Footnote number: Put a footnote number in superscript font size ten within the text (in-text citation) after the case name to show when you are using another person's ideas or words. This number directs the reader to a footnote at the bottom of the page, containing the full citation of the case.
Footnote citation: The first time a case is cited in your footnotes, refer to it in full in the same format as your bibliography entry.
Pinpoint reference: At the end of the citation, you can provide a pinpoint reference to the specific page or paragraph within the case you are referring to. Paragraph numbers should be indicated by square brackets.
Subsequent references: Any subsequent references to this case may be formatted according to the cross-referencing rules in the NZLSG at Rule 2.3.
See NZLSG Rule 2.2 for more guidance on footnote formatting.
The contract in Williams v Roffey Bros & Nicholls (Contractors) Ltd was varied by mutual agreement.1
Case Name Reported citation (Court Identifier) at Optional Pinpoint Citation.
1 Williams v Roffey Bros & Nicholls (Contractors) Ltd [1991] 1 QB 1 (CA) at 16.
2 Attorney-General for England and Wales v R [2002] 2 NZLR 91 (CA).
Order: Cases should be listed by jurisdiction and then alphabetically by case name.
Cases are cited in accordance with NZLSG Rules 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4.
If the case is reported, provide the neutral citation if it is available. Follow NZLSG Rule 3.3
Case Name Neutral citation, Reported citation.
Couch v Attorney-General [2008] NZSC 45, [2008] 3 NZLR 725.
Some cases do not have neutral citations available. If the case is reported, follow NZLSG Rule 3.2 and include a court identifier at the end of your citation.
Case Name Reported citation (Court Identifier).
Taylor v New Zealand Poultry Board [1984] 1 NZLR 394 (CA).
If your case is unreported and there is a neutral citation available, provide just the neutral citation. A court identifier is not required when there is a neutral citation. See NZLSG Rule 3.3.
Case Name Neutral citation
Attorney-General v X [2007] NZCA 388.
If your case is unreported and there is no neutral citation available, use the file number and date format to cite the case. Note there are different elements required when citing Supreme Court or Court of Appeal cases compared to citing High or District Court cases. See NZLSG Rule 3.4.
Supreme Court or Court of Appeal
Case Name File number, Date.
High Court or District Court
Case Name Court Registry File number, Date.
Supreme Court or Court of Appeal
Edwards v Southcoast Services Pty Ltd CA290/01, 20 December 2001.
High Court
Johnson v Ministry of Fisheries HC Palmerston North CRI-2004-454-41, 21 September 2004.
Hedley v Kiwi Co-Operative Dairies Ltd HC Palmerston North CP24/99, 21 December 2001.