How to Cite a Legal Case in CSE (8th Edition)

This guide explains how to format a legal case citation in CSE (8th Edition). 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 CSE (8th Edition):

Template

Case name, Volume Reporter Page (Court Year). [accessed Year Mon Day]. URL.

In-Text Citation Example

How the citation appears within the body of your paper:

In-text citation

(Brown v Board of Education 1954)

Reference List Entry Example

The full citation as it appears in your reference list:

Reference list entry

Brown v Board of Education, 347 US 483 (1954). [accessed 2026 Mar 28]. https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/347/483/.

Step-by-Step Guide

1
Write the case name
Write the party names separated by 'v'. Do not italicize.
2
Add the reporter information
Include the volume number, reporter abbreviation, and starting page.
3
Include the court and year
In parentheses, include the court name (if needed) and year.
4
Add access date and URL
Include the access date in square brackets and the URL. End with a period.
5
Format for CSE conventions
Use sentence case and avoid unnecessary punctuation. CSE prefers minimal formatting.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Italicizing the case name (CSE does not use italics).
Adding periods in the reporter abbreviation (CSE style would write 'US' not 'U.S.').
Forgetting the access date for cases accessed online.
Using headline-style capitalization.
Not ending the URL with a period.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does CSE italicize case names?

No. CSE does not use italics for any element, including case names.

Are legal cases common in CSE-style papers?

Legal cases are uncommon in scientific papers but may appear in environmental science, bioethics, or public health policy papers.

How does CSE differ from Bluebook for legal citations?

CSE uses a simplified format compared to Bluebook. CSE does not use italics, small capitals, or the detailed abbreviation rules of Bluebook. CSE also requires an access date for online sources.

Information You Will Need

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

Case Name
Volume
Reporter
Page
Court
Year

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Step-by-Step Guide

Write the case name

Write the party names separated by 'v'. Do not italicize.

Add the reporter information

Include the volume number, reporter abbreviation, and starting page.

Include the court and year

In parentheses, include the court name (if needed) and year.

Add access date and URL

Include the access date in square brackets and the URL. End with a period.

Format for CSE conventions

Use sentence case and avoid unnecessary punctuation. CSE prefers minimal formatting.