How to Publish a Research Paper in Law
A practical guide to publishing research in law
A practical, field-specific guide to publishing research in law, covering norms, challenges, the step-by-step process, where to publish, and how to choose between journal types.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which citation style is preferred in law journals?
It depends on jurisdiction. United States journals require the Bluebook, United Kingdom and Commonwealth journals typically require OSCOLA, and Indian journals frequently use ILI or a Bluebook variant.
Are law journals peer reviewed or student edited?
Both models exist. Many flagship US law reviews are student edited, while most journals outside the US use double-blind peer review by faculty members.
Can I publish a case comment as a research article?
Yes. Case comments, statutory analyses, and doctrinal notes are accepted by most law journals as a distinct category, often with slightly shorter length expectations.
How is similarity score handled in legal writing?
Most journals accept up to 15 to 20 percent similarity given the necessary reuse of statutory and case language, but quoted passages must be properly attributed.
Do law journals charge publication fees?
University law reviews typically do not. Indexed open-access legal journals may charge moderate APCs, and structured low-cost journals offer transparent fees in the USD 30 to USD 150 range.