What is the difference between ALWD and Bluebook?

ALWD and Bluebook are almost the same, with only a few small differences. Bluebook is an authenticated source of rules which define how to refer a legal reference appropriately. It was published due to some handy teamwork by Harvard, Yale, and Columbia. ALWD stands for the Association of Legal Writing Directors. It provides an alternative to the Bluebook. ALWD published it’s manual in 2000, while Bluebook came into fruition back in 1926.

Bluebook enjoyed a prominent run for many years, as there was no other system available until ALWD. The ALWD method is said to be more laid back and flexible, modern, reliable, and easy. The ALWD manual is said to be less complicated and easier to read compared to Bluebook. ALWD never uses small caps. Bluebook, on the other hand, has the case names in ALWD underlined or italicized.