Harvard referencing

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In-text example:
The Animals (Cruel Poisons) Act 1962 (10 & 11 Eliz. 2, c.26)
interprets ‘animal’ to mean any mammal.

Reference example:
Animals (Cruel Poisons) Act 1962 (10 & 11 Eliz. 2, c.26).

UK Statutes (Acts of Parliament) post-1963

Reference order:

  1. Name of Act (use short title)
  2. Date (no brackets)
  3. Available at: URL
  4. (Accessed: date)
  1. Name of sovereign
  2. Chapter number (in italics)
  3. Year of publication (in round brackets)
  4. Place of publication: publisher

In-text example:
Legislation is in place to protect those who lack
mental capacity (Mental Capacity Act 2005).

Reference example:
Mental Capacity Act 2005. Available at:
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2005/9/contents
(Accessed: 13 May 2019).
OR
Dangerous Dogs Act 1991: Elizabeth II. Chapter 65
(1991) London: The Stationery Office.

Government Department publication

Reference order:

  1. Name of government department
  2. Year of publication (in round brackets)
  3. Title (in italics)
  4. Place of publication: Publisher
  5. Series (in brackets) – if applicable.
  6. If referencing an online version replace Place of publication: Publisher with:
  7. Available at: URL
  8. (Accessed: date)

In-text example:
The Government’s objective on achieving balanced
economic growth is outlined in its ambitious programme
(Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, 2011).

Reference example:
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (2011)
Guide to BIS 2011-12 – working together for growth.
Available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guide-to-bis
​​​​​​​-2011-2012-working-together-for-growth (Accessed: 1 August 2011).

How to reference legal cases

Reference order:

1. Name of parties involved in the case (in italics)i.e. case name
2. Date in square brackets, if a volume number is used then date is in round brackets
3. Volume number (if used)
4. Abbreviation of name of report and first page of report
OR if online:
Case name (in italics)
[Year] or (Year)
Court and case number.
Database or website (in italics)
Available at: URL
(Accessed: date).

In-text example:
The case of Abramova v Oxford Institute of Legal Practice
[2011] upheld…

Reference example:
Abramova v Oxford Institute of Legal Practice [2011]
EWHC 613 (QB).


In-text example:
Re. C (1994) is a landmark case relating to mental
capacity and refusal of medical treatment.