When searching for a case in a database, you can enter the case name or case citation into the search box.
LawNet example:
1. Using the case name
2. Using the case citation
3. Once you have entered the relevant search term, click on the correct case to read it.
4. The full case will be displayed upon clicking.
Cases are
referenced using a case name and a citation. The case
name consists of the names of the parties involved in the court case. For
instance, a Singapore case name will look something like this
Future Enterprises Pte Ltd v McDonald's Corp In
a criminal case, the State brings an action against an individual or
organisation. Here is an example
of a Singapore criminal case name: Public Prosecutor v Took Leng How Below
is an example of a UK criminal case.
‘R’ stands for Rex or Regina and represents the King or the Queen. In the UK the monarchy is the head of
state. R v Smith Note: Singapore cases use the party’s full name.
UK cases only use the party’s last name.
Authorized reports
Unauthorized reports
Unreported judgments
Cases can stretch over a lengthy period of time. Different parties may have the same name, and the same party may be involved in different cases. It is therefore often insufficient to locate cases with only the case name.
Hence a case citation is also necessary. This citation identifies where the case was reported and how you can locate it.
Reported Case Citation
The reported case citation tells us where to find a case if it has been reported.
For example, the citation for the case Chwee Kin Keong and others v Digilandmall.com Pte Ltd is as follows:
This citation tells us that the case may be found in volume 2 of the Singapore Law Reports (Reissue) for the year 2004 and that it starts on page 594.
Neutral Case Citation
An unreported case will not have a reported case citation but all cases have a neutral case citation - which are used to locate cases online even if they have not been published. The neutral citation of the case Chwee Kin Keong and others v Digilandmall.com Pte Ltd is as follows:
This citation tells us that this was the 71st case in 2004 decided in the Singapore High Court.
Other Jurisdictions
Here are some examples of case citations for other jurisdictions.
Don't understand the abbreviations? Try: