Citing Lexis Nexis Law Cases: A Quick Guide

When citing a law case from LexisNexis, the citation format will mirror how it displays in the header of the full document. The LexisNexis default style manual includes all parallel citations. LexisNexis offers a Copy Citation feature that allows users to copy document citations and paste them as hyperlinks into their legal documents. The citation format for an unpublished case available in LexisNexis or another electronic database includes the name of the case, court, judge, date, and database identifier.

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Using the Copy Citation feature

LexisNexis® products and services like Lexis+® and Lexis® offer a Copy Citation feature that allows users to copy document citations and paste them as hyperlinks into their legal documents.

To copy a citation, click on "Copy Citation" in the heading of the document to open the "Copy Citation to Clipboard" window. From the "New format" drop-down list, select the relevant style manual. Note that this selection may not be available for all documents. Click "Apply" to apply the selected manual. Next, select the options you want to include in the citation. The choices available will differ based on the type of document you are viewing. Finally, click "Copy & Close" and paste the text into your word processor document.

It is important to note that if you select "(none)" as your Citation Format, the Lexis default style manual will be used, which includes all parallel citations. Additionally, only cases with reporter citations include a Style Manual format selection option. For other document types, the Copy Citation feature pulls the citation from the header of the document, mirroring the format in cite lists and the header of the full document.

For law school users, ALWD is also available as a citation format.

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LEXIS pagination

When citing a law case from LexisNexis, the LEXIS pagination for every case starts at page 1. For example, when citing page 5 of 1987 U.S. App. LEXIS 1480, the correct format is 1987 U.S. App. LEXIS 1480, 5, not 1987 U.S. App. LEXIS 1480, 1484.

In case law documents, the numbers relate to page numbers in reporters or to LexisNexis pagination. You can identify the publications that correspond to the page numbers in the text by referring to the citations listed at the top of the case. The corresponding number of stars appears next to each citation at the beginning of the case. For example, a U.S. Supreme Court opinion may contain page numbers from the official United States Reports (U.S.), the Supreme Court Reporter (S. Ct.), the Lawyer's Edition (L. Ed. 2d), and the LEXIS citation.

The first citation for which page numbers are available contains one star. The second citation contains two stars, and the third citation contains three stars. The page numbers within the text contain the corresponding number of stars. In 300 U.S. 1, the citations listed at the top of the case are: 300 U.S. 1 * | 57 S. Ct.

The LexisNexis Copy Citation feature allows users to copy document citations and paste them into a legal document as a hyperlink. To use this feature, click "Copy Citation" in the heading of the document to open the "Copy Citation to Clipboard" window. Then, select the necessary style manual from the "New format" drop-down list, if available. Click "Apply" to apply the selected manual. It is important to note that this selection is not available for all documents. Finally, select the options you want to include in the citation and click "Copy & Close." You can then paste the text into your word processor document.

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Citing unpublished cases

Although the terms "unpublished case" and "unreported case" are often used interchangeably, LexisNexis® makes a distinction between the two. An unreported case refers specifically to a case that has not been published in a hard copy reporter series, such as the West Regional and Federal Reporters from the National Reporter System® (F.3d, N.E.2d, etc.).

The Bluebook provides guidelines for citing unpublished or unreported cases, with examples in the chart at the beginning of R10, p. 96, and as part of R10.8.1, pp. 112-14. According to R10.8.1, there are two types of sources for unpublished cases: cases available on widely accessible electronic databases, and cases available in slip opinions.

If citing an unpublished case from an electronic database such as Lexis, provide the case name, docket number, database identifier, court name, and full date of the most recent major disposition of the case. Cite the case docket number exactly as it appears.

If an unpublished case is only available as a slip opinion, the citation remains largely the same, except without the database identifier: United States v. Bennett, No. 05-CR-6050 CJS (W.D.N.Y. Oct. 21, 2005).

It is important to note that the court may place citation limitations on unpublished cases, so be sure to check for any explicit instructions or references to court rules that delineate when the case can and cannot be cited.

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Selecting a style manual

When citing a law case from LexisNexis, selecting an appropriate style manual is crucial to ensure consistency and adherence to established citation standards. Here are some considerations for choosing a style manual:

• Availability and Applicability: Not all style manuals are available for every document type on LexisNexis. Certain manuals, such as ALWD, may be specifically designed for law school users. Check if the style manual you want to use is applicable to the specific LexisNexis product or service you are utilizing, such as Lexis+® or Lexis®.
• Citation Format Requirements: Different style manuals have distinct formatting requirements. Consider the specific citation format requirements of the style manual, such as the inclusion of parenthetical information for concurrences or dissents, as seen in the difference between Standard and The Bluebook. Choose a style manual that aligns with the conventions of your discipline or the publication you are submitting to.
• Parallel Citations: If you prefer to include parallel citations in your legal document, selecting "(none)" as your citation format will result in the use of the Lexis default style manual, which includes all parallel citations. This option is particularly relevant when dealing with cases that have reporter citations.
• Consistency and Standardization: Consider selecting a style manual that is widely used in your field or academic discipline. Consistency in citation style promotes uniformity in legal documents and facilitates ease of reference. Check if there is a preferred style manual within your organization or academic institution.
• Functionality and Compatibility: Ensure that the style manual you select is compatible with the LexisNexis copy citation feature. Verify that the manual appears in the "New format" drop-down list when using the copy citation function. This ensures that you can efficiently copy and paste citations into your legal documents while maintaining the chosen style.

By considering the availability, formatting requirements, parallel citation options, standardization, and compatibility, you can make an informed decision when selecting a style manual for citing a law case from LexisNexis.

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Hyperlinking citations

To create a hyperlink citation, you can use the standard HTML element. In Markdown, the standard notation for links is [](). You can format the link text with inline elements or use the title of the referenced element if no text is provided. For example, to link to https://www.example.com, you would use the following code: [Link Text](https://www.example.com).

When hyperlinking citations, it is important to maintain consistency throughout your document. This helps ensure a professional appearance and improves the user experience. Additionally, consider using a citation generator or manager, such as Zotero, to automate the process and save time.

It's worth noting that different citation styles have specific guidelines for hyperlinking. For instance, the APA style requires the use of "Retrieved from:" before a cited URL, while the MLA style guide asks writers to remove hyperlinks and enclose URLs in brackets. Always refer to the appropriate style guide for your field or publication.

Frequently asked questions