Mastering OSCOLA Referencing Style
A Complete Guide OSCOLA referencing for Citation of Legal Authorities, is an essential tool for law students, academics, and professionals in the UK and around the world. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the referencing system, including how to correctly cite cases, books, legislation, and websites. Whether you’re preparing a legal document or an academic paper, understanding OSCOLA can enhance the credibility and clarity of your work.
Understanding OSCOLA Referencing
What is OSCOLA Referencing?
It is designed specifically for the legal field to standardize the citation of legal authorities and sources. This method ensures that all references are clear and concise, allowing readers to easily locate the sources cited.
OSCOLA Referencing Guide
It is the primary resource for anyone looking to master this citation style. It provides detailed instructions on how to cite various types of legal materials, including cases, statutes, and secondary sources like books and journals.
Types of Referencing
Book
Author(s), ‘Title’ (Edition, Publisher Year) pinpoint.
Example: Smith, John, The Oxford Guide to Referencing (2nd edn, Oxford University Press 2019) 45.
Journal Article
Author(s), ‘Title’ (Year) Volume Issue Journal page.
Example: Brown, A., ‘The Impact of Globalization on Local Economies’ (2020) 25(2) Oxford Economic Review 45-67.
Website
Author/Organization, ‘Title’ (Year) <URL> (accessed Access Date).
Example: Oxford University, ‘Welcome to Oxford University’ (2023) https://www.ox.ac.uk/ (accessed March 24, 2024).
Legal Cases:
Case Name [Year] Court (Pinpoint) or (Court, Pinpoint).
Example: R v Smith [2018] UKSC 56 (Supreme Court) or (UKSC, para. 15).
Legislation
Title of Legislation (Year, Chapter/Pinpoint).
Example: Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (c 48, s 4).
Secondary Sources
Author(s), ‘Title’ (Year) page number.
Example: Doe, J., ‘Legal Systems Around the World’ (2015) 25.
Government Publications
Title (Year) page number (Publisher).
Example: Report of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution (2019) 35 (HM Stationery Office).
OSCOLA Referencing Tools
OSCOLA Referencing Generator
The OSCOLA referencing generator is an online tool that helps create citations automatically by entering details about the source. This is a great way to save time and ensure accuracy in your citations.
OSCOLA Referencing Generator
Generator can compile all your references in correct OSCOLA format, ready to be appended to your document.
