Dear 1L: When to capitalize “court”

Dear 1L,

I’m keeping a list of recurring mistakes in law-student writing samples. 

This one is easy: make sure you know when to capitalize “court.”  

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🔷 CAPITALIZE SCOTUS (Supreme Court of the United States)

There is only one court that you ALWAYS must capitalize when referencing, regardless of the court where your case is pending:

    ⭐️ Always capitalize the United States Supreme Court. 

The Supreme Court is capitalized both the very first time you define it, and every time you refer back to it.  

    📍 NEVER refer back to the U.S. Supreme Court as “the court.” 

🔷 CAPITALIZE YOUR COURT

If your case is pending in the court to which you are writing or refering, you should capitalize that court, (absent any contrary, applicable local-rule or individual judge preference). 

Although arguably clear, it is not correct to say, “This court should grant the motion,” in your briefs. 

You don’t need to say “this.” Just say, “The Court should grant the motion.”

🔷 DO NOT CAPITALIZE OTHER COURTS

If you are referring to a court that is neither SCOTUS nor the court where your case is pending, do not capitalize “court” unless writing out the full, proper name of the court.

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Please let me know what questions you might have. The above issue seems to trip up a lot of students.  

Hope summer jobs are all going well!

Fondly,

Amanda

P.S. Follow —> #Dear1L (1,245 followers) to receive future letters.

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