Citation style
Harvard Author-Date Referencing
Harvard places a short (Author Year) parenthetical in the body and a full alphabetical reference list at the end. Page numbers are added for direct quotes.
Generate a citation in HarvardWhen to use it
- Socio-legal research essays
- Empirical legal-studies projects
- Courses that expressly require Harvard referencing
Core rules
In-text format
(Author Year) for a paraphrase; (Author Year, p. X) for a direct quote or specific point.
Multiple authors
Two authors: (Smith and Jones 2020). Three or more: (Smith et al. 2020).
Reference list
Alphabetical by surname. Hanging indent. Year in parentheses after the author.
Worked examples
Journal article
Raw source: Cathi Albertyn, 'Substantive equality and transformation in South Africa', SAJHR vol 23 (2007), page 253
Albertyn, C. (2007) 'Substantive equality and transformation in South Africa', South African Journal on Human Rights, 23(2), pp. 253-276.
Book
Raw source: Iain Currie & Johan de Waal, The Bill of Rights Handbook, 6th edition, Juta, 2013
Currie, I. and de Waal, J. (2013) The Bill of Rights Handbook. 6th edn. Cape Town: Juta.
Case (Harvard treats cases as legal sources)
Raw source: Carmichele v Minister of Safety and Security 2001 (4) SA 938 (CC)
Carmichele v Minister of Safety and Security 2001 (4) SA 938 (CC).
Cite cases in standard South African case-citation form even in a Harvard reference list.
Common pitfalls
- Don't shorten 'et al.' for two authors — only three or more.
- Page numbers belong in the in-text citation for direct quotes, not in the reference list entry for a whole book.
- Harvard has many institutional variants — check your faculty's house style.