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Citation rules/Cases/10.2 Case Names

Shorten the party name

Warning2Federal courts, Illinois courts21st and 22nd editions

A party name drops “State of”, “Commonwealth of” and “People of” — “Dukakis v. Massachusetts”, not “Dukakis v. Commonwealth of Massachusetts” — except in that state’s own courts.1

Wrong
Dukakis v. Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Right
Dukakis v. Massachusetts
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  1. 1R. 10.2.1(f) Geographical terms. Tables: T10 Geographical Terms.
  2. 2A warning: the form is usually wrong under the rule in note 1, and context can justify it.
PreviousShorten the caption to its first itemNextShorten the party to the full surname

More in 10.2 Case Names

  1. Abbreviate the case name
  2. Abbreviate the procedural phrase
  3. Abbreviate the state in the party name
  4. Add a procedural phrase to the case name
  5. Lowercase the article before the name
  6. Lowercase the word after the abbreviation
  7. Remove “of America” from the party
  8. Remove “The” from the case name
  9. Shorten the party name

Back to Cases

More in 10.2 Case Names

  1. Abbreviate the case name
  2. Abbreviate the procedural phrase
  3. Abbreviate the state in the party name
  4. Add a procedural phrase to the case name
  5. Lowercase the article before the name
  6. Lowercase the word after the abbreviation
  7. Remove “of America” from the party
  8. Remove “The” from the case name
  9. Shorten the party name

Back to Cases

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