REPORTS - The Law Mind Legal Dictionary

REPORTSAuthored

The Law Mind • 1283 words

Definition

Reports, in legal usage, refers primarily to published collections of judicial decisions — records of cases argued and determined before courts, compiled and issued for use as legal authority and precedent. The term carries two distinct but related meanings in legal research:

1. Case Reports (Law Reports): Organized, printed or written collections of judicial opinions, typically organized by court, jurisdiction, and time period. Case reports form the backbone of common law research, providing the documented record of how courts have interpreted and applied the law. Official reports are authorized by government or court authority; unofficial reports are commercially published but may carry equal practical weight.

2. Other Legal Reports: The term also applies to documentary products issued by courts, administrative agencies, legislative committees, or appointed bodies — such as a guardian ad litem's report to the court, a referee's report, a master's report, or an agency's investigative report filed in a proceeding. These are formal written accounts submitted as part of legal process.

Common Language

Modern common usage (Wiktionary): Plural of "report" — accounts, records, or formal statements describing events, findings, or conditions.

Historical common usage (Webster's 1913): A formal account or statement of the results of an investigation, inquiry, or official examination; also, the common talk or rumor.

The gap between common and legal meaning is not one of opposition but of precision. In ordinary usage, a "report" is any structured account. In law, "reports" as a term of art almost always signals case law materials — the collected judicial decisions that constitute binding or persuasive precedent. A researcher encountering "reports" in a legal citation or treatise should default to this specialized meaning unless context indicates otherwise.

Common Confusion

Reports vs. Digests: Case reports reproduce judicial opinions in full or substantial form. Digests organize and summarize those opinions by subject matter without reproducing them completely. Equity Cases Abridged, for example, was structured as a digest rather than true reports — a distinction Bouvier's flags explicitly. Researchers must recognize which they are using: reports provide the authoritative text; digests provide the finding tool.

Reports vs. Annotations: Annotated reports (as in the American Law Reports series) combine the full text of a selected case with editorial commentary and citations to related authority. These are reports enhanced with secondary analysis, not pure case reports.

Recognized Forms

/SUBTYPES

Official Reports: Published under court or governmental authority. In some jurisdictions, official reports are the authoritative citation source; unofficial versions yield to them in case of discrepancy.

Nominative Reports (Nominate Reports): Historical English and early American reports identified by the name of the reporter rather than a court or series title — e.g., Keble, Keilwey, Ellis & Blackburn. These dominate pre-nineteenth-century English common law research and require knowledge of individual reporters' reputations for accuracy.

Unofficial / Commercial Reports: Published by private legal publishers. In the United States, West's National Reporter System is the dominant example. These are widely cited and practically authoritative even where official reports also exist.

Annotated Reports: Selected cases republished with extensive editorial annotation drawing together related authority across jurisdictions (e.g., American Law Reports, A.L.R.).

Administrative and Procedural Reports: Reports in the sense of documents submitted within legal proceedings — a master's report, a guardian's report, a referee's findings — rather than collections of judicial decisions.

Why It Matters in Research

The single most important navigational point for Law Mind corpus researchers: when historical legal texts cite "reports," they almost always mean nominative reports identified by the reporter's name. Knowing that Keble covers King's Bench during the reign of Charles II, or that a citation to "Ellis & Blackburn" points to Queen's Bench from 1852 to 1858, is not optional background knowledge — it is the key that unlocks the citation.

Bouvier's includes a substantial catalogue of English nominative reporters with date ranges, court coverage, and volume counts. Researchers using that catalogue should treat it as a finding guide requiring cross-reference: reporter reputation varied widely, and Bouvier's itself notes that some nominatives (Keble is the example given) were considered inaccurate yet were still cited. An opinion found only in a poorly-regarded nominative reporter may warrant caution about accuracy of transcription.

American reports present their own complexity. Early American reporters were also nominative, transitioning to standardized state and regional series during the nineteenth century. The transition point differs by jurisdiction. A researcher moving between colonial-era or early republic materials and post-Civil War American cases will encounter a change in citation style that reflects this shift.

