Case Law: Federal Reporters

Reporters contain court decisions from state and federal courts. There are numerous reporters that publish decisions issued by specific courts.  

Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure 32.1

(a) Citation Permitted. A court may not prohibit or restrict the citation of federal judicial opinions, orders, judgments, or other written dispositions that have been: (i) designated as unpublished, not for publication, nonprecedential, not precedent, or the like; and (ii) issued on or after January 1, 2007.

Five Circuits – Not Binding Precedent But May Consider for Persuasive Value (1st, 4th, 8th, 10th, 11th )

Five Circuits – Not Binding Precedent But May Consider for Res Judicata or Collateral Estoppel (2nd, 3rd, 7th, 9th & Fed.)

5th – Before 1/1/96 Are Precedent.

May Consider for Res Judicata or Collateral Estoppel After 1/1/96

D.C. – After 2/1/02 May Be Cited for Precedential Effect

6th – No Rule

Slip opinions are single court decisions issued individually and quickly. Advance sheets are compiled opinions that are issued before the bound reporter volume is published.

For more information about reporters, consult the Reporters LibGuide linked below.

Parallel citations are references to the same case published in a different reporter or format.