A legal treatise is a book or set of books on a legal topic that are written by experts. Sometimes students get confused between "treatise" and "treaty." A treatise is a scholarly book or set of books about a legal topic. It is a secondary source. A treaty is a primary source legal agreement between countries. A good treatise is thorough, explaining and even critiquing, the law. A treatise can be an extremely useful secondary source for research because it gathers such detailed information on a particular legal topic or issue into one publication.
If you practice in a certain area of law, you will become familiar with the well-known and highly respected treatises in that area. If you are unfamiliar with an area of law, consult a research guide on that area of law written by a law librarian.
Indexes
Table of Contents
Many treatises are updated by pocket parts or supplements. Some treatises, known as "loose-leafs" are updated by new pages being inserted into a binder.
There are many treatises available through Lexis, Westlaw, and Bloomberg Law.
You can use OneSearch to see if a book is available in our library or another UC library.
The book will be delivered to the Law Library and we will deliver it to you when it arrives. Be aware that it may take 7 or more days to arrive. Note that even if checking out a book for a UC journal, YOU and not the journal are responsible for that book. Be sure and renew and return your books as needed. Check your account to see when books are due or renew books at My Library Card.
If a book you want is not available in in OneSearch at a UC or OhioLink Library, you will need to submit an Interlibrary Loan Request.
The book will be delivered to the Law Library and you will receive an email in your UC email account when it comes. Be aware that it may take 10 or more days to arrive. Circulation loan periods will vary. Renewal options will also vary.
Some books may be available via Google Books. Primarily, these are books within the public domain. Limited previews may be offered for other books. If you need a copy of a book found through Google Books, please check WorldCat and fill out an Interlibrary Loan Request.
Available to Law Students only (see a reference librarian if you do not have a CALI activation code).
Rule 15 of The Bluebook (22nd ed. 2025) covers citing treatises. There are many variables in citing a treatise so definitely consult the rule for its many permutations.
Generally, a citation to a treatise should contain the following elements:
2 Joseph M. Perillo & Helen Hadjiyannakis Bender, Corbin on Contracts § 1.1 (1993).
Rule 20 of The ALWD Citation Manual (7th ed.) covers the citation of books.
2 Joseph M. Perillo & Helen Hadjiyannakis Bender, Corbin on Contracts § 1.1 (1993).
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