The secondary meaning — reports as procedural documents — matters in a different research context. A master's report, for example, carries specific procedural weight: courts typically review it under a deferential standard. Confusing a reference to a "report" in equity practice with a case report could send a researcher in the wrong direction entirely.

For researchers using Law Mind employment and consumer law materials, "reports" also surfaces as a regulatory term — consumer reports, employer background check reports — governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. This usage is entirely distinct from the case-law meaning and belongs to a separate analytical framework.

Historical Dictionary Support

Bouvier's treatment of reports is two-layered. The substantive entry defines reports as printed or written collections of judicially argued and determined cases and links their value directly to the doctrine of precedent, pointing researchers to the entries on judge-made law, precedent, and stare decisis for the theoretical framework. This cross-referencing is deliberate: Bouvier's treats reports not as self-contained objects but as instruments through which precedent operates.

The bulk of Bouvier's treatment, however, is bibliographic — a reporter-by-reporter catalogue of English and some American nominative series with dates, court coverage, volume counts, and assessments of reliability. The editorial comments on individual reporters (the note that Ellis & Blackburn stripped away extraneous matter to present only the essence of a case, or the dual assessment of Keble as an inaccurate reporter but tolerable historian of the law) reflect nineteenth-century practitioners' working knowledge of which reports could be trusted and which required independent verification.

What Bouvier's does not address is the twentieth-century transformation of legal reporting: the rise of comprehensive unofficial reporter systems, electronic databases, and the ongoing shift in many jurisdictions away from official print reporters toward digital-first citation standards. Researchers should treat Bouvoir's reporter catalogue as authoritative for historical English common law navigation but incomplete for anything beyond the mid-nineteenth century.

Jurisdictional Note

England and Wales moved to the standardized Law Reports series beginning in 1865, largely displacing nominative reporters for modern citation purposes. The United States has no single national system: federal courts use West's Federal Reporter and related series; state courts use a mix of official state reports, West's regional reporters, and increasingly, vendor-neutral citation formats. Several American states have discontinued official print reporters entirely. Commonwealth jurisdictions (Canada, Australia, New Zealand) have parallel but distinct reporting traditions.

Encyclopedia Cross-Reference

OSHA Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements — The Law Mind Employment & Labor Law Encyclopedia (employment_102): Covers mandatory regulatory reporting obligations distinct from case law reports.

Consumer Protection — Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) — The Law Mind Contracts & Commercial Law Encyclopedia (contracts_173): Addresses "consumer reports" as a defined statutory term under federal law.

Background Checks and the Fair Credit Reporting Act in Employment — The Law Mind Employment & Labor Law Encyclopedia (employment_12): Covers employer obligations under the FCRA, where "reports" carries specific statutory meaning.

