EndNote for legal referencing

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This guide will show you how to use EndNote with the Australian Guide to Legal Citation (AGLC). Before you use this guide please download EndNote and set up your EndNote Library.

  1. Setting up EndNote for the AGLC
  2. Add materials to your EndNote Library
  3. Insert references using Microsoft Word
  1. Subsequent references
  2. Format your bibliography
  3. Watch the video

2. Add materials to your EndNote Library

There are two ways to add research materials to your EndNote Library: manual entry and importing a citation from a database.

Add references manually

Most of the primary sources of law — cases, legislation, treaties — will need to be manually added to your EndNote Library. 

  1. Open your EndNote Library
  2. Click References then New Reference
  3. Select the appropriate reference type from the drop-down menu
  4. Enter author and editor names in the format - Last name, First name or First name Last name. For publications with multiple authors/editors, add each author/editor on a separate line.
  5. Enter information in each field e.g. what you need for your reference list and any additional fields for your personal preference.

If you are citing a source multiple times, it can be helpful to add a short title to the EndNote record.

Cases

There are a number of reference type options for entering cases. Most Australian decisions may be added by creating a New Reference and choosing Case (Reported) or Case (Medium Neutral). 

If you were entering this reported case, R v Tang (2008) 237 CLR 1, you would need to add information in the following fields:

  • Year - Round brackets
  • Case Name
  • Law Report Abbreviation
  • Reporter Volume
  • Starting Page
  • Short Title — the short title can be added if you will refer to the case more than once. If you do not want a short title use the reference type option Case (Reported, without short title).
EndNote reported case record with required fields completed

Legislation

There are a number of reference types for entering legislation from varied jurisdictions. Enter Australian legislation by creating a New Reference and Statute or Statute without Short Title. To enter the Property Law Act 1958 (Vic) with a short title of 'Property Act', you would need to add add information in the following fields:

  • Year
  • Title of Act of Regulation
  • Jurisdiction
  • Short Title
EndNote Statute record with required fields completed

Importing references from Library Search, databases and other places

There are many other databases or research tools that allow you to directly import references to your Library. The databases below contain selected legal materials:

  • Library Search
  • Google Scholar
  • Scopus
  • Web of Science.

You can import references into your Library from most databases by following these general instructions.

  1. Select the references you would like to export
  2. Choose Export, Download or a similar option
  3. Select Export format: Endnote or RIS if required
  4. Export All Available Information
  5. Click OK
  6. Select Open with EndNote or Open with ResearchSoft Direct Export Helper (or another similar option)
  7. Check that the references have been imported into your library and are accurate.

Legal databases that work with EndNote

HeinOnline

The HeinOnline databases allow you to export journal article references.

To import individual references to your EndNote Library:

  1. choose the article from your search results
  2. select Cite button
  3. select Export to EndNote.
Exporting a reference from HeinOnline

To export mulitple items from HeinOnline, you need to set up a free MyHein Account. Read how to export or email search results for more information.

AGIS Plus Text

AGIS Plus Text allows users to download individual references. To import references from AGIS Plus Text:

  1. choose the article from your search results
  2. choose export citation
  3. select EndNote
  4. download.
Exporting a reference from AGIS Plus Text