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. String cites are used when multiple citations are required to substantiate a statement, to highlight a string of similiar or historical cases, when 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: any short forms are ordered in the same way as full citations.

For example,

415 U.S. 322 (1974); 23 F.3d 74 (1994); 388 Mass. 24 (1983); John Burt, Tax Law Under 204(b), 23 U.N.C. L. Rev. 89 (2000).