REPORTSmain

Bouvier's Law Dictionary • 1928

A printed or written col- lection of accounts or relations of cases judicially argued and determined. The value and force of adjudicated pre- cedents, which is, to a grepter or less de- gree, acknowledged in the jurisprudence of all civilized countries, is elsewhere dis- cussed under the titles herein, judge-made law, precedent, and stare decisis. The greater weight given to precedent, how- ever, in England and America, makes the subject of law reporting one of the utmost interest and importance. The multiplica- tion of reports has given rise to much dis- cussion on the subject. In an able report to the American Bar Association, 1898, presented by Edward Q. Keasbey, it was suggested that the evils of excessive reports would be lessened if the court could be induced to write shorter opinions, especially when passing upon well-settled principles of law, and if the dissenting opinions were brief. The com- mittee thought that dissenting opinions should be published. Only the important cases should be reported, omitting those which decide only questions of fact, or re- affirm settled principles of law, the selec- tion to be made by the reporter. In pre- paring the syllabus all dicta should be omitted, and also propositions of law made by the court which were only arguendo. The reporter should state the facts even though they are stated by the court; an abstract of the arguments should be printed only in novel and important cases; Rep. Am. Bar Ass'n, 1898. Prior to the year 1800, there were only one or two American Reports. In Eng- land, however, there were very many, but before the period of official reporting, and particularly among the early reports, there is a great difference in the value of the re- ports published by volunteer reporters. While some of them are of the highest au- thority, both in England and America, others are of little or, in many cases, of no authority whatever, and it is of the highest importance that a lawyer in citing them should know the character of the volume cited. They are often mere note-books of law- yers or of students, or copies hastily and very inaccurately made from genuine manuscripts. In some instances one part of the book is good, when another is per- fectly worthless. This is especially true of the early Chancery Reports, which were generally printed as booksellers' " jobs." The failure to give due attention to the character of the old reports has led to grave judicial errors. Mr. Wallace, in "The Reporters," calls attention to the fact that the opinion of Chief Justice Marshall, which "had the effect of almost totally subverting in two states of our Union the entire law of charitable uses," relied upon the authority, which, twenty-five years afterwards, under the critical examination of Mr. Binney, was shown to be no author- ity, and the opinion passed upon it was overruled. The necessity of attention to the apparent value of the old reports is en- hanced by the fact that even in books of the worst authority, there are occasional cases well reported, and different parts of the same book are of very different value. The most thorough and satisfactory source of information on this subject is "The Reporters," the author of which made the most exhaustive investigations in London, and his work received the highest commen- dation from English judges: 5 C. B. N. 8. 854, where the book was characterized "as highly valuable and interesting," and one to which "they could not refrain from referring" on a question involving the rep- utation of one of the early English report- ers." Although want of space requires the omission in this revision of the detailed list of reports, a few of the comments upon the older reporters are given here in view of the fact that some of the sources from which they were drawn are out of print. For a history of the "Law Reports" in England, with much information on re- porting, see Daniel, History of the Origin of the Law Reports, 1884. See 1 Abbott's National Digest x, for much information as to the Federal Reports, other than those in supreme court. All of the federal cases (except in the Supreme Court) have been reprinted in a very val- uable series, in thirty volumes, under the name of "Federal Cases." See, generally, 1 Kent, 14th ed. 471; 9 L Quart. Rev. 179; 1 id. 187: Wambaugh, Study of Cases, passim; 2 Jurid. Soc. Pa- pers 745, "The Expediency of Digesting the Precedents of the Common Law, and Reg- ulating the Publication of Reports." For a list of reports, see Soule. Lawyers' Reference Manual, which gives the chron- ology of all reports. Among the English reporters the follow- ing possess little authority: Noy, Godbolt, Owen, Popham, Winch, March, Hutton, Ley, Lane, Hetley, Carter, J. Bridgman, Keble, Siderfin, Latch, several volumes of the "Modern" Reports, 3d Salkeld, Gil- bert's Cases in Law and Equity, the 1st and 2d parts of "Reports in Chancery." Chan- cery Cases. Reports temp. Finch, "Gilbert's Reports," 8th Taunton, Peake's Nisi Prius

