How to say the "v" in a court case name?

Question

If have a court case such as "Brown v. Board of Education" and I want to verbally say the name of the court case, how do I pronouce the "v"? Do I say "Brown versus Board of Education?" "Brown vee Board of Education?" I would appriciate a citation too if anyone has it. Thanks!!

Answer 1

Probably depends on your audience. Lawyers and judges and law professors, when speaking, say "vee." If you are giving a speech and you don't think that your audience is going to pick up what the v means from the context, then I guess you would say versus...

Only citation is in my personal experience.

Answer 2

I would agree with my esteemed colleagues, but would add this qualifier--
Oftentimes, if I'm using the "full name" of a case, I would use the word "versus" -- like "Brown versus the Board of Education (of ___, Kansas)" But when I get to a short name, I'd say "Brown vee Board". I think this is just personal preference; most lawyers would say "vee." I've even heard some old-timers say "against," like "Brown against Board of Ed." (Strange, I know).

Answer 3

I've been an attorney since 1993 and most lawyers will use them interchangeably. Most of the time, I use "vee" instead of "versus", but judges understand both. The general public is more used to hearing "versus", but it depends on your audience as another person correctly observed.

Answer 4

Answerman is right, and OldeSalt is wrong. Although you could say "versus," lawyers almost never do. We just say "vee." I don't know any citation for this, but I have been talking law talk for a LONG time.

Answer 5

versus

Answer 6

VERSUS of course. That's what the V stands for. The V is only used in WRITING, not speaking.

Answer 7

Go with the "vee". It makes you sound like you know what you're talking about.

Answer 8

Versus, or V. either is proper, and understood.