Peer Review Process
Journal of Law and Society Review (JLSR) implements a rigorous and transparent double-blind peer review process to ensure the publication of high-quality, original, and impactful scholarly work.
1. Overview of the Review Model
JLSR adopts:
- Double-blind review (author and reviewer identities are concealed)
- Minimum 2 independent reviewers per manuscript
- Editorial decision based on scholarly merit, originality, and relevance
2. Editorial Workflow (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Submission
- Authors submit manuscripts via OJS
- All metadata (title, abstract, keywords) must be completed
Step 2: Initial Editorial Screening (Desk Review)
Conducted by the Editor-in-Chief or Section Editor:
Criteria:
- Scope alignment with JLSR
- Basic academic quality
- Plagiarism screening (≤ 20%)
- Formatting compliance
Decision:
- Desk Reject OR Proceed to Review
Step 3: Reviewer Assignment
- 2–3 expert reviewers are selected
- Reviewers must have relevant expertise and no conflict of interest
Step 4: Double-Blind Peer Review
Reviewers evaluate:
- Originality & novelty
- Theoretical contribution
- Methodological rigor
- Clarity of argument
- Relevance to socio-legal studies
Step 5: First Decision
Based on reviewer reports:
- Accept
- Minor Revision
- Major Revision
- Reject
Step 6: Revision Stage
- Authors revise manuscript based on reviewer comments
- Revised version must include:
- Response to reviewers
- Highlighted changes
Step 7: Second Review (if needed)
- For major revisions, manuscript may be re-evaluated by reviewers
Step 8: Final Decision
Editor makes final decision:
- Accept for publication
- Reject
Step 9: Copyediting & Production
- Language editing
- Layout formatting
- Proofreading (author approval required)
Step 10: Publication
- Article published online with DOI
- Indexed and archived
3. Review Timeline
- Initial screening: 3–7 days
- Peer review: 2–4 weeks
- Revision: 1–3 weeks
- Total process: 4–8 weeks (average)
4. Review Criteria (Q1 Standard)
Manuscripts are assessed based on:
- Originality & Innovation
- Theoretical Depth
- Methodological Soundness
- Analytical Strength
- Clarity & Structure
- Global Relevance
5. Ethical Standards
JLSR ensures:
- Confidentiality of manuscripts
- No conflict of interest
- Objective and unbiased evaluation
6. Transparency and Accountability
- Editorial decisions are justified and documented
- Authors receive detailed reviewer feedback
- Appeals are allowed under valid grounds
7. Special Review Policies
A. Fast-Track Review (Optional)
- Available for selected high-impact papers
- Accelerated timeline (2–3 weeks total)
B. Desk Rejection Policy
- 30–50% manuscripts may be rejected at initial stage
- Ensures efficiency and quality
8. Reviewer Recognition
JLSR provides:
- Reviewer acknowledgment
- Certificate of review
- Annual reviewer listing (optional)
Closing Statement
JLSR is committed to a fair, rigorous, and timely peer review process, ensuring the publication of high-quality socio-legal research with global impact.
