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Referencing - UK & EU Law: EU unreported case

How do I reference an unreported case from the European Union?

Please note that the unreported case, given here as an example, has been subsequently reported in the European Court Reports.

This guidance applies whether you found the judgment in print or online.

case number | case name | [year] | OJ series | issue/first page

Footnote (if you HAVE given the case number and name in the text of your work):
e.g. [2009] OJ C102/11

Footnote (if you HAVE NOT given the case number and name in the text of your work):
e.g. Case C-556/07 Commission v France [2009] OJ C102/11

Bibliography:
e.g. Commission v France (C-556/07) [2009] OJ C102/11

To pinpoint a paragraph, follow the citation with a comma then ‘para’ and the paragraph number. To pinpoint several paragraphs, follow the citation with a comma then ‘paras’ and insert a dash between the paragraph numbers:
e.g. Case C-556/07 Commission v France [2009] OJ C102/11, para 2 

If the case has not yet appeared in the OJ C series, then cite the case number and case name followed by the court and the date of judgment in brackets: e.g., Case T–277/08 Bayer Healthcare v OHIM—Uriach Aquilea OTC (CFI, 11 November 2009).

Case number

The case number includes a prefix, which indicates the court:

  • C = Court of Justice (not needed for pre-1989 cases)
  • T = General Court

Follow the prefix with a dash - and the case number.

Case name

  • Always give party names in italics
  • Separate adverse parties with an italic v
  • Don't include and another
  • If multiple parties, name only the first claimant and the first defendant
  • If an individual, don't include forenames or initials
  • Use Re, not In re or In the matter of
  • Use Ex p, not Ex parte
  • Include terms indicating corporate status (Ltd, plc)
  • Abbreviate common words and phrases (see Oscola appendix 4.2.4).

Year

The year is always given in [square brackets].

Official Journal reference

The Official Journal of the European Union (OJ) comprises two series:

  • L series - official source for EU legislation
  • C series - information and notices.

If a case has not yet been reported in a series such as the European Court Reports, there may be a summary of the case in the OJ C Series.