Understanding case citations

A case citation refers to a case. Below are examples of common case citations with an explanation of what the citation means. Understanding the meaning will help you to locate the case referred to.

Examples

[1958] Qd R 1

• Read as “annual volume of report /abbreviation of Report title/ 1st page of case”
• This law report series is found by looking for the annual volume of report, so the year [in square brackets] is essential to find the case
   

[1988] 1 Qd R 514

• Read as “annual volume of report/sequential volume number within that year /abbreviation of Report title/ 1st page of case”
• This law report series is found by looking for both the annual volume of report and the sequential volume number in the year. So both the year [in square brackets] and the volume number following the year are essential to find the case
   

(1992) 177 CLR 292

• Read as “year of judgment / sequential volume number /abbreviation of Report title/ 1st page of case”
• This law report series is found by looking for the sequential volume number of the report which is essential to find the case. The year of judgment which is in round brackets is an optional element of the citation and it is not essential to finding the case
   

[2006] HCA 15

• Read as “year of judgment, Court where case was heard, judgment number in that court for that year”
• This unreported judgment from a Court is found by looking for both the year and judgment number which are both essential to find the case
   

How to cite cases

• For information on how to cite cases, see the AGLC style in  QUT cite|write.