All the footnote numbers in an article or essay must run consecutively from the beginning to the end of the article, and must correspond with numbers in the text. Where a work contains multiple chapters, begin renumbering the footnotes at the start of each chapter.

Place footnote numbers in the main text in superscript.

Footnote numbers should not be enclosed in brackets or be followed by a full stop either in the text or in the footnotes.

If a footnote is at the end of a sentence, the footnote number follows the full stop. If it is at the end of a clause, it follows the comma or any other punctuation that separates the clauses.

Where the footnote relates to the source of a quotation, the position of the footnote reference will depend on the length of the quotation. For short quotations (those fewer than 30 words), the footnote number follows any punctuation after the quotation. For long quotations, the footnote number follows the colon preceding the quotation.

Footnotes should be visually separated from the text of each page.

Where possible, footnotes should be printed entirely on the page to which they refer.

(a) Punctuation

Begin each footnote with an initial capital letter and conclude with a full stop.

Where several cases are cited for one proposition, separate them by semicolons.

Eg 45 Edwards v O'Connor [1991] 2 NZLR 543 (CA); L G Thorne & Co v Thomas Borthwick & Sons [1956] SR (NSW) 81 (SC); State Rail Authority v Heath Outdoor Ltd (1986) 7 NSWLR 170 (CA).

Only use punctuation where it is grammatically necessary and not to indicate abbreviation.

Eg CA

NOT C.A.

(b) Introductory signals for footnotes

If a footnote is merely acting as an authority for the point in the main text, there is no need to provide an introductory signal.

Where the footnote is being used to provide additional or comparative information it is appropriate to use an introductory signal.

Do not use abbreviated introductory signals such as "cf".

Examples of appropriate introductory signals are as follows:

"See" - used where:

(a) The source referred to is not direct authority for the proposition in the main text but that proposition can be inferred from the source.

(b) The source referred to is an opinion of an author rather than a statement of fact. It is usually appropriate to include in a footnote beginning with "see" some text indicating what the reader will see when consulting the source.

"See also" - used where the authority provides added support for the proposition.

"See generally" - used where the authority provides background information about the point in the main text.

"Compare" - used where the authority provides a useful comparison which helps to illustrate the proposition in the main text.

"But see" - used where the authority is in partial disagreement with the proposition in the main text.

"Contrast" - used where the authority directly contradicts the proposition in the main text.