String Cites and Order of Authorities [Rule 1.4]

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A string cite is composed of more than one authority. Separate each with a semi-colon. They are used when multiple citations are required to substantiate a statement, often used to highlight a string of similiar or historical cases, or referring to laws in multiple states, etc.

See Rule 1.4 for the order of authorities within a string cite. In essence, the Bluebook states that unless one authority is "considerably more helpful or authoritative" than the others, you should follow the complicated priority rules in Rule 1.4. A good rule of thumb is to always list the highest court or jurisdiction first - thus Federal, then State, then Foreign. Any other sources should go afterwards unless "considerably more helpful or authoritative" than the others.

Note: that any short forms are ordered in the same way as full citations.

For example,

12 U.S. 23 (1999); 23 F.3d 76 (2000); 45 Mass. 56 (1989); John Burt, Tax Law under 204(b), 23 U.N.C. Law Rev. 89 (2000).