Author Guidelines – Legal

Author Guidelines

♦ Research articles

Research articles are expected to be between 5,000-6,000 words, including figures, tables, and footnotes. Every research article should be accompanied by an abstract of 250-300 words and a maximum of five (5) keywords. The research articles should include a title, abstract, introduction, methodology, discussion, recommendations, and conclusion.

♦ Book reviews

SLJLS publishes critical reviews of selected books in the field of legal studies. Book reviews are expected to be a maximum of 3,000 words, including footnotes. SLJLS expects the book reviews to be well-structured and analytical regarding the contribution of the selected work, rather than producing a concise summary. A book review must consist of a title other than the title of the selected book itself. Additionally, it should include, introduction to the book, analysis and conclusion.

♦ Case analysis

SLJLS invites authors to submit case analysis with practical significance and greater impact on reshaping the existing legal principles. Case analysis is expected to be between 1,500-2,000 words, including footnotes. The case analysis should be structured on the following headings:

* Title
* Facts of the case
* A summary of arguments
* Significance
* Conclusion

♦ Format of the manuscripts

Prepare your manuscript using a word-processing method, MS Word (.doc or .dox format). The title and each paragraph of the manuscript need to be justified and heading and sub-headings need to be left aligned.

♦ Language and style

The UK/Oxford English style should be used in the manuscript. SLJLS strongly recommend the authors whose first language is not English to obtain the service of professional language editor/proof-reader to avoid typos, errors, and confusions in the manuscript. This will help to expedite the review and publication processes.

♦ Text formatting

Use B5 paper size. Text should be justified. Use 11-point font size. Use Arial font. Use 1.5 line spacing. Page numbers should be centered on the bottom margin. All margins should be one inch..

*   Figures

All figures should be numbered consecutively as ‘Figures’ (Figure 1, Figure 2) with cross references in the main text. Figures should consist of an appropriate and concise heading. The figure numbers and titles should be placed below the figures. Avoid placing figures before their first mention in the text. Any figures not based on the authors’ original data should have source notes with a corresponding footnote.

*  Tables

All tables should be numbered consecutively as ‘Tables’ (Table 1, Table 2) with cross references in the main text. Tables should consist of an appropriate and concise heading. The table numbers and titles should be placed on top of the tables. Avoid placing tables before their first mention in the text. Any tables not based on the authors’ original data should have source notes with corresponding a footnote.

 

♦ Conflict of interest statement

All authors should include a statement on conflict of interest disclosing any financial or other substantive conflicts of interest that may be construed to influence the results or interpretation of their research. All sources of financial support for the project should be disclosed at the end of the manuscripts.

 

♦ Acknowledgement (if any)

The acknowledgment should be brief and made for specific scientific, financial, and technical assistance only. If a significant part of the research was performed in an institution other than in those indicated by the authors’ affiliations given in the title page, this fact should be acknowledged. All those who have made substantial contributions to the research but do not qualify to be authors should be acknowledged.

The declaration form must be signed and returned by the corresponding author via email (scanned copy) along with the submission.

Declaration form

All editorial correspondence should be addressed to:

The Editors
Sri Lanka Journal of Legal Studies (SLJLS)
Department of Legal Studies
The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
The Open University of Sri Lanka
Nawala, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka

Manuscripts should be submitted to sljlsou@gmail.com