(a) Punctuation

Begin each footnote with an initial capital letter and conclude with a full stop.

Where several sources are cited for one proposition in a footnote, separate them by semicolons. The final source should be preceded by “and”.

Eg 45 Edwards v O’Connor [1991] 2 NZLR 543 (CA); L G Thorne
& Co v Thomas Borthwick & Sons [1956] SR (NSW) 81 (SC); and State
Rail Authority v Heath Outdoor Ltd (1986) 7 NSWLR 170 (CA).

Only use punctuation where it is grammatically necessary and not to indicate abbreviation.

Eg CA

NOT C.A.

(b) Signals in footnotes

If a footnote is merely acting as an authority for the point in the main text, there is no need to provide an introductory signal.

Where the footnote is being used to provide additional or comparative information it is appropriate to use an introductory signal.

Do not use abbreviated introductory signals, such as “cf”, “f”, “ff” and “et seq”.

Examples of appropriate introductory signals are as follows:

“See” – used where:

(a) The source referred to is not direct authority for the proposition in the main text but that proposition can be inferred from the source.

(b) The source referred to is an opinion of an author rather than a statement of fact. It is usually appropriate to include in a footnote beginning with “see” some text indicating what the reader will see when consulting the source.

“See also” – used where the authority provides added support for the proposition.

“See generally” – used where the authority provides background information about the point in the main text.

“Compare” – used where the authority provides a useful comparison that helps to illustrate the proposition in the main text.

“But see” – used where the authority is in partial disagreement with the proposition in the main text.

“Contrast” – used where the authority directly contradicts the proposition in the main text.

“… and following” – used after a pinpoint reference to indicate that the following pages in the cited source are also relevant.