
Citing EU law in MLA (Modern Language Association) style requires careful attention to detail, as it involves referencing legal documents that are unique in structure and format. When citing EU legislation, such as directives, regulations, or case law, it is essential to include key elements like the official title, publication information, and specific article or provision numbers. For instance, a regulation would be cited with its full title, the abbreviation OJ (Official Journal of the European Union), the year, and the relevant page or article number. Case law from the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) should include the case name, parties involved, court abbreviation, and the paragraph or point number if applicable. Properly citing EU law in MLA ensures clarity and accuracy, allowing readers to locate the referenced legal materials with ease.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Citation Format | Author (if applicable), Title of Legislation, Year, OJ (Official Journal) Reference, Article/Section (if applicable), URL (if accessed online). |
| Author | Not typically included unless the work is a secondary source (e.g., commentary or analysis). |
| Title of Legislation | Full title of the EU law (e.g., "Directive 2010/31/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council"). |
| Year | Year of adoption or publication of the legislation. |
| OJ Reference | Official Journal of the European Union reference (e.g., "OJ L 153, 18.6.2010, p. 13–35"). |
| Article/Section | Specific article or section cited, if applicable. |
| URL | Include if accessed online (e.g., EUR-Lex database URL). |
| Example Citation | European Union. Directive 2010/31/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, 2010, OJ L 153, 18.6.2010, p. 13–35. Available at: [EUR-Lex URL]. |
| MLA Style Notes | Follows MLA 9th edition guidelines, emphasizing clarity and accessibility. |
| Secondary Sources | If citing a commentary or analysis, include the author’s name and publication details. |
| Access Date | Required for online sources (e.g., "Accessed 15 Oct. 2023"). |
| Language | Use English titles and translations if available; otherwise, provide original language title with translation in brackets. |
| Abbreviations | Use standard abbreviations for EU institutions (e.g., "OJ" for Official Journal). |
| Works Cited Entry | Structured as: Author (if applicable). Title. Year, OJ Reference, Article/Section. URL. Access Date. |
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What You'll Learn
- MLA Format Basics: Understand MLA style requirements for in-text citations and Works Cited entries
- EU Treaty Citations: Learn how to cite EU treaties, articles, and protocols in MLA
- Case Law References: Format EU Court of Justice cases correctly in MLA style
- Regulation Citations: Cite EU regulations using MLA guidelines for legal documents
- Online EU Sources: Properly reference EU law databases and official websites in MLA

MLA Format Basics: Understand MLA style requirements for in-text citations and Works Cited entries
When citing EU law in MLA format, it's essential to understand the basic principles of MLA style for both in-text citations and Works Cited entries. MLA (Modern Language Association) style is commonly used in the humanities and liberal arts, and it emphasizes clarity and conciseness. For EU law, which often involves treaties, regulations, and case law, adapting MLA guidelines requires attention to detail and consistency. The goal is to provide enough information for readers to locate the source while adhering to MLA's formatting rules.
In-text citations in MLA format are brief and typically consist of the author’s last name and the page number(s) of the referenced material. However, EU law documents often lack a traditional author, so the title of the document or a shortened version of it is used instead. For example, if citing the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), the in-text citation might appear as ("TFEU, Article 101"). If the document is referenced without a specific page or article, simply use the shortened title in parentheses. It’s crucial to ensure the title in the in-text citation matches the entry in the Works Cited list exactly, including capitalization and abbreviations.
The Works Cited entry for EU law requires specific elements to be included in a precise order. Begin with the official title of the document, italicized, followed by the publication information, such as the institution responsible for the document (e.g., European Union) and the publication date. For treaties or regulations, include the specific article or section being cited. For example: *Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union*. European Union, 2012, Article 101. If the document is accessed online, add the URL or DOI at the end of the entry. Consistency in formatting, such as punctuation and indentation, is key to a professional Works Cited list.
When dealing with EU case law, the approach is similar but with slight variations. In-text citations might include the case name and year, such as (C-26/62, Van Gend en Loos, 1963). The Works Cited entry would list the case name in italics, followed by the court (e.g., European Court of Justice), the year, and the specific paragraph or section referenced. For instance: *Van Gend en Loos v. Nederlandse Administratie der Belastingen*. European Court of Justice, 1963, paragraph 3. If the case is accessed through a database, include the database name and URL.
Finally, MLA format encourages the use of container elements when necessary, though this is less common with EU law. If a document is part of a larger collection or database, include this information in the Works Cited entry. For example, if citing a regulation from the EUR-Lex database, add "EUR-Lex" as the second container and provide the URL. Always prioritize clarity and accessibility, ensuring that readers can easily locate the source. By following these MLA format basics, citing EU law becomes a structured and straightforward process.
