(a) Use of pinpoint reference

When the judgment being cited contains paragraph numbers, use the paragraph number for the pinpoint reference. Where the judgment does not contain paragraph numbers use the page number instead.

Where the pinpoint reference is to the first page of the report, repeat the first page number.

Eg Re Oliver (deceased) [1968] NZLR 168 (SC) at 168.

(b) Format

The pinpoint reference follows the court identifier and is preceded by “at”.

When citing a paragraph number, enclose the number within square brackets. Square brackets indicate that the reference is to a paragraph number. Accordingly, do not include “para” or “paragraph” before the reference.

Eg Fairfax New Zealand Ltd v C [2008] NZCA 39, [2008] 2 NZLR 368 at [29].

NOT Fairfax New Zealand Ltd v C [2008] NZCA 39, [2008] 2 NZLR 368 at para 29.

Enclose paragraph numbers in square brackets even if the report or judgment being cited does not put paragraph numbers in brackets.

Eg Sempra Metals Ltd (formerly Metallgesellschaft Ltd) v Inland Revenue Commissioners [2007] UKHL 34, [2008] 1 AC 561 at [27].

When citing a subparagraph, include both the paragraph number and the subparagraph letter within square brackets.

Eg Bartle v GE Custodians Ltd [2010] NZCA 174, [2010] 3 NZLR 601 at [238(a)].

When citing a page number, do not use an abbreviation.

Eg Taylor v New Zealand Poultry Board [1984] 1 NZLR 394 (CA) at 398.

NOT Taylor v New Zealand Poultry Board [1984] 1 NZLR 394 (CA) at p 398.

When citing multiple paragraphs or pages, separate the numbers by commas with the final reference preceded by “and”.

Eg Burgess v Field [2007] NZCA 547, [2008] 1 NZLR 733 at [30], [40] and [47].

When citing a range of paragraphs or pages, separate the numbers by an en dash (–) without spaces. (The keyboard shortcut for an en dash on Windows computers is “Ctrl + -” (where “-” is the minus symbol) and on Apple computers “Option + -” (where “-” is the hyphen symbol).) Do not elide the end of the paragraph or page range.

Eg Dairy Containers Ltd v NZI Bank Ltd [1995] 2 NZLR 30 (HC) at 92–98.

NOT Dairy Containers Ltd v NZI Bank Ltd [1995] 2 NZLR 30 (HC) at 92–8.

Eg R v Wanhalla [2007] 2 NZLR 573 (CA) at [153]–[162].