A client recently asked me about capitalizing the word "court"� in briefs or other court filings. The question prompted me to check a few citation authorities to make sure there had not been any major changes on this point. I was surprised to find some conflict.

According to the Bluebook (I checked the 18th and 13th editions), the word "court"� should be capitalized only when naming a court in full or when referring to the United States Supreme Court. Both editions specifically include examples that refer, without capitalization, to the "state supreme court."� If you were using the full name of that court, however, it would be capitalized, as in the "Mississippi Supreme Court." The eighteenth edition adds the rule that "court"� should be capitalized when referring to the court that will receive the document.

According to the Redbook,"court"� should be capitalized when referring to the highest tribunal of any jurisdiction, once it has been identified, whether the United States Supreme Court or a state supreme court, and whatever court you are addressing.

The Chicago Manual of Style, based on the examples in section 8.69, agrees with the Bluebook.

Whatever rule you follow, be consistent.