Skip to Main Content

Referencing

Need help with referencing styles? Start with this helpful guide.

Legal cases

Reference list

Party v Party (Year) volume number Report series abbreviation page number.

Roadshow Films Pty Ltd v iiNet Ltd (2012) 248 CLR 42.

In-text

Roadshow Films Pty Ltd v iiNet Ltd (2012) 248 CLR 42 at 45

When the case has a popular name, in the first instance in-text cite in full. After that you can use the popular name.

in Cole v Whitfield (1988) 165 CLR 360 (the Crayfish Case) at 366 the.....       ..... the Crayfish Case also shows.....

Notes

  • Cases should be referenced as if in print even if viewed electronically
  • Include the year with the first in-text citation. The year can be dropped in subsequent citations
  • When a specific page reference is necessary, the word at is used instead of the abbreviation for page
  • Report series abbreviated is the abbreviation of the name of the Report Series e.g. CLR for Commonwealth Law Reports, FLR for Federal Law Reports, VR for Victorian Reports
  • Page number is the page on which the report of the case begins
  • The party names are always in italics

Legislation

Reference list

Short title of Act Year (Jurisdiction) section if relevant.

Fair Work Act 2009 (Cwth).

Crimes Act 1958 (Vic).

In-text

The Fair Work Act 2009 (Cwth), s. 35 provides meaning as to the …

Victoria's Crimes Act 1958 states in Part II that....

Notes

  • Include the jurisdiction the first time the act is cited. The jurisdiction can be dropped with subsequent citations
  • Bills are cited the same as acts but the title is not in italics
  • Titles of Acts of the parliaments of other countries should be presented in roman type (not italicised), e.g. The Sale of Goods Act 2000 (UK)
  • Acts should be referenced as if in print even if viewed electronically