if the citation is to an unreported decision.
In terms of reporter citations, the Bluebook provides a specific order of preference for reporters, with the official reporter taking precedence over unofficial reporters. If the case is reported in the official reporter, cite to that reporter; if not, cite to the most authoritative unofficial reporter available. The reporter abbreviation should be followed by the page number, without any spaces or punctuation between the abbreviation and the page number. For instance, 45 U.S. 123 or 123 F. Supp. 3d 456. When citing to a specific page within a case, use a pinpoint citation, which consists of the case name, reporter citation, and the precise page number(s) being referenced, separated by a comma and a space. For example, *Smith v. Johnson*, 45 U.S. 123, 128 (S.D.N.Y. 2022).
When citing cases from certain courts, such as the U.S. Supreme Court or the U.S. Courts of Appeals, the Bluebook allows for the use of abbreviated citations, which omit the case name and reporter volume and page numbers. Instead, these citations consist of the party names, the year of decision, and the abbreviated court citation. For example, *Smith v. Johnson*, 2022 U.S. App. LEXIS 12345 (2d Cir. 2022). However, these abbreviated citations should be used judiciously and only when the case is well-known or easily accessible.
In addition to the basic format for case citations, the Bluebook provides rules for citing cases with special characteristics, such as cases involving multiple parties, cases with long or complex names, or cases that have been appealed or otherwise modified. When citing a case with multiple parties, list the parties in the order they appear on the case caption, separated by commas. If the case name is too long or complex, you may use a shortened version of the name, followed by the phrase "et al." or a similar abbreviation. For example, *Doe v. Roe*, 45 U.S. 123 (2022) (involving 20 plaintiffs and 10 defendants) can be cited as *Doe v. Roe, et al*., 45 U.S. 123 (2022).
Finally, when citing to a specific section or paragraph within a case, use a pinpoint citation with the appropriate signal, such as "at" or "id." For example, *Smith v. Johnson*, 45 U.S. 123, 128 (S.D.N.Y. 2022) (stating that "the plaintiff's claim is without merit" at 129). If the citation is to a subsequent page or section, use the signal "id." followed by the pinpoint citation. For instance, *id*. at 130 (discussing the defendant's counterclaim). By following these rules and guidelines, you can ensure that your case citations are accurate, clear, and conform to the Bluebook's standards for law review articles.
It is also crucial to proofread your citations carefully, as errors in case names, reporter abbreviations, or pinpoint citations can be confusing or misleading to readers. When in doubt, consult the Bluebook's tables and rules for specific guidance on citing cases from various courts and reporters. By mastering the art of citing cases accurately, you will not only enhance the credibility of your law review article but also demonstrate your attention to detail and commitment to legal scholarship. Remember that consistent and accurate citation format is essential for maintaining the integrity of legal research and writing.
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Statutes & Regulations: Properly cite federal and state statutes, codes, and regulations
When citing federal statutes in a law review article, it is essential to follow the Bluebook’s specific rules for clarity and precision. Begin with the official name of the statute, followed by the section being cited, the title number (if applicable), and the year of the compilation. For example, a citation to the Social Security Act would appear as: *Social Security Act* § 205(g), 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) (2018). The first part identifies the statute by name and section, while the second part provides the United States Code citation and the year of the code edition. If citing a specific subsection, include it after the section number, such as § 205(g)(1). Always use the official U.S. Code citation rather than a popular name or public law number unless specifically required by context.
For federal regulations, the citation format differs slightly but remains straightforward. Start with the Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) citation, including the title and section number, followed by the year of the regulation. For instance, a citation to a regulation under the Social Security Act would be: 20 C.F.R. § 404.929 (2023). If referencing a specific subsection, include it after the section number, such as § 404.929(a). When citing proposed or temporary regulations, use the Federal Register citation instead of the C.F.R., formatted as: 75 Fed. Reg. 23,456 (proposed May 1, 2010). This ensures that the reader can locate the exact regulation in its original published form.
State statutes and codes follow a similar structure to federal citations but require additional attention to the specific state’s citation format. Begin with the official name of the code, followed by the section number, the compilation’s volume and page number, and the year of the code edition. For example, a citation to the California Penal Code would appear as: Cal. Penal Code § 187 (West 2022). If the state code is not published by West, use the publisher’s name in parentheses after the citation. For states that use a session law citation, such as New York, the format would be: N.Y. Laws 2021, c. 123, § 4. Always verify the state’s specific Bluebook rules, as variations exist.
State regulations also require careful attention to detail. Start with the state’s administrative code citation, including the title and section number, followed by the year of the regulation. For example, a citation to a California regulation would be: 17 Cal. Code Regs. § 9795 (2023). If the state does not have an official administrative code, use the register or bulletin where the regulation was published, such as: 42 Pa. Bull. 1234 (Feb. 15, 2020). As with federal regulations, proposed or temporary state regulations should be cited to the state’s register or bulletin rather than the administrative code.
Finally, when citing historical or repealed statutes and regulations, include the effective or repeal date to provide context. For example, a citation to a repealed federal statute would be: *Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980*, 42 U.S.C. § 9607 (repealed 1995). For state statutes, follow the same principle, such as: Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 93A, § 2 (repealed 2000). This ensures that the reader understands the temporal scope of the cited law. Always double-check the Bluebook’s tables and rules for specific jurisdictions, as they may have unique requirements for historical or repealed provisions.
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Books & Articles: Bluebook rules for books, journals, and law review articles
When citing books in a law review article, follow the Bluebook’s rules for Rule 15. The basic format for a book citation includes the author’s name, the book title (italicized), the edition (if not the first), the page number(s) cited, the publisher, and the year of publication. For example: *Richard A. Posner, The Problems of Jurisprudence 123 (6th ed. 2020)*. If the book has multiple authors, list all authors, separated by “and” before the last author. For edited works, include the editor’s name after the book title, preceded by “ed.” or “eds.” For instance: *John Doe & Jane Smith, Understanding Legal Theory 45 (Mary Roe ed., 2d ed. 2019)*. Always abbreviate terms like “edition” and “editor” as specified in Table T.1 of the Bluebook.
For journal articles, the Bluebook’s Rule 16 governs citations. The format includes the author’s name, the article title (in sentence case and enclosed in quotes), the journal name (italicized and abbreviated according to Table T.13), the volume number, the page number(s) cited, and the year of publication. For example: *Christopher Eisgruber, “Autonomy and the First Amendment,” 120 Harv. L. Rev. 1880, 1885 (2007)*. If the journal is not listed in Table T.13, spell out the full name. For articles with multiple authors, follow the same rule as books, using “and” before the last author. If the article is accessed online and does not have a print counterpart, include the URL or DOI in the citation.
Law review articles follow a similar format to journal articles but often require additional precision. Always use the official Bluebook abbreviations for law reviews found in Table T.13. For example: *Cass R. Sunstein, “Behavioral Economics and the Law,” 98 Colum. L. Rev. 2059, 2063 (1998)*. If citing a student comment or note, include the author’s name and the designation “Note” or “Comment” after the title. For instance: *Jane Doe, Note, “The Impact of Technology on Privacy Law,” 50 Stan. L. Rev. 1025, 1030 (2022)*. Ensure the volume number and page range are accurate, as these are critical for proper citation.
When citing articles from non-law journals, follow Rule 16.8. The format is similar to law review articles but may require additional information, such as issue numbers or season designations if applicable. For example: *David A. Hoffman, “The Oligopoly of Prestige in Legal Academia,” 3 J. Legal Analysis 277, 282 (2011)*. If the journal uses continuous pagination throughout a volume, omit the issue number. For online-only articles, include the URL or DOI and the date last visited, as in: *Linda Greenhouse, “The Supreme Court’s Quiet Revolution,” N.Y. Times, https://www.nytimes.com (last visited Oct. 10, 2023)*.
Finally, for books and articles in electronic formats, the Bluebook requires additional information to ensure accessibility. For e-books, include the eBook platform or database name and, if available, the DOI or stable URL. For example: *Joshua A. Douglas, Vote for US: How to Take Back Our Elections and Change the Future of Voting *15 (P. 2020), https://www.jstor.org* (last visited Nov. 15, 2023). For articles accessed through databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis, include the database name and the date last visited. For instance: *Erin E. Buhrmaster, “The Right to Be Forgotten,” 66 Buff. L. Rev. 1479, 1485 (2018), available at Westlaw (last visited Dec. 1, 2023)*. Always prioritize stability and accessibility in electronic citations.
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Electronic Sources: Citing websites, blogs, and other online legal resources correctly
When citing electronic sources such as websites, blogs, and other online legal resources in a law review article, it is crucial to follow the Bluebook’s guidelines to ensure accuracy and consistency. The Bluebook treats electronic sources as a distinct category, requiring specific elements to be included in the citation. For websites, the basic format consists of the author’s name (if available), the title of the webpage or article (in quotation marks), the website name (in italics), the publication date (if provided), and the URL. For example: *Author’s Name*, *Title of Webpage*, Website Name, Month Day, Year, URL. If the author is unknown, begin the citation with the title of the webpage. Always include the date of last access in parentheses after the URL, as electronic content can change or become unavailable over time.
Blogs present a slightly different challenge, as they often lack formal publication structures. When citing a blog post, include the blogger’s name (if available), the title of the post (in quotation marks), the blog name (in italics), the date of the post, and the URL. For instance: *Blogger’s Name*, *Title of Blog Post*, Blog Name, Month Day, Year, URL (last visited Month Day, Year). If the blogger is anonymous or uses a pseudonym, use that in place of the author’s name. As with websites, the “last visited” date is essential to provide a snapshot of the resource as it appeared when accessed.
Online legal resources, such as those from government websites, legal databases, or scholarly repositories, require additional specificity. For government documents, include the issuing agency, the title of the document (in italics), the date, and the URL. For example: *U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Legal Policy, Report on the Use of Electronic Surveillance* (2023), URL (last visited Month Day, Year). When citing cases or statutes from legal databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis, use the parallel citations provided by the database, but also include the database name and the date of access. For instance: *Smith v. Johnson*, 543 U.S. 123 (2022), 2022 Westlaw 1234567 (last visited Month Day, Year).
For scholarly articles or working papers found online, the citation should mirror that of a print source, with the addition of the URL and access date. For example: *Jane Doe, The Evolution of Digital Privacy Law*, 45 J. Tech. L. 123 (2023), URL (last visited Month Day, Year). If the article is from an open-access repository or preprint server, include the repository name in italics and the document identifier if available. Consistency in format and attention to detail are key to ensuring that electronic sources are cited correctly.
Finally, when dealing with social media posts or other informal online content, the Bluebook advises treating them as non-traditional sources. Include the author’s name (or handle), the content of the post (in quotation marks), the platform, the date of the post, and the URL. For example: *@LegalScholar, “The impact of AI on legal research is undeniable,” Twitter, Month Day, Year, URL* (last visited Month Day, Year). While these sources may not carry the same weight as traditional legal materials, they should still be cited meticulously to maintain academic integrity and allow readers to locate the referenced content.
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Foreign & International Law: Guidelines for citing non-U.S. legal materials
When citing non-U.S. legal materials in a law review article, adherence to the *Bluebook*’s rules for foreign and international law is essential. The *Bluebook* provides specific guidelines for citing materials from foreign jurisdictions, international courts, and treaties. These rules ensure clarity, consistency, and accessibility for readers navigating legal sources from diverse legal systems. The key is to provide sufficient information to identify and locate the cited material while adhering to the *Bluebook*’s prescribed formats.
For foreign legal materials, such as cases, statutes, and regulations from non-U.S. jurisdictions, the *Bluebook* requires citation to the official reporter or primary source whenever possible. For example, when citing a United Kingdom case, use the official law report series, such as the *All England Law Reports*. If the case is not available in an official reporter, cite it from a reputable, widely available source. Always include the country name in parentheses after the case name to avoid confusion. For statutes, provide the jurisdiction, year, and title of the act, followed by the relevant section or provision. For instance, a citation to a Canadian statute would appear as: *Criminal Code*, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46, § 265.
When citing international law materials, such as treaties, conventions, and decisions of international courts, precision is critical. Treaties should be cited to the official source, such as the *United Nations Treaty Series* (U.N.T.S.) or the *League of Nations Treaty Series* (L.N.T.S.). If the treaty is not available in an official source, cite it from a widely recognized compilation, such as *International Legal Materials* (I.L.M.). For example, a citation to the *Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties* would appear as: Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, May 23, 1969, 1155 U.N.T.S. 331. Decisions of international courts, such as the International Court of Justice (ICJ), should be cited to the official reporter, such as the *International Court of Justice Reports* (I.C.J. Rep.). Include the case name, year, and page number, followed by the court abbreviation and reporter citation.
Secondary sources from foreign or international law, such as law journal articles or books, should follow the general *Bluebook* rules for citing these materials. However, ensure that the author’s name and publication details are formatted according to the specific rules for non-English sources. For example, non-English titles should be transliterated or translated into English, and the original title should be included in the citation. Additionally, include the jurisdiction or language of publication, if relevant, to provide context for the reader.
Finally, when dealing with non-English materials, the *Bluebook* permits translations of titles and quotations into English for accessibility. However, always retain the original language in the citation. For example, if citing a French statute, provide the French title followed by an English translation in brackets. Similarly, if quoting from a non-English source, include the original text followed by an English translation in parentheses. This dual approach ensures accuracy while making the material understandable to a broader audience. By following these guidelines, authors can effectively cite foreign and international legal materials in a manner that aligns with the *Bluebook*’s standards.
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Frequently asked questions
The Bluebook is a uniform system of citation used in the United States for legal documents, including law review articles. It ensures consistency and professionalism in citing sources, making it easier for readers to locate and verify references.
To cite a law review article, use the following format: Author’s Name, Title of Article, Volume Number Abbreviated Journal Name Page Number (Year). Example: John Doe, The Evolution of Legal Theory, 50 Harv. L. Rev. 123 (2020).
Footnotes should be single-spaced, with a double space between footnotes. The first line of each footnote should be indented, and the font size should be two points smaller than the main text. Follow the Bluebook’s rules for citation style within the footnotes.
Cite cases in the following format: Volume Number Reporter Abbreviation Page Number (Court Abbreviation Year). Example: 410 U.S. 113 (1973). For subsequent references, use a shortened form: *Id.* at Page Number.
For online sources, include the author, title, website name (if applicable), and the full URL. If available, add the date last visited in parentheses. Example: Jane Smith, The Impact of Technology on Law, Legal Tech Blog (Jan. 1, 2023), https://www.legaltechblog.com/article (last visited June 1, 2023).
