4.5

Authority and Citations

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INTRODUCTION

In this section we bring two important concepts, authority and citations, together to create a powerful skill-set. Combining these two concepts opens up many doors.

If you understand the concept that citations are the bridge between research and writing, you are well on your way!






Think of the power a paralegal possesses if, just by looking at a citation, without even opening up the book or reading the case online, he or she can instantly tell the following:



• -the parties involved in the case
• -where to find that case in the publications
• -how recent the case is
• -what jurisdiction the case is from
• -what court decided the case
• -whether the current court the paralegal's client is involved in could possibly consider that case as mandatory or persuasive authority (assuming it was later found to be relevant)



This is a lot of information from one simple citation.






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