When citing a case, what should every citation begin with?

Every citation should begin with the case name because it is essential for identifying the legal dispute being referenced. The case name typically includes the names of the parties involved, which provides clarity and context about the legal matter at hand. By starting with the case name, the citation allows readers to quickly recognize the specific case being discussed, thus facilitating further research or examination of the case details.

In legal writing, the case name is conventionally formatted and stands out as a crucial element of the citation. It serves as a point of reference for both legal professionals and laypeople, making it easier to track the case through legal databases or court reports.

While the other components of a citation, such as the court name, date, and judge's name, are also important, they typically follow the case name, as the primary objective is to initially capture the essence of the case through its title.