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Can anyone clarify whether using the ¶ symbol to reference the line number on the transcript when citing to a deposition is incorrect? Bluebook shows the latter, but I've seen it both ways in practice.

for example


(Smith Dep. 65. ¶ 3, Feb. 2, 2015.)

vs.

(Smith Dep. 65:3, Feb. 2, 2015.)

**ETA**

What about trial transcripts? Bluebook suggests the former, but what if there is no volume number, would the latter suffice:

(Trial Tr. vol.2,31, Feb. 2 2015.)

vs.

Trial Tr. (Feb. 2 2015) Pg. 9 ¶ 8

Well, are you citing to a paragraph or a line number? If you're citing to a line number, don't use the paragraph symbol. If you're citing to a paragraph (likely because the lines aren't numbered for some unknown reason), then use a paragraph symbol. I don't understand the second examples. Just omit the volume part if there are no volumes is my answer. The second example is wrong based on the parentheses alone.

Aw, ok. Thanks for the response. Yes, I'm citing to line number not a paragraph, however have seen it done before and wasn't sure.

Ok, if I omit the the Vol. would it be okay to replace it with the page number? If so, does this look correct?

(Trial Tr. Pg.2,31, Feb. 2 2015.) or should it be formatted similar to a deposition cite like (Trial Tr. 2:31, Feb. 2 2015.)

LAWYER2 wrote:Aw, ok. Thanks for the response. Yes, I'm citing to line number not a paragraph, however have seen it done before and wasn't sure.

Ok, if I omit the the Vol. would it be okay to replace it with the page number? If so, does this look correct?

(Trial Tr. Pg.2,31, Feb. 2 2015.) or should it be formatted similar to a deposition cite like (Trial Tr. 2:31, Feb. 2 2015.)

The latter. Further, if you are getting real time (or maybe if you aren't), most of the reporters I've seen break the transcript up between AM and PM, so you'll need to include Morning Sess. or Afternoon Sess. (or perhaps AM or PM, depending on preferences) after the date (or before, again depending on prefs).

Thank you