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Bluebook 101

Basic information for getting started with The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation

Using this Update List

For each of the below rules, please find an explanation of any major changes to the rule between the 21st and 22nd editions of The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Legal Citation.

Each rule change will be explained in a chart like this:

Rule Rule Subject

Change

Explanation

 

In the "Change" Column, you'll see a symbol noting the type of change. Here is a key to those symbols:

📚 TERMINOLOGY Change

🆕 NEW rule added

💡CLARIFICATION or new clarifying example of an existing rule 

☠️ REMOVAL of a rule in the 21st edition

🔗 CROSS-REFERENCE update of which writers should be aware

 

Rule 19: Services

RULE 19 CHANGES IN 22ND EDITION: No Substantive Changes

Rule 20: Foreign Materials (Coming Soon!)

Rule 21: International Materials (Coming Soon!)

       
       
R21.4.5(a)(i) New preferred source to cite to for bilateral treaties to which the U.S. is a party

21st edition: "For agreements between the United States and another party, cite one of the following sources, in the following order of preference: U.S.T. (or Stat.); T.I.A.S. (or T.S., or E.A.S.); U.N.T.S.; Senate Treaty Documents or Senate Executive Documents; Department of State Dispatch; Department of State Press Releases."

22nd edition: "For agreements between the United States and another party, cite one of the following sources, in the following order of preference: U.S.T.I.F.; U.S.T. (or Stat.); T.I.A.S. (or T.S., or E.A.S.); U.N.T.S.; Senate Treaty Documents or Senate Executive Documents; Department of State Dispatch; Department of State Press Releases.