AGLC4 Rule 3.1.6: Definitions

An unnumbered definition is cited through the provision that contains it, followed by a bracketed note naming the defined term. A particular paragraph of the definition is added inside that bracket. A definition that has its own number is cited like any other provision.

AGLC4 page 72

Format

Quoted from the Guide, page 72
s Section Number (definition of ‘Defined Term’)

A boxed element is filled in with the source's details; everything outside a box is written exactly as shown.

Formatting

  • The pinpoint to the section, schedule or other part holding the definition comes first.
  • The designation s and the section number are swapped for whatever part of the Act actually holds the definition, such as a schedule or a dictionary part.
  • A space then an opening round bracket follow the pinpoint.
  • Inside the bracket the words definition of precede the defined term.
  • The defined term is in single quotation marks and is roman.
  • A paragraph of the definition is shown inside the same bracket, after the closing quotation mark, as para, a space and the paragraph number in its own brackets.
  • No comma separates the defined term from para.
  • A definition paragraph is never attached to the section number as if it were a subsection.
  • A definition carrying its own number is cited as an ordinary pinpoint under rules 3.1.4 and 3.1.5, without the definition bracket.

Examples

Quoted from the Guide, page 72
  1. 24
    Property Law Act 1958 (Vic) s 3 (definition of ‘legal practitioner’).
  2. 25
    Evidence Act 2008 (Vic) Dictionary pt 1 (definition of ‘civil proceeding’).
  3. 26
    Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) s 9 (definition of ‘administrator’ para (a)(i)). [Not: … (Cth) s 9(a)(i).]
  4. 27
    Human Rights Act 2004 (ACT) s 5. [Not: … s 5 (definition of ‘human rights’).]
  5. 28
    Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2009 (Qld) sch 2 (definition of ‘GHG well’ para (1)). [Not: … (definition of ‘GHG well’, para (1)).]

Not

Quoted from the Guide, page 72
  • [Not: … (Cth) s 9(a)(i).]
    the paragraph belongs to the definition, so it goes in the definition bracket and not after the section number
  • [Not: … s 5 (definition of ‘human rights’).]
    this definition has its own provision number, so it is cited as a normal section without the bracket
  • [Not: … (definition of ‘GHG well’, para (1)).]
    no comma comes between the defined term and para

See also

Check your footnotes against these rules

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Formats, examples, passages, tables and the forms marked Not are quoted from the Australian Guide to Legal Citation (4th ed, Melbourne University Law Review Association, 2018), with the page of the Guide they appear on. Titles, summaries and explanations are our own.