REPORTSmain

Bouvier's Law Dictionary • 1928

Ellis (Thomas F.) & Blackburn (Colm). Q. B., 1852-58. 8 vols. Among modern reports few are more valued for the suc- cess with which extraneous matter is stripped off and nothing but the essence of the case presented to the reader. 9 Lond. Law Mag. 339. Equity Cases Abridged. Cases in the High Court of Ch., 1667-1744. 3 vols. This work is a digest, rather than reports, and is frequently cited. The first vol- ume, which is attributed to Pooley, is of excellent authority; the second, much less so. Fortesque (John). Select cases in all the courts of Westminster Hall, tempore Will. III., Anne, Geo. L., and Geo. II.; also the Opinion of all the Judges of England relative to the Grandest Prerog- atives of the royal family, and some observations relating to the Prerogative of a Queen-Consort. 1 vol. Freeman (Richard). K. B. and C. P., 1670- 1704. 1 vol. Freeman's note-book hav- ing been stolen by a student, and these reports published surreptitiously, they were for a long time but little esteemed. Of late, however, they have been re- edited, and enjoy a higher reputation than they formerly did. Lord Mansfield said, in Cowp. 16, "Some of the cases in Freeman are very well reported." Wal- lace, Report. 390. Gilbert (J.). Cases in Law and Eq., 1718- 15. 1 vol. A posthumous work, con- taining one or two cases well reported, but generally consisting of loose notes very badly edited. Wallace, Report. 251. Commonly cited as Gilbert's Cases. Hard wicke's Cases. Court of King's Bench at Westminster, 7th to 10th Geo. II., dur- ing which time Hardwicke presided in that court, to which are added some cases decided by Lee and two Equity cases by Hardwicke. Hetley (Sir Thomas). C. P., 1627-31. 1 vol. Not marked by any peculiar skill, accuracy, or information. Dougl. ix. Not valued. 2 Jurid. Soc. Papers 577. Hobart (Sir Henry). C. P. and Ch., 1-23 Jac. I. Hobart was a great judge; and these reports, which are by himself, have always been esteemed. Wallace (Re- port. p. 163) cites from Judge Jenkins a splendid tribute to his character. Holt. Reports tempore Holt. K. B., C. P., Exch., and Ch., 1688-1710. 1 vol., by Giles Jacob. (Taken from a MS. of Thomas Farresley.) In Rex v. Bishop of London, Lee, C. J., said this was a book of no authority. Howell (Thomas B.) & (Thomas J.). State Trials and Proceedings for High Treason and other Crimes and Misdemeanors, 1163-1820. 33 vols., and Index. Vol. 1-21, 1163-1783. T. B. Howell. 22-33, 1783-1820. T. J. Howell. This is an immense collection of cases, brought together by hunting through every collection in England, and, there- fore, having very different degrees of merit. For a full account of its char- acter and value, see Wallace's Report. 64. Hutton (Sir Richard). C. P., 1612-38. 1 vol. This book, says Mr. Wallace, seems to belong to that class of literary pro- ductions which do not obtain notoriety enough to be abused. Wallace, Report. 246. Jenkins (David). Exchequer, 1220-1623. 1 vol. Eight centuries, or eight hundred cases. See an interesting account of Jenkins, who was a Welsh judge, by Mr. D'Israeli, given in Wallace's Report. 71. The reports of Jenkins were prepared in prison, where Jenkins was put for his loyalty to Charles I. and kept for fifteen years. The book is of excellent author- ity. Jones (Sir William). K. B. and C. P., House of Lords, and Exch. Chamb., 1620- 41. It is a book of good authority. It is sometimes cited as 1st Jones, to distin- guish it from Sir Thomas Jones, which