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EU Treaty Citations: Learn how to cite EU treaties, articles, and protocols in MLA
Citing European Union (EU) treaties, articles, and protocols in MLA style requires attention to detail and adherence to specific formatting guidelines. Unlike traditional legal citations, MLA style emphasizes clarity and accessibility for a broad academic audience. When citing EU law, the goal is to provide sufficient information for readers to locate the source easily while maintaining consistency with MLA conventions. Below is a detailed guide on how to cite EU treaties, articles, and protocols in MLA format.
To cite an EU treaty in MLA, begin with the official title of the treaty, italicized and followed by the year of adoption in parentheses. For example, *"Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union" (2007)*. Next, include the specific article or provision you are referencing. If citing a particular article, use the format: "Art. [article number]." For instance, *"Art. 102"* refers to Article 102 of the treaty. If the treaty has protocols or annexes, cite them by their official designation, such as *"Protocol No. 14"* or *"Annex II."* After identifying the specific provision, provide the source where the treaty text can be found. This could be an official EU publication, a legal database, or a reputable online resource. For example: *"Official Journal of the European Union, C 115, 9 May 2008, pp. 47–200."*
When citing EU law in MLA, it is essential to include access dates for online sources, as EU documents are frequently updated. For instance, if you accessed the treaty text via the EUR-Lex database, add the retrieval date at the end of the citation: *"EUR-Lex. https://eur-lex.europa.eu. Accessed 15 Oct. 2023."* This ensures transparency and allows readers to verify the version of the document you consulted. Additionally, if the treaty has been amended, note the amendment details to provide context for the cited provision.
For in-text citations, MLA style uses a parenthetical format that includes the treaty name (abbreviated if lengthy) and the article number. For example: (*Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Art. 102*). If the treaty title is too long, use a shortened version or an abbreviation commonly recognized in EU law, such as *TFEU* for the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Consistency in abbreviations is key to avoiding confusion.
Finally, when citing EU protocols or annexes, follow a similar structure. Begin with the treaty title, followed by the protocol or annex designation, and then the source information. For example: *"Treaty of Lisbon, Protocol No. 2 on the Application of the Principles of Subsidiarity and Proportionality, Official Journal of the European Union, C 306, 17 Dec. 2007, pp. 155–157."* Always ensure that the citation is precise and aligns with the latest MLA guidelines, as small details can significantly impact the accuracy and credibility of your reference.
In summary, citing EU treaties, articles, and protocols in MLA involves clearly identifying the treaty, specifying the relevant provision, and providing accessible source information. By following these steps and adhering to MLA conventions, you can create accurate and reliable citations that enhance the scholarly quality of your work.
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Case Law References: Format EU Court of Justice cases correctly in MLA style
When citing cases from the European Union Court of Justice (CJEU) in MLA style, it is essential to follow a structured format that ensures clarity and accuracy. Begin with the names of the parties involved in the case, which should be listed in the order they appear on the case document. Use the full names of both parties, separated by the preposition "v." (for "versus"). For example, if the case is *France v. European Commission*, this should be the starting point of your citation. The names of the parties are crucial as they uniquely identify the case.
Following the party names, include the court that issued the decision, which in this context is the Court of Justice of the European Union. Abbreviate it as "CJEU" in parentheses to indicate the jurisdiction. Next, provide the case number, which is typically found at the beginning of the judgment. The case number is a critical element as it allows readers to locate the specific case within the court's records. After the case number, include the paragraph symbol (¶) followed by the relevant paragraph number(s) if you are citing a specific section of the judgment. This level of detail helps readers pinpoint the exact part of the case you are referencing.
The date of the judgment is another vital component of the citation. Place it in parentheses immediately after the court abbreviation. Use the day-month-year format, ensuring consistency with MLA style guidelines. For instance, if the judgment was delivered on 12 September 2020, it should appear as (12 Sept. 2020). The date is important as it provides temporal context and distinguishes cases with similar names or parties.
Finally, conclude the citation with the URL or database name where the case can be accessed. Since MLA style emphasizes accessibility, providing a direct link to the case or the database (e.g., EUR-Lex) is highly recommended. If using a database, include the name in italics followed by the subscription or access information, if applicable. For example, the citation might end with *EUR-Lex*, or if accessed through a specific legal database, include that information as well. This ensures that readers can easily locate and verify the source.
