Author Guidelines
Overview
- The American Journal of Law & Human Rights (AJLHR) follows international standards for manuscript submission, ensuring academic rigor and ethical compliance.
- Authors must adhere to the prescribed formatting, citation style, and ethical guidelines.
- Submissions not meeting these standards may be returned for revision before peer review.
Manuscript Types
- Original Research Articles: Analytical or empirical research contributing to the field of law and human rights.
- Review Articles: Comprehensive discussions of existing legal frameworks, case law, and human rights policies.
- Case Law Analysis: Critical evaluations of significant judicial rulings and their implications.
- Policy Papers & Legal Reforms: Proposals and critiques on legal policies, governance, and legislative developments.
- Comparative Law Studies: Evaluations of legal systems across jurisdictions and their impact on human rights.
- Legal Commentary & Opinion Pieces: Expert opinions on pressing legal and human rights issues.
Required Sections
- Title
- Author Names and Affiliations
- Abstract (Max 250 words)
- Keywords (4-10 keywords)
- Introduction
- Legal Framework & Analysis
- Discussion & Case Law Review
- Conclusions & Policy Implications
- Acknowledgements
- References (Bluebook or APA Style)
- Figures, Tables, and Legal Documents (if applicable)
- Appendices (if applicable)
Manuscript Format
Language: Manuscripts must be written in clear and formal English.
File Format: Manuscripts should be submitted in Microsoft Word (.docx) format.
Font And Spacing: Use Times New Roman, 12 pt font, double-spaced with 1-inch margins.
Word Limit:
Original Research: 6,000 - 10,000 words (excluding references and appendices)
Review Articles: 8,000 - 12,000 words
Case Law Analysis: 5,000 - 8,000 words
Short Commentaries: 2,000 - 4,000 words
Figures And Tables:
Resolution: Minimum 300 DPI for clarity.
Format: JPEG, PNG, or TIFF for images; Tables should be in editable Word format.
Placement: Figures and tables should be inserted at relevant sections in the text with sequential numbering.
Abstract And Keywords
- Abstract: The abstract should concisely summarize the research scope, legal questions addressed, methodology, and key findings.
- Keywords: Authors should provide 4-10 relevant keywords describing the legal and human rights aspects of their manuscript.
Citation And Referencing
Format: References must adhere to the **Bluebook Citation Style** for legal manuscripts and **APA Style** for interdisciplinary research.
Example Bluebook: Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483 (1954).
Example A P A: Smith, J. (2022). The evolution of human rights law in international courts. Human Rights Review, 14(2), 123-145.
Cover Letter
- Each submission must include a cover letter specifying:
- • The manuscript type (Original Research, Review, etc.).
- • A brief summary of the study’s contribution to legal or human rights scholarship.
- • Confirmation that the manuscript is not under review elsewhere.
- • Disclosure of any potential conflicts of interest.
- • A list of suggested reviewers (optional).
Submission Process
Platform: Authors must submit their manuscripts through the journal’s online submission system.
Link: /journals/american-journal-of-law-human-rights/submit
Steps:
- Register or log in to the submission system.
- Complete the submission form with manuscript details (title, authors, abstract, keywords).
- Upload the manuscript and any supporting legal documents or appendices.
- Confirm compliance with the journal’s guidelines and submit.
- Track submission status via the author dashboard.
Peer Review Process
Type: All submissions undergo a **double-blind peer review** to maintain fairness and academic integrity.
Steps:
- Editorial Screening: Initial check for adherence to submission guidelines and relevance to the journal’s scope.
- Reviewer Assignment: Manuscripts passing screening are assigned to at least two independent legal experts for review.
- Reviewer Feedback: Authors receive detailed feedback and recommendations (Accept, Minor Revisions, Major Revisions, Reject).
- Revisions: Authors must respond to reviewer comments and submit a revised manuscript if required.
- Final Decision: The editorial board makes the final publication decision based on the revised submission.
Review Timeline: The review process typically takes 4-6 weeks.
Publication Ethics
Originality: Manuscripts must be original, unpublished, and not under consideration elsewhere.
Plagiarism Policy: All submissions undergo plagiarism screening. A similarity index above 20% may result in desk rejection.
Conflict Of Interest: Authors must disclose any financial or personal relationships that may affect their research.
Ethical Approvals: Research involving human subjects, surveys, or case law must comply with relevant ethical standards and approvals.
Publication Charges
Apc Statement: To support Open Access, authors are required to pay an Article Processing Charge (APC) upon acceptance.
Fees:
High Income Countries: $1500
Middle Income Countries: $1000
Low Income Countries: $500
Waivers And Discounts: Waivers and discounts are available for authors from low-income countries or under special circumstances.
Copyright And License
License: All articles are published under the **Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0)**, allowing unrestricted distribution with proper citation.
Authors Rights: Authors retain copyright while granting the journal non-exclusive publishing rights.