In a treaty citation, which is the correct order of elements?

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When citing a treaty, you present the document itself first, then the exact provision you’re referencing, followed by the date of the treaty, and finally the official publication reference with its year. The treaty name is the primary identifier, so it should come first. The article or provision number (art. x) is the precise location within the instrument. The date anchors the document in time—signing or effective date—so you know which version you’re dealing with. The treaty series citation with the year points to the exact official source (such as the United Nations Treaty Series or another treaty series) where the text can be found, and the year helps distinguish editions or printings.

For example, you would format it as: Treaty name, art. x, date, treaty series citation (Year). This sequence makes the citation clear and navigable: identify the instrument, pinpoint the clause, situate it in time, and provide the precise bibliographic trail to the text.