The use of plain numbers for the sequential decision number and the
paragraph, as recommended in the ABA Special Committee on Citation
Issues preliminary draft of March 18,1996, seems to me likely to
generate confusion, because courts and lawyers are accustomed to
plain numbers signifying page numbers when they occur after a
report series abbreviation, and because it will still be necessary
to cite older cases in the traditional style with plain numbers
meaning page numbers. I think it would be better to precede the
sequential decision number by "no." and the paragraph number by
"para." Thus, using the example in the committee's draft
recommendation, instead of:
1996 SDNY 15, 26, 23 U.S.P.Q. 456
I would suggest:
1996 SDNY no.15, para.26, 23 U.S.P.Q. 456.
If you agree with the above, please let the committee know before
April 22,1996, by communicating to the committee's staff director:
Ms.Marilyn Steinke, ABA, 750 No.Lake Shore Dr., Chicago IL 60611,
FAX 312/988-6230.
Paul Axel-Lute Rutgers Law Library tel.(201) 648-5977 or -5964
Collection Dev't 15 Washington St. axellute@andromeda.rutgers.edu
Librarian Newark NJ 07102 USA
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