Bluebook Citation for a UN Resolution Webpage

A detailed guide to citing the Refworld UN resolution webpage

united nations building and legal documents

Key Highlights

Comprehensive Breakdown: Detailed explanation of each component in the citation.
Bluebook Formatting: Structured guidelines based on Bluebook rules for international legal materials.
Practical Examples: Comparisons with similar UN resolutions and resources for further reference.

Introduction to Bluebook Citation for a UN Resolution

Citing legal documents, especially international resolutions and treaties, requires careful attention to detail and adherence to the Bluebook citation rules. The Bluebook provides a uniform system for citing a wide array of legal sources but often poses unique challenges when dealing with resolutions, particularly those originating from multinational bodies such as the United Nations. In this guide, we focus on citing a webpage from Refworld that hosts the UN resolution related to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.

The document in question, accessible via the URL https://www.refworld.org/legal/resolution/unga/2001/en/39663, is a resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly. The Bluebook citation for such a document involves several key elements: the issuing body, the document title, the resolution or document number, the adoption date, and the official URL paired with an access or last visited date. Each of these components must be structured correctly in order to meet the Bluebook’s rigorous standards.

Components of the Citation

1. Issuing Body

The issuing body in this citation is the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). It is essential to clearly indicate the body responsible for the adoption of the resolution. In Bluebook citations related to UN resolutions, simply referring to "UN General Assembly" or its abbreviated form (UNGA) is sufficient. This element establishes the authority and origin of the document.

2. Document Title

The document title, which in this case is United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime: resolution / adopted by the General Assembly, should be italicized. The title must reflect the official designation of the resolution as provided by the source. Italicization not only differentiates the title from other textual elements but also aligns with Bluebook's formatting requirements.

3. Document Number and Resolution Details

For United Nations resolutions, the document number is crucial. The resolution is often identified by a number that indicates its sequence or specific reference. In our example, the number "55/25" appears as the resolution number. It is also common to see references such as "UN Doc. A/RES/55/25" indicating the document identification. Including the resolution number helps readers locate the exact source among multiple related documents.

4. Adoption Date

The precise date on which the resolution was adopted is another necessary element. Here, the document indicates an adoption date of January 8, 2001. The date is typically enclosed in parenthesis and appears immediately following the document identification. Accurately citing the adoption date ensures that there is no ambiguity regarding the version or edition of the document.

5. URL and Access Date

Given that the resolution is hosted on a webpage, the URL is included as a direct reference to the source. The citation should also mention the last visited or accessed date to confirm that the information was verified as of a certain day. In our scenario, an example access date is noted as March 15, 2025. Including the access date is critical, especially for online documents which can be updated or removed over time.

Constructing the Citation

To compile the final citation, each of the aforementioned elements is combined in a structured format. Based on Bluebook rules, the following format is used:

UN General Assembly, United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime: resolution / adopted by the General Assembly, A/RES/55/25, 8 January 2001, https://www.refworld.org/legal/resolution/unga/2001/en/39663 [accessed 15 March 2025].

This citation format mirrors the examples provided in several authoritative sources and references. It is important to note that some variations exist based on institutional guidelines; however, the core structure remains consistent:

Component	Example / Explanation
Issuing Body	UN General Assembly
Document Title	United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime: resolution / adopted by the General Assembly
Document Number	A/RES/55/25 or UNGA Res. 55/25
Adoption Date	January 8, 2001
URL	https://www.refworld.org/legal/resolution/unga/2001/en/39663
Access Date	15 March 2025

This table aggregates all the pertinent details and serves as a quick reference checklist for anyone seeking to compile a similar citation following Bluebook guidelines.

Discussion on Bluebook Guidelines and Variations

Interpretation of Bluebook Rule 21

Bluebook Rule 21 addresses the citation of international legal materials, including resolutions, treaties, and conventions. Although the citation format for UN resolutions is relatively straightforward, different institutions may adopt slight modifications to cater to their internal standards. Despite these variations, the essential components remain the same. This universal approach ensures that anyone familiar with the Bluebook style can quickly verify and locate the cited document.

