The Bloomberg Law Citator, BCite, is a tool that can be used to validate whether a case is good law, as well as to research other cases on point. Below is a description of the main components.

Composite Analysis

The Composite Analysis is a visual representation of the Direct History and Citation Analysis portions of BCite, displaying the overall status of the case.

Composite

Definition

Indicator

Positive

This composite results from the Citation Analysis. Either no courts have cited to this opinion, or one or more courts cite to, discuss or follow this opinion with approval.

Distinguished

This composite results from the Citation Analysis. One or more courts differentiate this opinion on the law or the facts.

Caution

This composite results from either the Direct History or Citation Analysis.  If the Caution composite results from the Direct History, the opinion has been modified, clarified, or amended by a subsequent decision within the Direct History.  If the Caution composite results from the Citation Analysis, one or more courts have criticized the legal reasoning of the opinion without overruling it.

Superseded by Statute

This composite results from the Citation Analysis. One or more courts state that this opinion has been superseded, displaced or rendered obsolete by an intervening statute, rule or regulation.

Negative

This composite results from either the Direct History or Citation Analysis. If the Negative composite results from the Direct History, the opinion has been reversed, vacated, or depublished in full or in part by a subsequent decision within the Direct History. If the Negative composite results from the Citation Analysis, one or more courts have overruled the opinion in full or in part, or stated that the opinion has been overruled in full or in part by a previous decision.

Pending

This opinion is under review.

Citation Analysis and Table of Authorities

The Citation Analysis summarizes the analysis of the main opinion by cases that subsequently cite the opinion. Table of Authorities summarizes the analysis by the main opinion of cases cited within that opinion.

Analysis

Definition

Indicator

Cited

Court positively cites this opinion as legal precedent.

Discussed

Court positively discusses this opinion, providing additional detail about the facts or the law.

Followed

Court follows this opinion as controlling or persuasive authority.

Distinguished

Court distinguishes this opinion from another opinion based on differences between their facts or controlling law.

Criticized

Court criticizes the legal reasoning of this opinion without overruling it. 

Superseded by Statute

Court states that this opinion has been superseded, displaced or rendered obsolete by an intervening statute, rule or regulation.

Prior Overruling

Court states that this opinion has been overruled in full or in part by a prior decision.

Overruled in Part

Court overrules a portion of this opinion.

Overruled

Court overrules this opinion in full.

Pending

The opinion is under review.

Functionality

Explanation

Indicator

Strength of Authorities Indicator

The blue portion of this bar correlates with the number of times the listed case is cited.

Expand/Hide Extracts

This functionality displays the portion of the opinion where the case is referenced.

Direct History

The Direct History displays the progression of a case through the court system and lists cases related to the main opinion. It also displays the normalized result of each case within the Direct History, which represents the ultimate outcome of the case. It also displays links for cases that are affected by the outcome of subsequent cases.

Functionality

Explanation

Indicator

Controversy Group Indicator

This indicator shows that the listed case is not in the same direct line of history as the main case, but is related.

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