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An Introduction to The Bluebook

Overview

Rule 12 covers how to cite statutes, including those codified in official/unofficial codes (i.e., arranged by subject) and those published as session laws arranged by date of enactment.

  • Rule 12.2.1 prefers citation of statutes currently in force to the current official code (e.g., the United States Code), if available. If that's not possible, you may cite, in order of preference, to: unofficial codes (e.g., United States Code Annotated; United States Code Service), official session laws, privately published session laws, commercial electronic databases, looseleaf services, authenticated internet sources, or even newspapers.
  • Rule 12.3 clarifies how to cite to official and unofficial federal and state codes. Citation to the official code is preferred, if available. Use Tables T1.1 (federal) and T1.3 (states and District of Columbia) for proper abbreviations and jurisdiction-specific citation practices.
  • Rule 12.3.2 continues the rule from the 21st edition of The Bluebook: no year is required for federal code citations. For state statutes, include the year as directed by Rule 12.5 and Table T1.3. 
  • Rule 12.5(a) governs citations to statutes in commercial electronic databases (e.g., Westlaw, Lexis). These must include currency information:
    • In Westlaw, currency information typically appears at the bottom of the page when viewing a statute.
    • In Lexis+, currently information typically appears at the top of the page when viewing a statute, just below the citation.
  • Rule 12.5(b) applies to internet sources. If a state or municipal statute is published officially online, or if it's a reliable, exact digital copy of the print, citation to that version is permitted. Refer also to Rule 18.2.2 for guidance on citing authenticated online sources. Use tools like Perma.cc to preserve access. 
  • Rule 12.10 governs short form citations for statutes. Acceptable short forms includes just the section number (if unambiguous), the code abbreviation and section number, or the name of a distinctive act. Context matters.
Source Type Full Citation Short Form Citation(s)
Official United States Code (print) 42 U.S.C. § 201. 42 U.S.C. § 201.
or
§ 201.
Unofficial United States Code Annotated (Westlaw)

42 U.S.C.A. § 201 (Westlaw through Pub. L. No. 116-193).

Note: This statute had the following currency information in Westlaw at the time of citation:

42 U.S.C.A. § 201.
or
§ 201.
California Labor Code (Lexis)

Cᴀʟ. Lᴀʙ. Cᴏᴅᴇ § 6352 (Deering, LEXIS through 2020 Sess.).

Note: This statute had the following currency information in Lexis at the time of citation:

 Lᴀʙ. § 6352.

 

Changes in the 22nd Edition

While not exhaustive, the list below summarizes some of the most notable updates to Rule 12 in the 22nd edition of The Bluebook:

  • Expanded guidance on citing to unofficial codes like U.S.C.A. and U.S.C.S. when they are more current that the official U.S.C. (See Rules 12.2.1(a) and 12.3.1.)
  • Greater emphasis on citing authenticated or official electronic sources, such as statutes from govinfo.gov or authenticated state websites (See Rule 12.5(b) and cross-reference Rule 18.2.2.)
  • Broader permission to use short-form citations, especially when citing well-known statutes by name (e.g., the Americans with Disabilities Act), even without a prior full citation in some contexts (See Rules 12.10(d) and 12.10(e).