REPORTSmain

Bouvier's Law Dictionary • 1928

is then correspondingly cited as 2d Jones. Keble (Joseph). K. B., 12-20 Car. II. 3 vols., an inaccurate reporter, yet a toler- able historian of the law; 3 Wils. 330. Not a satisfactory reporter, but a pretty good regier, and more esteemed of late, perhaps, than formerly. Wallace, Re- port. 315. Keilwey (Robert). K. B. and C. P. It also contains some cases incerti temporis, and some temp. Edw. III. The volume, having been edited by John Croke, is sometimes cited as Croke's Reports. See Wallace, Report. 119. Leonard (William). K. B., C. P., and Exch., 1540-1615. A very good and much- esteemed reporter; one of the best, in- deed, of the old books. See Wallace, Report. 142, citing Sugden, Lord Notting- ham, and Sir George Treby. Ley (Sir James). King's Bench, C. P., Ex., and Court of Wards, and Star Chamber, 1608-29. 1 vol. The book is seldom cited. Wallace, Report. 241. It is some- times cited as Leigh; id. 244. Lofft (Capel). K. B., C. P., and Ch., 1772- 74. 1 vol. Not a very highly esteemed reporter, but the only volume giving an account of the great case of the negro Somerset. Meeson (R.) & Welsby (W. N.). Exch. and Exch. Chamb.. 1836-47. 16 vols. Among the most useful and best reported of the modern English reports. Modern Cases in Law and Equity. See Modern Reports, parts 8 & 9; in 1 Burr. 386, it is observed, that it is a miserable, bad book, and in 3 Burr. 1326, the court said they treated it with the contempt it deserved. Modern Reports. Select Cases in the K. B.. C. P., Ch., and Exch., 1669-1755. 12 vols. By various hands, and of various degrees of excellence; some are very in- ferior. See much learning on the subject in Wallace, Report. 347-390. See Modern Cases in Law and Equity. Moore (Edmund F.). Cases in Privy Council New Series, 1862-73. 9 vols. Vol. 3. p. 347 to the end, and vols. 4-9 are identical word for word with 1-4 Law Reports, Privy Council. Moore (Francis). K. B., C. P., Exch., and Ch., 1512-1612.. 1 vol. Moore's Reports are printed from a genuine manuscript, and are esteemed valuable and accurate. Mosely (William). High Court of Ch., time of King, 1726-30. 1 vol. Con- demned by Lord Mansfield, but perhaps on insufficient ground. Lord Eldon, a better judge of the merits of a Chancery Reporter, spoke well of it (19 Ves. 488, n.), as did also Mr. Hargrave. Wallace, Report. 504. New Reports. See Bosanquet & Puller. Noy (William). K. B. and C. P., 1559- 1649. 1 vol. This is an abridgment by Serjeant Size, who when a student bor- rowed Noy's Reports and abridged them for his own use. Vide Ventr. 81; 2 Keb. 652; for a full account see Wallace, Re- port. 154. Plowden (Edmund). K. B., C. P., and Exch., 1550-80. 1 vol. Probably the most full, finished, and thoroughly ac- curate of the old reporters; always highly esteemed. For an amusing illustration of subtle argumentation, see the case of Hales v. Petit, as quoted by Wallace, Report. 147, where he shows it to be the original of the grave-digger's scene in Hamlet. Raymond (Lord Robert). K. B. and C. P., 1694-1734. 3 vols. Some of the earlier cases in Lord Raymond, having been taken when he was a young man, or cop- ied from the papers of his different young friends, have not been so highly esteemed, perhaps, as his other cases, which are, generally speaking, his own. As a whole, his reports are highly re- spected, and often cited, even in this day and country. Wallace. Report. 401. Ridgeway (William). K. B. and Ch., at the time Lord Hardwicke presided in those courts. King's Bench, 1736, Chancery, 1744-45. Salkeld (William). K. B., Ch., C. P., and Exch., 1 Will. III. to 10 Anne. 3 vols. The third volume having been published from notes less carefully prepared than the first two, is not accounted as of the highest authority. Saville (Sir John). C. P. and Exch., 1580- 94. This book, says Wallace (Report. 197), appears to be in the condition of Pope's most women," and to have no character at all. I have not found a word upon it, either of censure or of praise. Sayer (Joseph). K. B., 1751-56. 1 vol. "An inaccurate reporter." 1 Sugd. Vend. 80. Select Chancery Cases. High Court of Ch. Containing the great cases of the Duke of Norfolk, and of the Earls of Bath and Montague. (This is part 3 of Chancery Cases, and is usually bound with parts 1 & 2.) Strange (Sir John). Ch., K. B., C. P., and Exch. 2 vols. Authoritative, though too brief in the style of reporting. Mr. Nolan, in 1795, published a new edition, which has rendered Strange more valu- able than he was. Wallace, Report. 420. Style (William). K. B.. "now Upper Bench." 1646-1655. Printed from a gen- uine manuscript, and esteemed. Taunton (William P.). C. P. and other Cts., 1807-19. 8 vols. The eighth volume of Taunton is not very highly esteemed, having been made up from his notes and not supervised by him. Wallace. Report. 533, note; 9 Lond. Law Mag. 339. Vaughan (Sir J.). C. P., 1665-74. 1 vol. Edited by Edward Vaughan. Contain- ing some cases from his own perfected manuscript, very well report

reportsnoun

Wiktionary (English) • 2026

Wiktionary contributors • CC BY-SA 4.0 • via Kaikki
Extracted and formatted for display by Law Mind. Source link opens the current Wiktionary page and its contributor history; it is not a frozen copy of this extract.

plural of report

reportsverb

Wiktionary (English) • 2026

third-person singular simple present indicative of report

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