How to Cite a Legal Case in Chicago 17th Edition (Notes-Bibliography)

This guide explains how to format a legal case citation in Chicago 17th Edition (Notes-Bibliography). Follow the format template below, refer to the real example, and use the step-by-step instructions to build your citation correctly.

Format Template

The general pattern for citing a legal case in Chicago 17th Edition (Notes-Bibliography):

Template

Note: Case Name, Volume Reporter Page (Court Year), URL. Bibliography: Legal cases are typically cited only in notes, not in the bibliography.

In-Text Citation Example

How the citation appears within the body of your paper:

In-text citation

1. Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483 (1954).

Bibliography Entry Example

The full citation as it appears in your bibliography:

Bibliography entry

Legal cases are typically cited in notes only. If required: Brown v. Board of Education. 347 U.S. 483 (1954). https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/347/483/.

Step-by-Step Guide

1
Write the case name
Italicize the case name in the note. Use the standard legal case name (e.g., Brown v. Board of Education).
2
Add the reporter information
Include the volume number, reporter abbreviation (e.g., U.S., F.3d), and the first page of the opinion.
3
Include the court and year
In parentheses, include the court abbreviation (if not the highest court) and the year. For U.S. Supreme Court cases reported in U.S. Reports, only the year is needed.
4
Add the URL (if accessed online)
Include the URL if you accessed the case online. End with a period.
5
Decide on bibliography inclusion
Chicago recommends citing cases in notes only. If required, create a bibliography entry following the format shown in the reference example.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Including legal cases in the bibliography — Chicago generally cites them in notes only.
Not italicizing the case name in the note.
Omitting the court when it is not the highest court in the jurisdiction.
Forgetting the reporter volume and page numbers.
Using Bluebook formatting instead of Chicago formatting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do legal cases go in the Chicago bibliography?

Generally, no. Chicago style cites legal cases in footnotes or endnotes, not in the bibliography. If a case is frequently discussed, consult your publisher or instructor.

How does Chicago differ from Bluebook for legal citations?

Chicago is less prescriptive than Bluebook. It italicizes case names (Bluebook underlines or italicizes depending on context) and uses a simpler format. For legal scholarship, Bluebook is preferred.

How do I cite a dissenting or concurring opinion?

Cite the case as usual, then add the specific opinion: Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483 (1954) (Warren, C.J., majority opinion). Or note it in the text.

Information You Will Need

Before creating your citation, gather the following information from your legal case:

Case Name
Volume
Reporter
Page
Court
Year

Generate citations automatically with CiteDash

Stop formatting citations by hand. CiteDash automatically generates accurate Chicago 17th Edition (Notes-Bibliography) citations for all your sources while you research and write.

Start Free Trial More Chicago 17th Edition (Notes-Bibliography) Guides

Step-by-Step Guide

Write the case name

Italicize the case name in the note. Use the standard legal case name (e.g., Brown v. Board of Education).

Add the reporter information

Include the volume number, reporter abbreviation (e.g., U.S., F.3d), and the first page of the opinion.

Include the court and year

In parentheses, include the court abbreviation (if not the highest court) and the year. For U.S. Supreme Court cases reported in U.S. Reports, only the year is needed.

Add the URL (if accessed online)

Include the URL if you accessed the case online. End with a period.

Decide on bibliography inclusion

Chicago recommends citing cases in notes only. If required, create a bibliography entry following the format shown in the reference example.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Including legal cases in the bibliography — Chicago generally cites them in notes only.

Not italicizing the case name in the note.

Omitting the court when it is not the highest court in the jurisdiction.

Forgetting the reporter volume and page numbers.

Using Bluebook formatting instead of Chicago formatting.