OSCOLA, the Oxford University Standard for the Citation of Legal Authorities, is the required referencing style for law students at almost every UK university. Unlike author-date systems, OSCOLA uses footnotes, and its precise formatting of cases, statutes and secondary sources trips up many students.
How OSCOLA Works
OSCOLA places citations in numbered footnotes rather than in-text brackets. A superscript number in the text links to a footnote at the bottom of the page containing the full source. A bibliography at the end lists sources by category.
Citing Cases
Case citations give the party names in italics, the year, and the law report reference, for example Donoghue v Stevenson [1932] AC 562. Use square brackets for the year where it identifies the volume, and round brackets where the year is merely the year of decision. Neutral citations such as [2020] UKSC 1 come first where available.
Citing Legislation
Statutes are cited by their short title and year, for example the Human Rights Act 1998. Specific provisions are pinpointed by section: s 3 of the Human Rights Act 1998. Statutory instruments are cited by name, year and SI number.
Citing Books and Journal Articles
Books follow: author, title (edition, publisher year). Journal articles follow: author, title (year) volume journal abbreviation first page. OSCOLA deliberately minimises full stops, so consistency with the official OSCOLA guide is essential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does OSCOLA use footnotes or in-text citations?
Footnotes. A superscript number in your text points to a numbered footnote with the full citation.
When do I use square versus round brackets for a case year?
Use square brackets when the year identifies the report volume, and round brackets when the year is simply the year of the decision.
Need Expert Help With Your Own Project?
If you would rather have a UK subject specialist handle it for you, Projectsdeal delivers 100% original, Turnitin-checked work with confidentiality, on-time delivery, free revisions and a money-back guarantee. Get expert help at Projectsdeal.co.uk
Need Expert Academic Help?
ProjectsDeal provides trusted dissertation, thesis, and essay writing support for UK university students. Get matched with a specialist in your subject area.