Legal Abbreviations

Online Resources

Cardiff Index to Legal Abbreviations (Open Access)

Created by Cardiff University in Wales, this database allows you to search for full titles of abbreviations AND abbreviations of full titles.

Publications from over 295 jurisdictions are included in the Cardiff Index - English language legal publications from the British Isles, the Commonwealth and the USA, and major foreign language law publications.

The database mainly covers law reports and legal periodicals but some other legal publications are also included. Go to the Cardiff Index to Legal Abbreviations (Open Access).

Monash University Legal Abbreviations (Open Access)

Created by the Monash University Law Library, this guide lists legal abbreviations for Australian and international law reports, law journals, legal organisations, courts, etc. Go to Monash University's Legal Abbreviations (Open Access).

LexisNexis CaseBase Abbreviations (login required)

LexisNexis uses 'inhouse' abbreviations for law reports and journals on its platform. If you are using a LexisNexis platform and cannot work out what an abbreviation stands for, use this list. Go to LexisNexis CaseBase Abbreviations.

Print Resources

Raistrick/Index to Legal Citations and Abbreviations

Raistrick, Donald, Index to Legal Citations and Abbreviations (Sweet & Maxwell, 4th ed, 2017)

This book is the most comprehensive source of legal abbreviations available. It is particularly useful for older material, such as nominate reports, and obscure titles that are not listed on some of the online databases. Link to catalogue.

The most recent edition of 'Raistrick' is not for loan. Ask Library staff for access. Earlier editions are on the open shelves at K 112 and are available for loan.

Prince's Bieber Dictionary of Legal Abbreviations

Prince, Mary Miles, Prince's Bieber Dictionary of Legal Abbreviations: A reference guide for attorneys, legal secretaries, paralegals, and law students (Hein, 7th ed, 2009)

Available in print in the High Use collection at K 114 PRIN. Link to the catalogue.

The previous 6th edition is available for loan see the catalogue.