Medium neutral citation was developed to cope with the delivery medium of the internet, The old way of citing was based on describing something published in the book format. Medium neutral citation doesn't depend on the medium of publication to make sense.
Medium neutral citations tells you that the case is published on the internet.
Medium neutral citation:
The basic formula for medium neutral citation is covered by rule 2.3.1 of AGLC4.
A case cited in medium neutral format would look like this:
Baker v The Queen [2010] VSCA 226, [13].
2.1 Reported Cases
Example |
Hongan v Hinch | (2011) | 243 | CLR | 506 | ,512 | . |
| Lodge v Lawton | [1978] | VR | 112 | ,115 | . | ||
Element |
Case Name | Year | Volume | Law Report Series | Starting Page | Pinpoint | Full stop |
Rule |
2.1 | 2.2 | 2.2 | 2.3 | 2.4 | 2.5 | 1.1.4 |
Other Examples:
Pinpoint: Gerhardy v Brown (1985) 195 CLR 70, 71.
Case Citation: Babic v The Queen (2010) 203 A Crim R 543.
Case Citation: Ireland v Haesler [1959] VR 4.
Melbourne University Law Review Association, Australian Guide to Legal Citation (Melbourne University Law Review Association, 3rd ed, 2010) 37.
2.3.1 Unreported Decisions - Decisions with a Medium Neutral Citation
Example |
R v De Gruchy | [2006] | VSCA | 10 | ,[4]-[5] | . |
Element |
Case Name | Year | Unique Court Identifier | Judgment Number | *Pinpoint | Full stop |
Rule |
2.1 | 2.2 | 2.3.1 | 2.3.1 | 1.1.6-1.1.7 | 1.1.4 |
* There is a comma before any pinpoint(s).
Other Examples:
Pinpoint:
Nichia Corporation v Arrow Electronics Australia Pty Ltd [2019] FCAFC 2, [11].
Case Citation:
Mazukkov v University of Tasmania [2004] TASADT 8.
Melbourne University Law Review Association, Australian Guide to Legal Citation (Melbourne University Law Review Association, 4th ed, 2018) 54.
2.3.2 [Unreported] Decisions without a Medium Neutral Citation
Example |
Ross v Chambers | (Supreme Court of the Northern Territory, | Kriewaldt J, | 5 April 1956) | 77-8 | . |
Element |
Case Name | Court | Judge(s) Name | Full Date | Pinpoint | Full stop |
Rule |
2.1 | 2.3.1 | 2.4.1 | 1.11.1 | 1.1.6-1.1.7 | 1.1.4 |
Other Examples:
Pinpoint:
Barton v Chibber (Supreme Court of Victoria, Hempel J, 29 June 1989) 3.
Case Citation:
Williams v State Bank of New South Wales (Supreme Court of New South Wales, Young J, 7 April 1993).
Melbourne University Law Review Association, Australian Guide to Legal Citation (Melbourne University Law Review Association, 4th ed, 2018) 56-7.