The rules of AGLC referencing can seem confusing at first. But knowing how to use AGLC is vital if you’re studying law in Australia, as it sets out how to cite legal sources. And as such, we’ve put together this quick guide about how to organise an AGLC bibliography.
What Should I Include in My Bibliography?
One important factor is that AGLC uses a bibliography system, rather than a reference list. This means you should include every source you consulted while writing an essay, not just those cited in your document.
Another quirk of AGLC is that sources in your bibliography should be sorted by type, using the following categories:
- A. Articles, Books and Reports
- B. Cases
- C. Legislation
- D. Treaties
- E. Other
The ‘Other’ category includes sources such as government documents, newspaper and magazine articles, transcripts, press releases and websites (essentially, anything that doesn’t fit easily into one of the other categories).
The categories above can be omitted or added to as required.
How Should I Present My Bibliography?
An AGLC bibliography should follow certain rules. Make sure to:
- Provide full publication details for all sources.
- List sources under each heading alphabetically.
- Invert the names of the first listed author for sources where this applies.
- List the first author’s name plus ‘et al.’ for sources with four or more authors.
- Use italics for titles of books, journals, cases and legislation.
- Use ‘inverted commas’ for titles of articles and book chapters.
As with any referencing system, though, the most important factors in the bibliography are clarity and consistency.
For Example…
In case any of the above isn’t clear, a bibliography made using AGLC rules should look something like the following:
A. Articles, Books and Reports
Mackie, Ken, Elizabeth Bennett Histead and John Page, Australian Land Law in Context (Oxford University Press, 2012)
Rothstein, Mark A, ‘Epigenetic Exceptionalism’ (2013) 41(3) The Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics 733
B. Cases
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Nydam v The Queen (1997) VR 430
Smith v Jones (1982) 126 CLR 503
C. Legislation
Legal Profession Act 2004 (NSW)
Navigation Act 2012 (Cth) s 14
D. Treaties
International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, opened for signature 3 November 2001, UNTS 2400 (entered into force 31 March 2004)
E. Other
Hamer, David, ‘ARC rankings poor on law’, The Australian (online, 25 June 2008) <http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/opinion/arc-rankings-poor-on-law/story-e6frgcko-1111116734303>
Wells, Kathryn, Australia’s Maritime History Under Sail (Web Page, 17 December 2009) <http://www.australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/australias-maritime-history-under-sail>