IMPORTANT! Always cite from an authorised report if this version is available

Before citing an unreported judgment in your assignment, always check to see if it has been reported in a law report series.

Consult a case citator, CaseBase in Lexis+ and KeyCite  in Westlaw AU (Subscription databases), or LawCite (free citator), to see if a reported version is available. If an authorised reported version is available prefer that version as it represents highest authority . If the decision is not reported, use the online unreported judgment if it is available and cite using medium neutral citation style.

Order of authority  (highest to lowest)

1. Reported in an authorised law report series
2. Reported in a law report series
3. Unreported judgment

See below for more information about authorised law reports.

Although all reported cases are edited by legally qualified people, those reports associated with the superior courts and checked by a judge before publication are considered to be "authorised". Headnotes authored by experienced practitioners and approved by the Courts allow practitioners to quickly assess the relevance of a case.

When you have multiple citations for a case always prefer that of the reported, authorised version as it is considered to be the most "authoritative".

In Australia - Judges approve the reports before publication.

In the UK - Reports are edited by the Incorporated Council of Law Reporting for England and Wales (see below).

See also Part VI of the Australian Guide to Legal Citation 3rd ed for Appendix: Law Report Abbreviations. All authorised report series are designated with an asterisk.

Australian Authorised Reports

 For further legal publication abbreviation meanings, see Cardiff Index to Legal Abbreviations.

To check if your case has been reported in an authorised law report series go to Case citators.