How to cite a case

Bluebook (22d ed.) citation format, B10 / R10.

Bluebook (22d ed.) citation format for a case, governed by B10 / R10. Worked example, required elements, and the rules that apply.

Full case citation, including In re, parallel cites, and Westlaw/Lexis.

Example

Blystone v. Pennsylvania, 494 U.S. 299 (1990).

Governing rules

B10 / R10

• 10.2.2 — additional rules for case names in citations.
• T1.1 — reporter, court & jurisdiction.

Required elements

• Plaintiff / first party
• Volume
• Reporter
• First page
• Year

Optional elements

• Defendant / second party
• Pincite
• Court (if the reporter doesn't fix it)
• Reporter/editor name (early reporters) — R10.3.2: pre-1875 nominative reporters — “5 U.S. (1 Cranch) 137”.
• Parallel citation(s) — R10.3.1 / B10.1.3: separate multiple parallel cites with a semicolon.
• Explanatory parentheticals (one per line) — R10.6: weight-of-authority and explanatory parentheticals, in R1.5 order.

Build this citation with the generator, or paste a list of citations to check them all at once.