Online Bluebook

I know how much you all love the Bluebook.  Who doesn't?

Now you can get a Bluebook app for your iPhone or iPad (not sure when Android will be available).  It is part of the Rulebook app libraries - which also includes court rules and the ABA  Model Rules.  The app is free but you have to pay to access the Bluebook ($39.99) and other titles (court rules $0.99 - $2.99; ABA Model Rules $24.99).

You can also purchase web access to the Bluebook  at www.legalbluebook.com .

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Bluebook Format Options

As many of you know, the Bluebook is available in several formats including print, online and the newest addition is an app.  LLRX recently published an article entitled "Bluebook Technologies" discussing the features and pricing of each option.  Many of us might prefer the print but with the other options it is easy to have access anywhere (especially for busy law students) without having to lug the book around.  The article also provides a quick comparison chart for quick reference.  Click here for the full article.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Unpublished Opinions: The Saga Continues . . .

"Unpublished" opinions are not citable in many state courts, and they do not have precedential value in most federal courts. ("Unpublished" opinions are opinions that courts have not designated for publication, even though many of them are easily accessible.) There are sometimes pushes to change this state of affairs, but they usually don't have much success. For instance, a California attorney recently unsuccessfully sued the California court system in federal court to force them to allow citations to unpublished decisions. The attorney lost. A summary and the court's opinion are available here, on the Law Librarian Blog.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Index to Legal Abbreviations

Need to decipher a legal abbreviation? Check out the Cardiff Index to Legal Abbreviations. Just type your abbreviation into the "search by abbreviation" box and it will find the name of the publication publication for you.

Conversely, if you have the name of a common legal publication, type the name into the "search by title" box and it will find a recognized legal citations for you.


Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

CiteGenie

CiteGenie is a Firefox add-on that creates real Bluebook pinpoint citations from material you highlight in Westlaw. Normally, these kinds of features and applications aren't reliable, but CiteGenie received a good review here, so it may actually be worth trying.

(Of course, it should go without saying that if you never learn how to create citations, that will eventually be a problem for you.)


Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

The Bluebook: Have Your Say

The editors of The Bluebook are asking for advice to help them create the 19th edition. They have an online survey here and are also taking suggestions via email. The survey must be submitted by June 30.



Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat