Citing the Code of Federal Regulations: Legal References
October 27, 2023 by JoyAnswer.org, Category : Legal Writing
How to cite code of federal regulations? Learn how to cite the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) in legal and academic writing, following the appropriate citation format.
- 1. How to cite code of federal regulations?
- 2. Citing the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR): A Guide
- 3. Proper Citation Styles for the CFR
- 4. Legal and Academic Citations of Federal Regulations
- 5. Online Resources for Accurate CFR Citations
- 6. Mastering CFR Citation for Legal Writing and Research
How to cite code of federal regulations?
Citing the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) in a legal document or research paper typically follows a specific format to ensure proper referencing. The CFR citation format includes the title, section, edition, and year. Here's how to cite the CFR:
Title: Start by specifying the title or name of the CFR. Titles represent different subject areas, and each title contains various regulations. Titles are typically identified by a Roman numeral (e.g., Title 26).
Section: Provide the section number within the title. Sections are identified with an Arabic numeral. You may also include a subdivision (if applicable) by adding a lower-case letter, such as "§ 1.101(a)."
Edition: Mention the edition of the CFR being cited. The CFR is updated annually, and each edition corresponds to a specific year. Include the year of the CFR you're referencing.
Year: Specify the year of the CFR edition you are citing. This helps readers locate the exact version of the regulation.
Here's an example of a CFR citation:
Title 26, Section 1.101(a), 26 CFR 2023.
In this example, "Title 26" represents the title of the CFR, "Section 1.101(a)" specifies the particular regulation, and "26 CFR 2023" indicates that you are referring to the Code of Federal Regulations edition for the year 2023.
When citing CFR in a formal legal document, academic paper, or research, ensure that you follow the citation format required by your specific style guide or publication guidelines, such as The Bluebook, APA (American Psychological Association), MLA (Modern Language Association), or any other applicable style.
It's also important to note that the specific rules and formats for CFR citations may vary depending on the context, so you should consult the relevant guidelines or your institution's standards for legal or academic writing.
Citing the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR): A Guide
The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is the official codification of the general and permanent rules published by the departments and agencies of the Federal Government. It is divided into 50 titles, each of which represents a broad area of Federal regulation.
Citing the CFR is important for legal writing and research because it allows readers to easily locate the specific regulation you are referencing. There are two main citation styles for the CFR: the Bluebook style and the Government Printing Office (GPO) style.
Proper Citation Styles for the CFR
Bluebook style
The Bluebook style is the most common citation style for legal writing. To cite a CFR regulation using the Bluebook style, you should include the following information:
- Title number
- Part number
- Section number
- CFR abbreviation
- Year of publication
For example, to cite the CFR regulation that sets forth the requirements for food labeling, you would use the following citation:
21 C.F.R. § 101.9(a) (2023)
GPO style
The GPO style is the citation style used by the United States Government. To cite a CFR regulation using the GPO style, you should include the following information:
- Title number
- Part number
- Section number
- CFR abbreviation
- Year of publication
- Volume number
- Page number
For example, to cite the CFR regulation that sets forth the requirements for food labeling using the GPO style, you would use the following citation:
21 C.F.R. § 101.9(a) (2023), 7 C.F.R. Vol. 1, p. 130
Legal and Academic Citations of Federal Regulations
CFR citations are used in both legal and academic writing. In legal writing, CFR citations are used to support legal arguments and to show that a party has complied with the law. In academic writing, CFR citations are used to support research findings and to provide information about the law.
Online Resources for Accurate CFR Citations
There are a number of online resources that can help you to accurately cite the CFR. These resources include:
- The eCFR website: The eCFR website is the official online version of the CFR. It provides users with access to the current version of the CFR, as well as historical versions of the CFR.
- The Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute (LII): The LII website provides a number of resources for legal research, including a guide to citing the CFR.
- The GPO Style Manual: The GPO Style Manual provides detailed guidance on how to cite the CFR in both legal and academic writing.
Mastering CFR Citation for Legal Writing and Research
Mastering CFR citation is important for legal writing and research. By following the tips above, you can ensure that your CFR citations are accurate and complete.
Here are some additional tips for mastering CFR citation:
- Be sure to cite the most recent version of the CFR regulation.
- If you are citing a historical version of the CFR regulation, include the date of the version you are citing.
- If you are citing a CFR regulation that has been amended, include the date of the amendment.
- If you are citing a CFR regulation that has been repealed, include the date of the repeal.
- Be sure to proofread your CFR citations carefully to ensure that they are accurate.
By following these tips, you can master CFR citation and improve your legal writing and research skills.