In summary, a correctly formatted MLA citation for a CJEU case should include the party names, court abbreviation, case number, relevant paragraph(s), judgment date, and access information. For example: *France v. European Commission (CJEU) Case C-123/45 ¶ 20 (12 Sept. 2020)*. *EUR-Lex*. This structured approach ensures that your citations are both accurate and user-friendly, adhering to the principles of MLA style while effectively referencing EU case law.
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Regulation Citations: Cite EU regulations using MLA guidelines for legal documents
When citing EU regulations using MLA guidelines for legal documents, it is essential to provide clear and accurate references to ensure credibility and allow readers to locate the sources easily. The Modern Language Association (MLA) style, while primarily used for humanities, can be adapted for legal citations, including EU regulations. The key is to include all necessary details in a structured and consistent manner.
To cite an EU regulation in MLA format, begin with the official title of the regulation. The title should be in sentence case, meaning only the first word and any proper nouns are capitalized. Following the title, include the regulation number in parentheses. For example: *Regulation on the Protection of Natural Persons with Regard to the Processing of Personal Data and on the Free Movement of Such Data (General Data Protection Regulation) (2016/679)*. This format ensures clarity and adheres to MLA's emphasis on simplicity and readability.
Next, provide the date of adoption or enactment of the regulation. In MLA style, the date follows the title and is enclosed in parentheses. For EU regulations, use the format "Year/Number" as per the Official Journal of the European Union. For instance: *(2016/679)*. After the date, include the source from which the regulation was accessed, typically the Official Journal. The citation would look like this: *Official Journal of the European Union, L 119, 4.5.2016, pp. 1–88*. This ensures the citation is traceable and complete.
If you are referencing a specific article or section within the regulation, include this information after the main citation. Use the abbreviation "art." for article, followed by the article number. For example: *(art. 5)*. If citing multiple articles, separate them with commas or use a range if consecutive. This level of detail helps readers navigate directly to the relevant part of the regulation.
Finally, if the regulation is accessed online, include a URL or DOI (Digital Object Identifier) at the end of the citation. MLA guidelines recommend using the most stable and direct link available. For EU regulations, the EUR-Lex database is a reliable source. For example: *https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2016/679/oj*. This ensures accessibility and aligns with MLA's focus on digital sources. By following these steps, you can accurately and effectively cite EU regulations in MLA style for legal documents.
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Online EU Sources: Properly reference EU law databases and official websites in MLA
When citing online EU law sources in MLA style, it is essential to provide clear and accurate references to ensure credibility and allow readers to locate the sources easily. For EU law databases and official websites, the MLA format requires specific elements to be included in the citation. Begin with the title of the legal document or webpage, which should be in quotation marks. If the source is a specific regulation, directive, or case, ensure the full title is included. For example, a citation might start with "Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council."
Next, provide the name of the institution or organization responsible for the document. In the context of EU law, this could be the European Union, the European Court of Justice, or another relevant body. Follow this with the publication date of the document or the date it was last updated, if available. For instance, "European Union, 2016" would be appropriate for the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) cited earlier. If the source is accessed online, include the words "Web" to indicate the medium, followed by the date you accessed the source, formatted as day, month, and year.
The citation should also include the URL of the webpage or database where the document was found. Since URLs can be lengthy and complex, MLA allows for the removal of the "https://" prefix to simplify the reference. For example, a citation might conclude with "Web. 15 Oct. 2023.
When referencing EU law databases like EUR-Lex, which is the official portal for European Union law, include the database name in italics followed by the publisher or sponsoring organization. For example, "*EUR-Lex*, European Union" would be included in the citation. If you are citing a specific case from the European Court of Justice, include the case name, court, and decision date before adding the database information. For instance, "Case C-434/16, *European Court of Justice*, 2018. *EUR-Lex*, European Union."
Finally, consistency and attention to detail are key when citing online EU sources in MLA. Double-check the accuracy of titles, dates, and URLs to avoid errors. If the source lacks specific information, such as a publication date, use the abbreviation "n.d." (no date) in its place. By following these guidelines, you ensure that your citations are both MLA-compliant and informative, facilitating access to the rich array of EU legal materials available online.
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Frequently asked questions
To cite EU law in MLA, include the title of the legislation, the year of adoption, and the source where you accessed it. For example: *Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation)*. Official Journal of the European Union, L 119/1, 2016.
Yes, the official journal reference is essential for EU law citations in MLA. Include the volume and page numbers, such as *Official Journal of the European Union, L 119/1*, to ensure the source is locatable.
The title of EU legislation should be italicized in MLA citations. For example: *Directive 2011/24/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2011 on the application of patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare*.





























