Using the Add/Modify Authority Function

Using the Add/Modify Authority Function

Using the Add/Modify Authority Function


Overview

The Add/Modify Authority function in Benchly allows users to manually add new citations or edit existing ones in the Found Authority Panel. This feature is especially useful for linking unidentified short cites (e.g., "Id.") to their primary authorities or for adding obscure citations not captured during the automated Find operation.

How to Use the Add/Modify Authority Function

  1. Open the Found Authority Panel:
    • Ensure the Found Authority Panel is open by clicking Review on the Benchly ribbon.
  2. Highlight the Citation:
    • In your document, highlight the text you want to add or modify as a citation, as shown below:

  1. Click Add/Modify Authority:
    • Click the Add/Modify Authority button in the Found Authority Panel.
  2. Add or Modify the Citation:
    • A dialog box will appear with the following options:
      • Primary Authority:
        • Select this if the citation is a standalone reference.
      • Subsequent Authority:



        • Select this if the citation is a short cite (e.g., "Id.") and needs to be linked to a primary authority.

 

 

 

 


  1. Assign the Citation to a Section:
    • Select the appropriate category (e.g., Cases, Statutes, Rules) from the Found Authority Panel. If no suitable category exists, use the Authorities button to create a custom section.
  2. Apply Changes:
    • Click Apply to save the changes. The citation will now appear in the appropriate section of the Found Authority Panel and be included in the TOA.

Best Practices

  1. Link Short Cites:
    • Use this function to link subsequent references like "Id." or "Supra" to their primary authorities for consistency.
  2. Categorize Correctly:
    • Ensure all citations are assigned to the correct section to maintain a properly organized TOA.
  3. Avoid Duplicates:
    • Check the Found Authority Panel for existing similar entries to avoid duplication.

Troubleshooting

  • Unrecognized Text:
    • If Benchly doesn’t recognize a citation, manually highlight and add it using this feature.
  • Incorrect Assignments:
    • If a citation is placed in the wrong section, use the Move function to reassign it.