Legal Citation Style

Full title in italics

e.g. Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, 4 November 1950, ETS No. 005 (entered into force 5 May 1910).

If not included in title, include shortened names (if only 2 parties) if more than 2 parties include names at the end of the citation in parentheses (p. E-67)

e.g. Agreement for the Exchange of Parcels by Post, and Detailed Regulations annexed thereto, British Guiana and Curacao, 31 March 1942, 205 UNTS 13 (entered into force 30 September 1944).

Date 1st signed or "opened for signature"

e.g. Protocol replacing the North American Free Trade Agreement with the Agreement between Canada, the United States of America, and the United Mexican States, 30 November 2018, Can TS 2020/5 (entered into force 1 July 2020).

Treaties are published in a series - which needs to be noted (see left side column for more information about treaty series abbreviations)

e.g. Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, 4 November 1950, ETS No. 005 (entered into force 5 May 1910).

May include: names of 3 parties or more, number of ratifications, or status of countries.

e.g. Agreement to Prevent Unregulated High Seas Fisheries in the Central Arctic Ocean, 3 October 2018, Can TS 2021/11 (entered into force 25 June 2021 Canada, People's Republic of China, Kingdom of Denmark, Iceland, Japan, Republic of Korea, Kingdom of Norway, Russian Federation, United States of America, European Union). 

The McGill Guide does not require URLs for citing treaties. APA 7th ed. (2020) states including URLs are optional but can be included to help the reader to find the case (p. 358). Check with your instructor on their preference. 

e.g. Exchange of Notes constituting an Agreement to renew the Framework Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the United States of America for Cooperation in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space for Peaceful Purposes, done at Washington, on 9 September 2009, 11 May 2020, Can TS 2021/9 (entered into force 17 March 2021). https://www.treaty-accord.gc.ca/Treaty_Docs/PDF/105632.pdf

In italics

e.g. Maintenance of international peace and security, S/Res/2553, UNSCOR, 2020, 1.

e.g. Maintenance of international peace and security, S/Res/2553, UNSCOR, 2020, 1.

Use the acronym for the UN body and add "OR" to the end 

United Nations Security Council becomes UNSC + OR

e.g. Maintenance of international peace and security, S/Res/2553, UNSCOR, 2020, 1.

Provide one of the following years (in this order of preference):

1. Session number

2. "Year of the body since its inception"

3. Calendar year

e.g. United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Mandela Rules), A Res 70/175, UNGAOR, 70th Sess, Supp No 49, UN Doc A/RES/70/175 (2015), 1. 

Only needed if not already identified in citation (for example in the title)

e.g. United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Mandela Rules), A Res 70/175, UNGAOR, 70th Sess, Supp No 49, UN Doc A/RES/70/175 (2015), 1. 

Include if possible

e.g. United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, A Res 61/295, UNGAOR, 61st Sess, Supp No 53, UN Doc A/RES/61/295 (2007), 1.

Include if possible

e.g. United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Mandela Rules), A Res 70/175, UNGAOR, 70th Sess, Supp No 49, UN Doc A/RES/70/175 (2015), 1 at 10.

The McGill Guide does not require URLs for citing UN documents. APA 7th ed. (2020) states including URLs are optional but can be included to help the reader to find the case (p. 358). Check with your instructor on their preference. 

e.g. United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Mandela Rules), A Res 70/175, UNGAOR, 70th Sess, Supp No 49, UN Doc A/RES/70/175 (2015), 1. https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/Documents/ProfessionalInterest/NelsonMandelaRules.pdf