Simple English definitions for legal terms
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An index of authorities is a list of sources that are mentioned in a book or legal document. It is usually organized alphabetically and may have separate sections for cases, statutes, and treatises. Another name for this list is a table of authorities or table of cases.
An index of authorities is a list of sources that are cited in a book or legal brief. It is usually arranged alphabetically and may have subcategories for cases, statutes, and treatises. This index helps readers locate the sources that were used to support the arguments or ideas presented in the book or brief.
In the example above, the index of authorities includes a case (Roe v. Wade), a statute (Americans with Disabilities Act), and a treatise (Black's Law Dictionary). Each source is listed with its proper citation format, which includes the title, author, edition, and year of publication. This allows readers to easily find and reference the sources that were used in the book or brief.