1

Legal Citations &

Quotations—Focus on U.S.

& PRC Sources

2

Outline

• 3 Purposes of Citation• 3 Elements of Citation• Where to Find the Citation Rules• Basic Guidelines for Citing PRC Sources• Constitutions• Statutes and Regulations• Periodicals• Cases• Internet Sources• Introductory Signals• Short-Form Citations• Formatting• Quotations

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3 Purposes of Citation

1. LOCATOR INFO: Help the reader find and verify the source of law or fact that you cite.

E.g.:

8 U.S.C. § 1102(b) (2007).

4

2. AUTHORITY: Show how persuasive the authority is for the proposition stated.

E.g.: It is a copyright violation for a blogger to copy an entire chapter of another’s book. Smith v. Kline, 576 U.S. 713 (2007).

E.g.: It is a copyright violation for a blogger to copy an entire chapter of another’s book. See Steven Gould, Copyright and the Internet, 63 Harv. L. Rev. 713 (1986).

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3. ATTRIBUTION = Fulfill the ethical obligation to cite to another author if you borrow her words or ideas.

E.g.: No state has a higher rate of high school graduates than Michigan. Steven Gould, Illiteracy Lingers, N.Y. Times, May 3, 2007, at A1.

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• In other words, citation is important to avoid plagiarism. Plagiarism disrespects the author whose words or ideas you borrow and misrepresents to the reader that the work is your own.

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3 Elements of a Citation

See

8 U.S.C. § 1101(b) (2006)

(defining “child” for purposes of the Immigration and Nationality Act).

Signal

Source or Authority

Parenthetical Information

8

Bluebook For 75 years, the

standard.

• Prepared by Harv., Yale, Colum., Penn. students.

• Revised every 5 years.

• Available for purchase in BJ at www.wells.org.cn 8857.8296

Where to Find the Citation Rules

9

Can’t Afford the Book? Book Checked out of the Library?

Introduction to Basic Legal Citation

<http://www.law.cornell.edu/citation>

10

ALWD Citation Manual

11

Basic Guidelines for Citing PRC Sources (T.2)

Use of Pinyin

For Chinese-language sources, write the name in Pinyin and then write the English translation in brackets.

• Shear jingji hetongfa [Law on Economic Contracts Involving Foreign Interests]

• Lun yu [Analects]

12

The best sources for laws, judicial publications and similar sources, are official government sources.

If a reliable English translation is available, either cite to it alone or cite to both Chinese & English versions. This helps the English-speaking reader.

E.g.: She wai jing ji tong fa [Law on Economic Contracts Involving Foreign Interest] (promulgated by the Standing Comm. Nat’l People’s Cong., Mar. 21, 1985, effective July 1, 1985), 1985 Fa Gui Hui Bian 321 (repealed 1999), translated in Isinolaw (last visited Nov. 18, 2004).

13

What if you use a quote from a Chinese source that you have translated yourself?

At the end of the citation, just write “(my translation)”:

Xu Xun, Zhongguo Xinwen Qinquan Jiufen Sisici Langchao [The Fourth Wave of China’s News Tort Disputes] 22, 24 (2002) (my translation).

You don’t need to write “my translation” if you are merely paraphrasing the source.

14

Constitutions

1. U.S. Const. art. III, § 4, cl. 2.

2. U.S. Const. amend. XIV, § 2.

3. Xian Fa [Constitution] art. 35, § 1 (2004) (P.R.C.).

15

Statutes and Regulations

U.S. Code: 15 U.S.C. § 212 (2000).

Title # Section Year of cited codeedition (not yearact was passed)

16

Dep’t of Transportation Act,

Pub. L. No. 89-670,

§ 9,

80 Stat. 931,

944-47

(1966).

