Ethics Alert: The Bluebook indicates that local rules supersede its rules. If a jurisdiction has local rules, which rules govern citation form?

Ethics Alert: The Bluebook indicates that local rules supersede its rules. If a jurisdiction has local rules, which rules govern citation form?

• A. The Bluebook rules
• B. Local rules
• C. Court-specific guidelines only
• D. The attorney's preferred style

Answer: (B)

Local rules govern citation form when a jurisdiction has them, because they are binding within that court system. The Bluebook provides a general framework, but many jurisdictions adopt specific local rules that override the Bluebook’s rules in that jurisdiction. Therefore, if local rules exist, you follow them; if none exist, you follow the Bluebook. Court-specific guidelines or an attorney’s preferred style aren’t controlling when local rules apply.

Local rules govern citation form when a jurisdiction has them, because they are binding within that court system. The Bluebook provides a general framework, but many jurisdictions adopt specific local rules that override the Bluebook’s rules in that jurisdiction. Therefore, if local rules exist, you follow them; if none exist, you follow the Bluebook. Court-specific guidelines or an attorney’s preferred style aren’t controlling when local rules apply.