Bluebook Guide: Case Names

Whitepages

Use the case name appearing at the beginning of the opinion or decision in the cited reporter and pay attention to R10.2.1, pp. 97-103 for specific directions and examples.  Always keep the first word in each party’s name in full (including a relator) subject to assorted exceptions as set forth through The Bluebook.  For extremely long case names, omit unnecessary words for identification.  The short identifier printed at the top of each page of the case (or "the running head") may serve as a guide.

The only significant differences between case names in textual sentences and case names in citations are the italicization (R2) and the extent to which the case name is abbreviated. The provisions of R10.2.1 apply to every case name, whether in text or citations, but case names in citations are further abbreviated according to R10.2.2.

Bluepages

The proper citation method for court documents is set forth in B10, pp. 11-18.  These pages are also full of "Bluepages Tips," like underlining (or italicizing) the entire case name up to but not including the comma following the case name.

Under R10.2.1(h), p. 101, designations like “Inc.,” “Ltd.,” “L.L.C.,” “N.A.,” “F.S.B.,” among other similar terms, will be omitted if the name also contains a word such as “Ass’n,” “Bros.,” “Co.,” “Corp.,” “Ins.,” or “R.R.,” all of which clearly indicate that the party is a business firm.  Importantly, this rule is narrowly construed.  Only omit the pertinent designation if the business's name could not be mistaken for the name of some other entity.

The Bluebook directs that a union name must be cited exactly as it appears in an official reporter, subject to some exceptions.  See R10.2.1(i), p. 101, for examples.

• Cite only the smallest unit.
• The first full craft or industry designation will be cited (rather than superfluous designations)
• Widely recognized abbreviations of the union's name may be used (e.g., AFL, IBEW, UAW).
• Omit all prepositional phrases of location (including national or larger areas).

Per R10.2.1(j), p. 101, the Commissioner of Internal Revenue may be cited simply as “Commissioner” or, in citations, “Comm’r.”

Abbreviate the following common procedural phrases using ex rel or In re.

• ex rel:  “on the relation of,” “for the use of,” “on behalf of,” “as next friend of,” and similar expressions.
• In re:  “in the matter of,” “petition of,” “application of,” and similar expressions

Omit all procedural phrases except the first.  When adversary parties are named, omit all procedural phrases except “ex rel.”

Include any introductory or descriptive phrases such as “Accounting of,” “Estate of,” and “Will of.”

• In re Will of Abreu
• Estate of Anderson v. Commissioner

Procedural phrases must be consistently rendered in italics.  This rule applies regardless of the italicization status of the remainder of the case name.  

• Ex parte Smith

In textual sentences, whether in the main text or footnote text, abbreviate only widely known acronyms under R6.1(b), pp. 87-89.  Importantly, the following eight words are abbreviated, unless one of these eight begins a party’s name.

Generally, “State of,” “Commonwealth of,” and “People of,” should be omitted. 

• Illinois v. Wardlow, 528 U.S. 119 (2000)
• Florida v. Royer, 460 U.S. 491 (1983)

However,  an exception exists when citing decisions of the courts of that particular state.  In such a case, only “State,” “Commonwealth,” or “People” will be retained.

• People v. Haynes, 501 Mich. 863 (2017)
• People v. Haynes. 281 Mich. Ct. App. 27 (2008)

“City of,” “County of,” “Village of,” and “Township of,” among other expressions should be omitted. 

• Mayor of Chicago v. Smith (rather than Mayor of the City of Chicago v. Smith)
• Brown v. Mayor of Waukegan 

An exception exists if unless the expression begins a party name.

• McDonald v. City of Chicago
• City of Chicago v. Morales

All prepositional phrases indicating location that do not follow "City" or similar terms should be omitted, unless removing them would leave only one word in the party's name or if the location is part of the complete name of a business or similar entity.

• Davis v. Board of Examiners (rather than Davis v. Board of Examiners of the City of Evanston)
• Young v. Bank of North Chicago
• Smith v. Mutual of Omaha

Importantly, The Bluebook provides this specific example:

Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey

The foregoing example seems to align with the direction to include designations of national or larger geographical areas.  Notable exceptions exist for union names (see below) and for omitting “of America” after “United States.”

• Jackson v. People's Republic of China
• United States v. Bank of America

Keep geographical designations that are not introduced by a preposition.

• Oliver v. Michigan Department of Corrections
• Miller v. Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles

Geographical designations following a comma should be omitted.

• Mayor of Chicago v. Smith (rather than Mayor of the City of Chicago, Ill. v. Smith)
• Brown v. Mayor of Waukegan  (rather than Brown v. Mayor of Waukegan, Ill.) 

Omit "The" as the first word of a party's name, except when it is part of the name of the object of an in rem action or when "The King" or "The Queen" is a party.  For example:

• The Queen v. Lydon
• In re The Thames Bridge

If “The” is in an established popular name, do not omit it.

• The Civil Rights Cases, 109 U.S. 3 (1883).
• The Zoot Suit Riot Cases, 100 Cal. 1 (1943).

If the case is referred to in the text of the article, then omit "The."

• The holdings in Dred Scott and the Civil Rights Cases were flawed.