Name of act

Public Law #

Pincite to section of Public Law

Statutes at Large citation

Pincite to Statutes at Large pages

Year enacted

U.S. Federal Session Law:

17

Federal Acquisition Regulations for National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 55 Fed. Reg. 58,782 (Dec. 21, 1990)

Title

Volume & Page # of Fed. Reg.

Date

Federal Register (U.S.)

18

Code of Federal Regulations (U.S.)

7

C.F.R.

§ 319.7

(1999)

Title #

Section

Date of code edition cited.

19

Li fa fa [Law on Legislation] art. 12 (promulgated by the Standing Comm. Nat’l People’s Cong., Mar. 15, 2000, effective July 1, 2000) 2000 Zhonghua Renmin Gongheguo Quan Guo Renmin Daibiao Da Hui Changwei Yuan Hui Gong Bao [Standing Comm. Nat’l People’s Cong. Gaz. ] 200.

Document name

Pincite

Promulgating authority, promulgation date, effective date

Source volume, name, pincite within source.

PRC Law (法律 ):

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Citations for other PRC “legal documents,” such as those below, follow the same format as for laws:

• Administrative Regulations (xingzheng fagui)• Administrative Rules (xinzheng guizhang): • Local Regulations (difang fagui) • Local Administrative Rules (difang xingzheng

guizhang)• Judicial Interpretation (sifa jieshi):• Hong Kong Basic Law (xianggang jiben fa)

21

Guanyu Fabiao He Chuban Youguan Dang He Guojia Zhuyao Lingdaoren Gongzuo He Shenghuo Qingkuang Zuopin de Buchong Guiding [Supplementary Rules Regarding Distribution and Publication of Work Concerning the Life Situation of Important Party and National Leaders] (promulgated by Zhongxang Xuanchuan Bu [Central Propaganda Dep’t], effective Feb. 15, 1993), available at http://www.people.com.cn/flfg/9302.html

Document name in Chinese

English translation

Pincite

Promulgating authority & promulgation date

Effective Date

Source

22

Baokan Kanzai Xujia Shishi Baodao Chuli Banfa [Provisions Regarding the Handling of Publications that Publish False or Inaccurate Reports] arts. 2, 3 (promulgated by the Ge. Admin. of Press and Publ’ns, July 8, 1999, effective July 8, 1999), available at http://www.people.com.cn/082756.html

Document name in Chinese

English translation

Pincite

Promulgating authority & promulgation date

Effective Date

Source

(P.R.C.) if needed for clarity

23

Books2

Richard H. Fallon & Liu Mingli,

Trial and Error

59

(7th ed.

1998).

Volume (if multivolume work)

Author’s full names per publication (“&” between 2 authors; for more, use 1st author’s name “et al.”)

Title (italicized)

Pincite to page or §

Parenthetical with year published & edition # (if any)

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Book with Chinese Title:

Xu Xun, Zhongguo Xinwen Qinquan Jiufen Sisici Langchao [The Fourth Wave of China’s News Tort Disputes] 22(2002)

Pinyin title followed by English translation in brackets (italicized)

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PeriodicalsNonconsecutively paginated (e.g., most newspapers): each issue begins at page 1.

Consecutively paginated (e.g., most l.rev.): For any given volume, the 1st issue begins at page 1, the 2nd issue begins where the 1st left off, etc.

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Periodicals—Consecutively Paginated

Kenneth R. Feinberg, Mediation—A Preferred Method of Dispute Resolution,

16

Pepp. L. Rev.

265,

279

(1989)

Authors

Title

Vol #

Periodical name (abbreviated per T.13)

Page # where article starts

Pincite

Year of publication

27

Wang Jiangyu,

Maimai Hetong Chengli De Yiban Guizi Yu Guoji Maoyi Zhong de Geshi Zhi Zhan

[The General Rules of the Formation of Sale Contracts and the ‘Battle of Forms’ in International Trade],

8 Minshang Fa Luncong

[Civil and Commercial L. Rev.] 545 (1997).

