How to Cite a Report in OSCOLA (4th Edition)

This guide explains how to format a report 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 report in OSCOLA (4th Edition):

Template

Institution, Title (Report Number, Year)

In-Text Citation Example

How the citation appears within the body of your paper:

In-text citation

See footnote 7 (superscript in text).

Reference List Entry Example

The full citation as it appears in your reference list:

Reference list entry

Law Commission, Reform of Offences against the Person (Law Com No 361, 2015)

Step-by-Step Guide

1
Identify the author or organisation
Write the full organisational name (no abbreviation required in OSCOLA unless well-established).
2
Write the report title
Italicise the report title. Use title case.
3
Add document number and year
In parentheses, write the document number (using 'No' without a full stop) and the year separated by a comma. Do not end with a full stop.
4
Include URL if online
For online reports, add the URL in angle brackets followed by 'accessed Day Month Year' before the closing punctuation.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not italicising the report title.
Adding 'No.' with a full stop (OSCOLA writes 'No' without a full stop).
Omitting the document number.
Ending the citation with a full stop.
Adding a comma between the document number and year inside the parenthetical.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does OSCOLA require the report number?

Yes, where available. Include the official document or publication number in the parenthetical after the title.

Does OSCOLA use full stops after abbreviations like 'No'?

No. OSCOLA generally omits full stops after abbreviations. Write 'No' not 'No.' for number.

Information You Will Need

Before creating your citation, gather the following information from your report:

Author(s) or Organization
Year of publication
Title of report
Report number (if applicable)
Publisher or issuing organization
URL or DOI

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Step-by-Step Guide

Identify the author or organisation

Write the full organisational name (no abbreviation required in OSCOLA unless well-established).

Write the report title

Italicise the report title. Use title case.

Add document number and year

In parentheses, write the document number (using 'No' without a full stop) and the year separated by a comma. Do not end with a full stop.

Include URL if online

For online reports, add the URL in angle brackets followed by 'accessed Day Month Year' before the closing punctuation.