Notice to the Profession

Update to Lists of Authorities and Citations Practice Note (GPN-AUTH)

On 7 May 2025, the Court published an updated version of the Lists of Authorities and Citations Practice Note (GPN-AUTH). Changes have been made to paras [2.4], [2.5] and [2.6] of GPN-AUTH. The changes are summarised as follows:

• While medium neutral citations must be provided where available, authorised report citations need not be provided if this is not possible.
• It is sufficient to refer to the medium neutral citation paragraph numbers of a judgment rather than page numbers in any written or oral submissions.
• The Court prefers references to paragraph numbers where available.

These changes respond to access to justice concerns raised by the profession, particularly in relation to the availability of authorised reports to litigants in person, sole practitioners, and small firms. They are made following a consultation with the profession, the responses to which were reviewed by Justices Thawley and Downes.

D S Mortimer
Chief Justice

7 May 2025