How to Cite a Legal Case in IEEE

This guide explains how to format a legal case citation in IEEE. 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 IEEE:

Template

[1] *Case Name*, Vol. Reporter Page (Court Year).

In-Text Citation Example

How the citation appears within the body of your paper:

In-text citation

[1]

Reference List Entry Example

The full citation as it appears in your reference list:

Reference list entry

[1] *Alice Corp. v. CLS Bank International*, 573 U.S. 208 (2014).

Step-by-Step Guide

1
Assign a reference number
Use the next sequential number in square brackets.
2
Write the case name
Italicise the full case name, including 'v.' between the party names.
3
Add the volume and reporter
Include the volume number, the reporter abbreviation (e.g., U.S., F.3d, S. Ct.), and the first page number.
4
Include the court and year
Place the court (if not obvious from the reporter) and the year in parentheses at the end.
5
Add a URL (if applicable)
If accessed online, you may add '[Online]. Available:' followed by the URL.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not italicising the case name.
Omitting the volume number before the reporter abbreviation.
Forgetting to include the court and year in parentheses.
Using the wrong reporter abbreviation.
Not including the first page number of the case in the reporter.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I cite legal cases in an IEEE paper?

Legal cases are cited in IEEE papers primarily in the context of patent law, intellectual property, or regulatory discussions relevant to engineering and technology.

Which reporter should I use for US Supreme Court cases?

Use the official United States Reports (U.S.) when available. Alternatively, use the Supreme Court Reporter (S. Ct.) or Lawyers' Edition (L. Ed.).

How do I cite a case from a court outside the US in IEEE?

Follow the citation conventions of that jurisdiction. Include the case name (italicised), the report or neutral citation, and the court and year.

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

Assign a reference number

Use the next sequential number in square brackets.

Write the case name

Italicise the full case name, including 'v.' between the party names.

Add the volume and reporter

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

Include the court and year

Place the court (if not obvious from the reporter) and the year in parentheses at the end.

Add a URL (if applicable)

If accessed online, you may add '[Online]. Available:' followed by the URL.