AGLC4 Rule 8.3.1: Opened for Signature (Open Multilateral Treaties)

A multilateral treaty that is open to states generally is cited with the words opened for signature and the date of conclusion, then the treaty series, then the date of entry into force in a bracket. Where the United Nations General Assembly adopted the treaty, its adoption date will usually be the date of conclusion.

AGLC4 page 135

Format

Quoted from the Guide, page 135
Treaty Title, opened for signature Date of Conclusion, Treaty Series (entered into force Date of Entry into Force).

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

Formatting

  • The words opened for signature are roman and lower case, and follow the comma after the title.
  • The date of conclusion is written day, month in full, year, with no internal commas.
  • A comma follows the date of conclusion, then the treaty series citation.
  • The entry into force information sits in round brackets after a single space: the roman lower case words entered into force followed by the date.
  • No comma precedes the entry into force bracket.
  • The citation ends with a full stop after the bracket, or after the pinpoint if one is given.

Example

Quoted from the Guide, page 135
  1. 6
    Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, opened for signature 28 July 1951, 189 UNTS 150 (entered into force 22 April 1954).

See also

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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.