Complex Citation Help...Is this even possible? Forum

[2LBlues]

I want to cite to westlaw's citing cases to talk about the number of cases that cite to a particular case. Is this possible?

[Johann]

I want to cite to westlaw's citing cases to talk about the number of cases that cite to a particular case. Is this possible?

If there isn't a way to do it pretty simply in the blue book you should wonder and prolly doubt if it's necesarry.

[2LBlues]

Touché

[BearLaw]

Are you citing the actual WestLaw page? If so, its just a citation to an internet page. Although I would still advise caution as this number changes frequently (unless it is a minor citation). I would hedge above the line and put something like "case X has been cited more than Y times in recent years". I would also put a parenthetical in your citation indicating the date you checked the count and the citation count at that date.

[BVest]

Don't do this.

[NotMyRealName09]

You could just say something like "As of September 26, 2014, research in Westlaw reveals that X v. Y has been cited 350 times by courts from various jurisdictions. See generally http://www.westlaw.com (showing citing authorities for X v. Y) (last visted whatever) (follow bluebook citation style for citing website). For example, A v B cited X v Y for the proposition that .............."

I don't know though, it's probably better to just say "X v. Y has been cited extensively. See, e.g., LIST OF SOME SAMPLE CASES.

The e.g. signal implies that there are more examples than it is practical to list. It's particularly appropriate here because you want to convey there are a lot of examples. That's what I'd do.