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Periodicals—Nonconsecutively Paginated

Kenneth R. Feinberg, Mediation—A Preferred Method of Dispute Resolution,

N.Y. Times,

June 15, 1990,

at A1.

Date of publication as shown on cover

Page #

29

Xu Xun, Xinwen Qinquan Jiufen De Disici Gaofeng Qi [The Fourth Wave of News Torts Disputes], Zhongguo Qingnian Bao [China Youth Daily], Feb. 11, 2002, at 7.

Date of publication as shown on cover

Page #

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Cases

Name of case

Source (volume, reporter, start page)

Pincite

Name of ct & year of decision

Smith v. Jones, 123 P.3d 554, 558 (N.M. Ct. App. 2004)

Basic style for U.S.:

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U.S. Supreme Court

• Jones v. Smith, 123 U.S. 512 (1982).

– Official Reporter: United States Reports

– Court omitted because obvious from reporter.

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U.S. Court of Appeals:

• Smith v. Jones, 123 F.3d 912 (7th Cir. 1992)

– Reporter: Federal Reporter (F., F.2d, F.3d)

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U.S. District Court:

1. Smith v. Jones, 123 F. Supp. 912 (D. Idaho 1996)

2. Kelly v. Duran, 234 F. Supp. 123 (E.D.N.Y. 2003)

– Reporter: Federal Supplement (F. Supp., F. Supp. 2d)

– How abbreviate state name? T.10

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State Courts

Chaudhary v. Gen. Motors Corp.,

649 P.2d 224

(Cal. Ct. App. 1982).

Case name

Reporter

State, Ct., Year

35

P. N.W. S.W. N.E. S. S.E. A.

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Which Reporter to Cite?

• Cite to West regional reporter if therein.• Otherwise, cite to state’s official reporter.• See T.2 for reporters by state.• Documents filed with state cts may require

“parallel citations,” but not necessary in memos or scholarly writing.

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Case Names1. Case name in italics

2. Shorten case name by:

a. List only first party on each side of the “v.”

b. For individual, list only surname.

c. Abbreviate words per T.6, geographical units per T.10, but never abbreviate “United States” (i.e., the gov’t) if it is a party).

3. E.g.: How would you write this case name? Samuel Silverstein and Nettie Silverstein v. United States Gypsum Company

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Parenthetical Information

Dissenting or concurring

Subsequent history of case (rev’d, aff’d).

Smith v. Jones, 123 P.3d 554, 558 (N.M. Ct. App. 2004) (Katz, J., dissenting), rev’d, 125 P.3d 558 (N.M. 2005).

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PRC Case Format:

Zhong Tian Int'l Co. v. Shanghai Bi Chun Trade Dev’p Co., 31 Zhonghua Renmin Gongheguo Zui Gao Renmin Fayuan Gong Bao [Sup. People’s Ct. Gaz.] 70, May 30, 1992, at 26 (Sup. People’s Ct.,April 13, 1992).

Case Name

Source

Pincite

Court

Date of decision

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Douglas Gantenbein, Mad Cows Come Home, Slate, Jan. 5, 2004, http://slate.msn.com/id/20939.pdf.

Format the citation like the analogous offline source (e.g., case or periodical). Append the complete URL at the end of the citation.

Slate is like an online periodical, so use similar format.

Internet sources

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If there is no “analogous” offline source (e.g., blog, company homepage), format like this:

Stella Smith,

Review of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

12

(Sept. 29, 2005),

http://www.moviereviews.com/10465.pdf.

Author

Title

Pincite (if any)

Date

URL

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Show “last visited” date if Internet material is undated:

Du Shugui Yu Ri Bei Tiqi Gongsu [Public Prosecution Commenced Against Du Shugui], Minzhu Luntan [Democratic Forum], http://www.asiademo.org/123b.htm (last visited Oct. 7, 2006).

