Publishing your legal research in De Facto Law Journal is a structured and transparent process designed to ensure high-quality academic contributions. Follow these steps to successfully submit and publish your paper.
1. Select a Relevant and Original Topic
Before starting your research, it is essential to choose a topic that is both original and relevant to contemporary legal discourse. The journal welcomes submissions on a wide range of socio-legal issues, constitutional law, criminal law, intellectual property law, and emerging legal challenges. Ensure that your topic aligns with the journal’s focus and contributes meaningful insights to the legal community.
2. Prepare Your Manuscript According to Submission Guidelines
Once you have finalized your topic, the next step is drafting your manuscript. The paper must adhere to the following formatting and structural requirements:
- The manuscript should be in MS Word format.
- The title of the manuscript should be clear and relevant to the research.
- The content must be original and unpublished, ensuring no plagiarism.
- The paper must be free from grammatical, typographical, and structural errors.
- Authors must follow a uniform method of citation, such as Bluebook, OSCOLA, or any other recognized citation format.
- The body text should be in Times New Roman, font size 12, 1.5 line spacing, while footnotes should be in font size 10, single spacing.
- Margins should be 4 cm on all sides, and page borders should not be used.
- The paper must fall within the prescribed word limits, depending on the type of submission:
- Articles: 3,000–5,000 words (including footnotes)
- Short Notes: 2,000–3,000 words (including footnotes)
- Book Reviews: 1,000–2,000 words (including footnotes)
- Case Commentaries: 1,000–3,000 words (including footnotes)
3. Submit Your Manuscript Online
After preparing your manuscript, you must submit it through the designated online submission portal. Visit the official De Facto Law Journal website and complete the submission form by providing:
- Full names of all authors
- Institutional affiliation
- Email addresses and contact details
- The final manuscript in the prescribed format
A confirmation email will be sent to the author(s) upon successful submission.
4. Peer Review and Editorial Evaluation
Once submitted, your paper undergoes a rigorous review process to ensure its quality and relevance. The review consists of the following steps:
- Editorial Screening: The editorial board conducts a preliminary assessment to check adherence to formatting guidelines and originality requirements. If the paper does not meet the minimum criteria, the author(s) may be asked to make revisions.
- Double-Blind Peer Review: The manuscript is then reviewed by subject-matter experts through a double-blind peer review process, where the identities of both authors and reviewers remain anonymous. This ensures an unbiased evaluation.
- Feedback and Revisions: Based on the reviewers’ comments, the author(s) may be required to revise and resubmit the paper within a stipulated timeframe.
The entire review process typically takes one to three weeks depending on the complexity of the paper and the reviewer’s recommendations.
5. Acceptance, Processing Fee, and Final Publication
Once the manuscript is accepted, the author(s) will be notified via email. The next steps involve:
- Completing the necessary publication formalities, including payment of the processing fee (if applicable).
- Receiving the final proof for author approval, where the author(s) can check for any last-minute corrections before publication.
- Final publication of the research paper on the journal’s website and indexing in relevant legal research databases.
Upon publication, all authors receive a Certificate of Publication in soft copy format. A hard copy of the certificate can be requested for a minimal fee.
6. Recognition and Further Opportunities
Publishing in De Facto Law Journal offers several additional benefits:
- Certificate of Excellence: The top ten papers in each issue receive special recognition for outstanding research.
- DOI (Digital Object Identifier): Each published article is assigned a DOI, ensuring permanent digital accessibility.
- Indexed Research: The journal is indexed in leading academic databases, increasing the visibility and impact of your research.
- Internship and Editorial Opportunities: Top authors are considered for internship opportunities and editorial roles within the journal.
7. Stay Updated and Engage with the Legal Community
After publication, authors are encouraged to share their research within academic and professional networks. De Facto Law Journal regularly hosts legal writing competitions, webinars, and networking events that authors can participate in to expand their professional reach.
For further inquiries regarding submissions, processing, or publication, authors can contact the editorial team at info@defactolawjournal.org.