Citation style
South African Legal Citation
The conventional South African citation style used in practice and most local law journals (SALJ, THRHR, De Jure). Combines a footnote model with established local conventions for cases, legislation and government publications.
Generate a citation in SA Legal CitationWhen to use it
- Heads of argument and practical legal writing in South African courts.
- Submissions to South African law journals.
- UNISA LLB assignments unless OSCOLA is explicitly required.
Core rules
Cases
Party names in italics, then the year in round brackets, volume, law report series, first page, and court abbreviation in round brackets — e.g. (CC), (SCA), (GP).
Statutes
'Act name Number of Year' — capitalise the word 'Act'. Cite a section as 's 23' (not 'sec. 23').
Government Gazettes
Notice/Proclamation number in Government Notice (GN), gazette number, and publication date.
Pinpoints
Use paragraph numbers in square brackets for newer judgments (post-2000) or page references for older reports.
Worked examples
Constitutional Court case
Raw source: Carmichele v Minister of Safety and Security, Constitutional Court, 2001, vol 4 SA 938, paragraph 44
Carmichele v Minister of Safety and Security 2001 (4) SA 938 (CC) para 44.
Statute
Raw source: Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995, section 191(5)(a)
Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 s 191(5)(a).
Government Notice
Raw source: Code of Good Practice: Dismissal, Government Notice 1631, Government Gazette 19967 of 4 June 1999
Code of Good Practice: Dismissal GN 1631 in GG 19967 of 4 June 1999.
Journal article
Raw source: Cathi Albertyn, 'Substantive equality and transformation in South Africa', SAJHR vol 23 (2007), page 253
C Albertyn 'Substantive equality and transformation in South Africa' (2007) 23 SAJHR 253.
Common pitfalls
- Don't anglicise 'paragraph' as '[44]' for older pre-2000 judgments — those use page numbers.
- Italicise party names; do NOT italicise 'v'.
- Always check the latest consolidated text on www.gov.za — many older Acts have been amended.