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Don’t cite just to the Internet for a source widely available in print, but parallel citations OK:

Marcel Kahan, Corporate Constitutionalism, 152 U. Pa. L. Rev. 345 (2003), available at http://ssrn.com/abstract=416605.

Indicates second way to locate the source.

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Introductory Signals(Bluebook Rule 1.2)

A signal sends a shorthand message to the reader about the relationship between the proposition stated and the source cited.

•Indicate support: [no signal], see, cf.

•Indicate contradiction: contra, but see, but cf.

•Sometimes e.g. tags along.

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[no signal]Use [no signal] if source directly states the proposition of the text or to identify the source of a quotation.

Example 1: New York does not recognize a common law right to privacy.72

----------------------

72 Roberson v. Smith….

Example 2: “Educational segregation deprives minority children of equal educational opportunities.”73 ---------------73 Brown v. Board of Educ….

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Use see where the source stands for the proposition of preceding sentence but not explicitly. Parenthetical explanation usually helpful.

Example 1: Utah does not recognize a common law right to privacy.44

-------------------

44 See Stevens v. Jones … (complaint seeking damages for unauthorized publicity of plaintiff’s portrait dismissed for failure to state a claim).

See

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Example 2: Because Jones did not act intentionally or recklessly, she is not guilty of criminal contempt.22

-------22 See Yellow v. Orange, 100 F. Supp. 58 (S.D.N.Y. 1951).

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Example 3: A conference of this type does not constitute a “meeting” under the Sunshine Law.13

--------------------13 See Mitchell v. Sch. Bd. of Leon Cty. … (holding the Sunshine Law inapplicable to meetings between the superintendent and the school board’s attorney).

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Cf. means "compare." Use it with authorities that support your proposition by analogy or demonstrate a related point. Include an explanatory parenthetical.

Example 1: Racial segregation in public schools violates the Fourteenth Amendment.13

--------------------

13 Brown v. Board of Educ…. Cf. Bolling v. Sharpe … (holding that segregation in District of Columbia schools also violates Fifth Amendment).

Cf.

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Example 2: NPC’s powers include the authority to enact all "basic laws" (jiben fa).22

--------------------22 Xian Fa, supra note 8, art. 62. cf. Perry Keller, Legislation in the People's Republic of China, 23 U. Brit. Colum. L. Rev. 653, 661 (1989) (stating that although "basic law" is not defined in China's constitution, "[i]t is generally accepted as referring to statutes... which have a fundamental effect on the whole of society").

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Contra

Opposite of “[no signal].” Cited authority directly states the contrary of the proposition.

Example: Boston University law students are the most motivated students in the country.54 ----------------54 See Ronald Cass, BU Rules, 83 B.U. L. Rev. 1009, 1010 (2003). Contra Joan Wexler, Brooklyn Law Students Most Motivated in Country, 69 Brook. L. Rev. 345 (2003).

52

But seeOpposite of “see.” Cited authority directly contrary to proposition but not explicitly.

Example: This type of conference does not constitute a “meeting” under the Sunshine Law.22

----------22 But see Mitchell v. Sch. Bd. of Leon Cty., … (holding the Sunshine Law applicable to meetings between the superintendent and the school board’s attorney).

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But cf.Opposite of “cf.” It signifies an authority that supports a proposition analogous to the contrary of the main proposition. Again, a parenthetical explanation is “strongly recommended.”

Example: Racial segregation in public schools violates the Fourteenth Amendment.22

-----------22Brown v. Board of Educ… But cf. Bolling v. Sharpe (holding that segregation in District of Columbia schools does not violate Fifth Amendment).

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E.g. may tag alongE.g. can be used with any other signal.

Most state statutes require that the defendant act intentionally or recklessly.22 A defendant, therefore, should not be guilty if he acted negligently.23

----------22See, e.g., N.Y. Penal Law § 50 (McKinney 1980); Or. Rev. Stat. § 32 (1985).23See, e.g., Blue v. Green, 400 F.2d 12 (7th Cir. 1972) (defendant “just careless”); Gold v. Brass, 394 F.2d 42 (D.C. Cir. 1971) (defendant “merely inadvertent”).

