The Oxford University Standard for the Citation of Legal Authorities (OSCOLA) is the essential guide to legal citation.

There are two golden rules for the citation of legal authorities. One is consistency. The other is consideration for the reader. Legal writing is more persuasive when the author refers to legal materials in a clear, consistent and familiar way. When it is easy to identify and to find the author’s sources, it becomes easier for the reader to follow the argument. OSCOLA is designed to help the author to achieve consistency and to make life easier for the reader

The fifth edition of OSCOLA has been comprehensively revised and updated and now incorporates guidance on legal citation in the field of public international law. It also provides guidance concerning new sources such as output from generative AI.

James Goudkamp is Professor of the Law of Obligations at the University of Oxford, UK.
Donal Nolan is Porjes Foundation Fellow and Tutor in Law, Worcester College, University of Oxford, UK.
Sandra Meredith is Departmental Lecturer in Legal Research Skills, Faculty of Law, University of Oxford, UK.