Comparison with Other Legal Citations

It is useful to contrast the Bluebook citation for a UN resolution with citations for domestic legal documents or court cases. While legal citations for case law often include additional elements like the reporter volume and page number, international documents are cited primarily by their resolution numbers, publication details, and online access information. This reflects the unique nature of international law where documents may not follow the same publication conventions as domestic legal resources.

For example, a citation for a Supreme Court decision might involve precise details such as the case name, reporter citation, and docket number. In contrast, the UN resolutions demand clarity primarily in the identification of the resolution, emission of the document number, and the availability of the text online. This difference highlights the importance of context when applying citation rules.

Handling Web-Based Sources in Legal Citations

Legal documents accessed via the internet require an additional layer of detail – the inclusion of a URL and the last accessed or visited date. This is particularly important because online content is easily subject to change or removal. The Bluebook recognizes this volatility and mandates that the access date is noted as a verification point for the availability of the content at a given time.

Given that the webpage we are discussing is part of Refworld, which exclusively compiles legal texts and resolutions, it is imperative that the URL is accurate. This practice not only enhances transparency but also provides a robust trail for researchers who may wish to corroborate the information at a future date.

Practical Applications and Further Examples

Real-World Usage in Academic and Professional Legal Writing

The precision in Bluebook citations is essential for academic research, legal briefs, and professional publications. A meticulously formatted citation provides credibility and ensures that the referenced materials are easily accessible to colleagues, judges, and scholars. In academic legal writing, mis-citations can lead to challenges during peer reviews or in court settings, where the accuracy of legal references might be scrutinized.

Professionals often refer to resolutions like the one discussed here as part of larger discussions on transnational organized crime. Correct citation practices not only bolster the authority of legal arguments but also aid in the seamless verification of sources by readers or opposing counsel.

Institutional Guidelines and University Resources

Numerous institutions provide detailed guidelines on the correct implementation of the Bluebook citation style. Universities often have dedicated law libraries or online guides that explain the nuances of citing international legal documents. For instance, resources such as the Georgetown Law Library or the GWU LibGuides offer further insights into dealing with UN documents. Accessing these resources can significantly aid researchers new to the landscape of international legal citations.

The consistency in using Bluebook formatting enables a standardized approach that is beneficial across borders. This harmonization is particularly crucial for transnational legal studies where multiple jurisdictions intersect.

Detailed Explanation and Final Citation Format

Breakdown of the Final Citation

Here is the final citation again, broken down line by line for clarity:

Each enclosed part of the citation serves a distinct function:

UN General Assembly, introduces the issuing body.
Title in Italics, clarifies the document’s subject and nature.
Document Number and Resolution Identifier, provides precise classification within the UN corpus.
Date Format, ensures clarity and historical context.
Uniform Resource Locator (URL), gives direct access to the document.
Access Date, marks when the document was last verified online.

This cascading structure of citation elements affords thoroughness, clarity, and consistency—key tenets underpinning the Bluebook citation methodology.

Additionally, when citing legal materials, some institutions might prefer different punctuation or formatting choices (e.g., using different braces or punctuation separators for dates). Nonetheless, the citation format provided here is widely accepted and aligns with the general practice seen in various law libraries and legal publications.

Supplementary Resources and Additional Notes

Beyond the scope of this particular citation, researchers and legal professionals may often encounter similar UN documents, treaties, or resolutions. It is advisable to consult the following resources to further enhance one’s understanding and accuracy when drafting legal citations:

The official Bluebook manual for detailed rules on international materials.
University law library guides, such as those from Georgetown or GWU, which provide examples and elaborations on citations.
Online legal resources, like Refworld and the United Nations’ own document search pages.
Specialized citation tools that help automate and verify the formatting of citations.
Workshops and webinars on legal writing which often cover best citation practices.

These resources ensure that proper citation practices are maintained even as online resources evolve and new legal materials are produced. Practicing accurate citation is not merely an academic exercise but also a professional responsibility that enhances the reliability and integrity of legal documentation.