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Short Form Citations

“Id.”(Bluebook Rule 4.1)

• Use “id.” when citing the immediately preceding authority:

[text] Chalfin v. Specter, 233 A.2d 562 (Pa. 1967). [text] Id. at 563.

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for Cases

• Long citation: Palsgraf v. Long Island R.R. Co., 162 N.E. 99 (N.Y. 1928)

• Short form citations:

1. Id. at 101 (only to refer to immediately preceding authority).

2. Palsgraf, 162 N.E. at 101 (use first party’s name as long as not a common litigant).

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for Books & Periodicals

• Id. at 32 (immediately following full cite)• Levin, supra note 10, at 95 (not immediately

following). If the piece you are writing doesn’t use footnotes, delete the words “note 10”.

(“Ibid.” is used in Australia and Canada, but

is not Bluebook style.)

58

Formatting

Spacing for Abbreviations (6.1(a))

• Close up all adjacent single capitals or single capitals and numbers: N.W., S.D.N.Y., P.2d

• Don’t close up single capitals with longer abbreviations: D._Mass., F._Supp., S._Ct.

• In periodical names, close up adjacent capitals, except set off those referring to place or institution: B.C._L._Rev., N.Y.U._L._Rev.

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Section

• § = section; §§ = sections.

• In citations, use the “§” symbol.

• In the text, spell out “section.”

• Note the spacing: 8 U.S.C.§4-21-8.� �

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Pinpoint Cites for Multiple Pages or FNs(Bluebook Rule 3.3(d))

1. Spanning multiple pages: 426 U.S. 529, 531-546

2. Nonconsecutive pages: 436 U.S. 529, 531, 533

3. Footnote: 436 U.S. 529, 531 n.90.4. Multiple footnotes: 436 U.S. 529, nn.90-

915. Page & footnote on different page: 436

U.S. 529, 531 & 533 n.90

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Capitalization in Headings & Titles(Bluebook rule 8)

• Capitalize the initial word• Capitalize the word immediately following a

colon• Capitalize all other words except

– Articles (a, an, the)– Conjunctions (connect words, clauses, or sentences)

of 4 or fewer letters (so that, as long as, as if, and, but, or, for, of, both … and, who, that…)

– Prepositions (link verb/noun with another) of 4 or fewer letters (at, by, from, in, into, of, on, to, with…) 

62

Related Authority(Bluebook Rule 1.6(d))

• What if you want to cite Source A, which in turn cites or discusses Source B?

• Always take a look at Source B yourself to make sure it is accurately described in Source A.

• Write the citation like either of the following:

• 21 U.S.C. § 61 (1994), quoted in Milnot Co. v. Richardson, 350 F. Supp. 221 (S.D. Ill. 1972).

• Milnot Co. v. Richardson, 350 F. Supp. 221 (S.D. Ill. 1972) (quoting 21 U.S.C. § 61 (1994)).

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Quotations

64

Accuracy Counts!

• Quote accurately, including spelling, capitalization, punctuation.

65

Short Quotations

• If quotation < 50 words, place in double quotation marks, but do not set if off from the text.

66

Punctuation in Short Quotes

• Place periods and commas inside the quotation marks – even if they are not part of the original quotation.

• Place all other punctuation outside of the quotation marks unless the punctuation is part of the original quotation.

67

Longer Quotations

If a quotation is >= 50 words, it should be

block-indented and single-spaced.

1. Do not use quotation marks at the beginning or the end of the block quotation.

2. The block quote should be separated from text (above and below) by a double space.

3. The indentation should be one tab on both the right and the left.

4. The citation is not part of the block quote.

68

Longer Quotations

• Retain the paragraphing of the original source. In other words, further indent the first line of a ¶.

69

Quotations within Quotations:

Short Quotations• Use single quotation marks to

designate a quotation within a quotation in a short quotation.–“The court held that the

defendant was ‘completely out of order.’”

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Quotations within Quotations

Longer Quotations• Use double quotation marks to designate a

quotation within a quotation in a block indented quotation.– The court held that the unruly defendant was

“completely out of order” when the defendant banged his fists on the table and yelled several obscenities in the jury’s direction. Because of the defendant’s conduct, and refusal to stop when asked, the court held the defendant in criminal contempt of court.

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Altering Quoted Material

• Enclose an altered letter in square brackets

– Original = “The court held”– Modified = Moreover, “[t]he court held”

– Original = “In the latter event, the court held”– Modified = “[T]he court held”

72

Adding, Changing, or Deleting One or More Letters

• Enclose added, changed, or deleted material in square brackets. – Original = state– Modified = state[d]

• Indicate an omission of one or more letters by inserting empty brackets.– Original = stated– Modified = state[ ]

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Substituting or Adding Words:

• Instead of altering one letter, it sometimes makes more sense just to replace the entire word.

• If you substitute or add words to a quotation, enclose those words in square brackets.– Original = “The court held for Mr. Jamison.”– Modified = “The court held for [the

defendant].”

74

Altering Typeface• If you add or delete italics, say so in a

parenthetical that follows the citation.– (emphasis added). – (emphasis omitted). – (second emphasis added).

75

Mistakes within Original Quoted Material

• Original material may contain mistakes, such as spelling and grammatical errors.– You may [correct] all mistakes and place

square brackets around the corrections you made.

– You may uze [sic] to note the error appears in the original.

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Omissions within Quoted Material:

• Use an ellipsis to indicate the omission of one or more words (^.^.^.^ ).– ^ = one space– Note the space before the first period.– Space after last period unless followed by a close

quotation mark: . . .”

77

When Not to Use an Ellipsis

• Do not use an ellipsis before or after a quote that is obviously incomplete sentence (i.e., there is text on either side of the quoted material) in the context in which it is used.– The Supreme Court held that while “students are

entitled to freedom of expression of their views,” they may not engage in a type of expression that materially and substantially interferes with schoolwork or discipline.

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Beginning a Quotation

• Original = “But, in our system, undifferentiated fear or apprehension”

• Modified correctly = “[I]n our system, undifferentiated fear or apprehension”

• Do not use an ellipsis at the beginning of your sentence. Not: “. . . [I]n our system, undifferentiated fear or apprehension”

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No Ellipses - Continued

• Do not use an ellipsis at the end of a block quotation that concludes with a grammatically complete sentence.

• Do not use an ellipsis to indicate the omission of a footnote or citation.– However, this type of omission should be

noted in a parenthetical after the citation.– Smith v. Jones, 145 F.3d 1, 5 (2d Cir.

1999) (footnote omitted).

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Using Ellipses

• When the end of a quoted sentence is omitted, insert an ellipsis and the final punctuation.

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Example

• Original sentence: We hold today that the Sixth Amendment's right of an accused to confront the witnesses against him is likewise a fundamental right and is made obligatory on the States by the Fourteenth Amendment.

• Omissions: “[T]he Sixth Amendment’s right of an accused to confront the witness against him is^.^.^.^a fundamental right^.^.^.^.”^^

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When the Quote Continues

• When the last word ends the quoted sentence, do not use an ellipsis unless the quotation continues. If the quotation does continue, insert the ellipsis, then the final punctuation.

• “Quoted sentence ends.^.^.^.^^One or more sentences are deleted, and another quoted sentence begins.”

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Omitting One or More Paragraphs

• Place the ellipsis on its own line.

• Center the ellipsis.

• Put five spaces between each ellipsis point.

.^^^^^.^^^^^.