How to Cite a Legal Case in OSCOLA (4th Edition)

This guide explains how to format a legal case citation in OSCOLA (4th 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 OSCOLA (4th Edition):

Template

*Case Name* [Year] Report Abbreviation Page

In-Text Citation Example

How the citation appears within the body of your paper:

In-text citation

See footnote 15 (superscript in text).

Reference List Entry Example

The full citation as it appears in your reference list:

Reference list entry

*Donoghue v Stevenson* [1932] AC 562

Step-by-Step Guide

1
Write the case name
Italicise the case name. Use 'v' (not 'vs' or 'v.') to separate the parties.
2
Determine the year format
Use square brackets [Year] when the year is essential to locating the report (e.g., AC, QB). Use round brackets (Year) when the volume number is sufficient (e.g., numbered volumes of the All England Reports).
3
Add the report abbreviation
Write the standard abbreviation for the law report series (e.g., AC, QB, WLR, UKSC). Do not use full stops in the abbreviation.
4
Include the page number
Write the first page of the report. For a specific paragraph, add the paragraph number in square brackets after the page: [1932] AC 562 [15].
5
Add neutral citations if available
For cases from 2001 onwards, include the neutral citation before the law report citation: *Smith v Jones* [2024] UKSC 12, [2024] 2 WLR 345.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using round brackets instead of square brackets for the year when the year is part of the report citation.
Not italicising the case name.
Adding a comma between the case name and the year — OSCOLA uses no comma.
Including the court name when it is obvious from the report abbreviation.
Ending the citation with a full stop.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do I use square brackets vs round brackets for the year?

Use square brackets [Year] when the year is needed to find the volume (e.g., [2024] AC). Use round brackets (Year) when the report series has independent volume numbering (e.g., (2024) 150 NLJ 234). This is a critical OSCOLA distinction.

How do I cite a case with a neutral citation?

Place the neutral citation first, then the law report citation: *R v Smith* [2024] EWCA Crim 123, [2024] 1 WLR 456. The neutral citation identifies the case by court and number, independent of any report series.

How do I cite a specific paragraph in a case?

Add the paragraph number in square brackets after the page number: *Donoghue v Stevenson* [1932] AC 562 [10]. For pinpoint references in footnotes, this replaces the older page-based pinpoint system.

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

Italicise the case name. Use 'v' (not 'vs' or 'v.') to separate the parties.

Determine the year format

Use square brackets [Year] when the year is essential to locating the report (e.g., AC, QB). Use round brackets (Year) when the volume number is sufficient (e.g., numbered volumes of the All England Reports).

Add the report abbreviation

Write the standard abbreviation for the law report series (e.g., AC, QB, WLR, UKSC). Do not use full stops in the abbreviation.

Include the page number

Write the first page of the report. For a specific paragraph, add the paragraph number in square brackets after the page: [1932] AC 562 [15].

Add neutral citations if available

For cases from 2001 onwards, include the neutral citation before the law report citation: *Smith v Jones* [2024] UKSC 12, [2024] 2 WLR 345.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using round brackets instead of square brackets for the year when the year is part of the report citation.

Not italicising the case name.

Adding a comma between the case name and the year — OSCOLA uses no comma.

Including the court name when it is obvious from the report abbreviation.

Ending the citation with a full stop.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do I use square brackets vs round brackets for the year?

How do I cite a case with a neutral citation?

How do I cite a specific paragraph in a case?

Add the paragraph number in square brackets after the page number: *Donoghue v Stevenson* [1932] AC 562 [10]. For pinpoint references in footnotes, this replaces the older page-based pinpoint system.