Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
- Keyword
Articles 1 - 6 of 6
Full-Text Articles in Law
A New Bluebook, K.K. Duvivier
A New Bluebook, K.K. Duvivier
Sturm College of Law: Faculty Scholarship
In late August 2000, the Seventeenth Edition of The Bluebook' hit the shelves of lawschool bookstores across the country. Only a few first-year students have an inkling of what this unassuming, spiral-bound paperback has in store for them. However, savvy second and third-year students know to check the Preface for changes from previous editions. The Preface to the Seventeenth Edition2 lists fifteen "noteworthy" changes from the Sixteenth Edition. Here are six that may have the most impact on practitioners.
String Citations-Part Ii, K.K. Duvivier
String Citations-Part Ii, K.K. Duvivier
Sturm College of Law: Faculty Scholarship
However, string citations can be useful in some situations. For example, you may wish to use a string citation if you need to illustrate that there is a trend of authorities or that more than one case or jurisdiction supports the proposition you urge. String citations also are helpful when readers expect a comprehensive treatment of authorities.
String Citations-Part I, K.K. Duvivier
String Citations-Part I, K.K. Duvivier
Sturm College of Law: Faculty Scholarship
Whenever you list more than one authority to support the same legal proposition, you are using a "string citation." The name arises from the impression that the writer is "stringing" together several citations. In a string citation, each authority follows the next in a proscribed order: (1) by strength of authority (primary before secondary, enacted law before case law); (2) by jurisdiction (federal before state, alphabetically among states); (3) by rank of court (highest to lowest court); and (4) by date (reverse chronological with most recent first).' Semi-colons are placed between each authority.
Legal Citations For The Twenty-First Century, K.K. Duvivier
Legal Citations For The Twenty-First Century, K.K. Duvivier
Sturm College of Law: Faculty Scholarship
True, a judge probably won't rule against you if your cites are wrong, but faulty cites do reflect poorly on you.' First, like good manners, proper citations illustrate both your knowledge of the rules of etiquette for legal writing and your precision in following those rules. If your citations are sloppy, some readers may presume that your research and reasoning were done in a similarly uninformed and careless fashion.
Pesky Citations, K.K. Duvivier
Pesky Citations, K.K. Duvivier
Sturm College of Law: Faculty Scholarship
Constant citation to legal authorities presents a unique problem for legal writers. Although these authorities are necessary to the analysis, integrating them can interrupt the flow of the writing, or more significantly, can obscure the meaning. Law reviews have chosen to use footnotes to address this problem. But footnotes create their own form of vertical interruption,' and many courts discourage their use in briefs. This article addresses some of the difficulties created by these pesky citations and suggests some solutions for incorporating them more smoothly.
Details, Details: Questions From Readers, K.K. Duvivier
Details, Details: Questions From Readers, K.K. Duvivier
Sturm College of Law: Faculty Scholarship
Readers frequently send me questions about word usage. The Bluebook states that one should consult the US. Government Printing Office Style Manual (1984) or The Chicago Manual of Style (13th rev. ed. 1982) for questions on usage, but these sources do not always address the confusion writers encounter. One of my favorite sources for quick answers on these questions is a dictionary-style reference called Legal Writing: Getting It Right and Getting It Written.