Legal Research & Citation Methods Flashcards

In Bluebook citation format, which typeface is used for case names in law review footnotes?

Answer: Italics

Case names in law review footnotes are italicized under Bluebook rules.

Which database is the primary source for retrieving federal administrative regulations currently in force?

Answer: Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)

The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) contains codified, currently effective federal administrative regulations.

What does a negative Shepard's or KeyCite symbol on a case indicate?

Answer: The case has been overruled or its authority negatively affected

A negative treatment symbol warns that the case has been overruled, distinguished, or otherwise criticized in a way that undermines its authority.

When citing a law review article using the Bluebook, what information must appear in the citation?

Answer: Author, title, volume, journal abbreviation, first page, and year

A proper Bluebook law review citation requires the author's name, article title, volume number, journal abbreviation, first page of the article, and year of publication.

A legal assistant needs the text of a bill introduced in Congress that has NOT yet been enacted into law. The best source is:

Answer: Congress.gov or THOMAS

Congress.gov (formerly THOMAS) provides full text of pending and recent legislation introduced in Congress.

Which of the following best describes the term 'mandatory authority'?

Answer: Authority a court is required to follow when deciding a case

Mandatory authority consists of controlling law—statutes and binding precedent from higher courts in the same jurisdiction—that a court must follow.

The West Key Number System is primarily useful for:

Answer: Locating cases on the same point of law across different reporters

West's Key Number System classifies points of law with numbers so researchers can find cases addressing the same legal issue across all West reporters.