Mastering the Art of Citing Laws in APA Style
When it comes to legal writing, it`s essential to follow the American Psychological Association (APA) citation style to accurately reference laws and legal documents. Citing laws in APA format may seem daunting at first, but with a little practice and understanding of the guidelines, it can be mastered.
Understanding APA Citations for Laws
The APA citation style has specific guidelines for citing laws and legal documents. When citing law, important include name act, publication date, Title of the compilation or code, section number, URL law accessed online.
Sample APA Citation for a Federal Statute:
| APA Format | Example |
|---|---|
| Name act | Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 |
| Publication date | 1993 |
| Title of the compilation or code | 29 U.S.C. § 2601 |
| Section number | 29 U.S.C. § 2601 |
| URL | https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/USCODE-2014-title29/USCODE-2014-title29-chap28 |
APA Citation for a State Statute:
| APA Format | Example |
|---|---|
| Name act | California Family Rights Act |
| Publication date | 1993 |
| Title of the compilation or code | Cal. Gov’t Code § 12945.2 |
| Section number | Cal. Gov’t Code § 12945.2 |
| URL | https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV§ionNum=12945.2 |
Practical Tips for Citing Laws in APA Style
When citing laws in APA format, it`s important to pay attention to details such as punctuation, italics, and capitalization. Here practical tips keep mind:
- Italicize title law, not section number.
- Use correct abbreviation code compilation.
- Include publication date law.
- Provide URL law accessed online.
Mastering the Art of Citing Laws in APA Style essential skill legal professionals students alike. By following the guidelines and practical tips outlined in this article, you can ensure that your citations are accurate and in compliance with APA style.
Legal Contract: How to Cite a Law in APA
This contract (the „Contract“) is entered into as of [DATE], by and between [PARTY A] and [PARTY B].
| Clause | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Introduction | This Contract sets forth the terms and conditions governing the citation of laws in the American Psychological Association (APA) format. The Parties agree to comply with the guidelines and regulations outlined herein. |
| 2. Citation Standards | For the purpose of citing laws in APA format, the Parties agree to adhere to the guidelines provided in the APA Publication Manual, including but not limited to the proper formatting of statutes, regulations, and other legal sources. |
| 3. Legal Practice | The Parties acknowledge that the citation of laws in APA format is essential to legal practice and research. As such, they agree to diligently follow the prescribed citation standards to ensure accuracy and consistency in referencing legal sources. |
| 4. Compliance Laws | Both Parties shall comply with all applicable laws and regulations governing the citation of legal sources in APA format. Any deviations from the established standards must be justified and approved by both Parties. |
| 5. Dispute Resolution | In the event of any disputes or disagreements arising from the interpretation or implementation of this Contract, the Parties agree to engage in good faith negotiations to resolve the issues amicably. If such efforts fail, the matter shall be referred to arbitration in accordance with [GOVERNING LAW]. |
| 6. Governing Law | This Contract shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of [GOVERNING STATE], without regard to its conflict of law principles. |
| 7. Entire Agreement | This Contract constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous understandings, agreements, representations, and warranties, both written and oral. |
How to Cite a Law in APA: 10 Popular Legal Questions Answered
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. What is the proper format for citing a federal law in APA? | When citing a federal law in APA, the format is generally as follows: Title of the Act, Source in Regular Type (Year). |
| 2. How do I cite a state law in APA? | When citing a state law in APA, the format is similar to citing a federal law. Make sure to include the state abbreviation and the section number. |
| 3. Can I cite a court case in APA? | Yes, cite court case APA. The format for citing a court case is: Case Name v. Defendant, Source in Regular Type (Year). |
| 4. Do need include full text law citation? | No, need include full text law citation. Simply provide title act source. |
| 5. How do I cite a statute in APA? | When citing a statute in APA, include the title of the statute, the source, and the year. |
| 6. What law amended? How cite it? | If law amended, include year amendment citation. |
| 7. Can use „et al.“ when citing a law with multiple authors? | No, „et al.“ is not used in legal citations. Instead, list all authors` names. |
| 8. Do I need to include a URL when citing an online law? | It is not necessary to include a URL when citing an online law. Simply provide title act source. |
| 9. How format citation reference list? | The citation should be formatted with a hanging indent, double-spaced, and in alphabetical order by the title of the act. |
| 10. Are there any special considerations for citing international laws in APA? | When citing international laws in APA, include the name of the treaty, the source, and the year. Additionally, provide the country or organization that enacted the treaty. |