Open access journal · Double-blind peer review
Lexfolio Journal of Law, Policy and Social Sciences
- LJLPS
- Published by Lexfolio, India
- Bi-monthly, rolling publication
- Online ISSN: applied for after Volume 1, Issue 1
Lexfolio/LJLPS/LJLPS Author Guidelines
LJLPS Author Guidelines
These guidelines explain how to prepare a manuscript for the Lexfolio Journal of Law, Policy and Social Sciences (LJLPS). Manuscripts that follow them move through screening faster.
1. Types of submission and word limits
| Type | Words (excluding footnotes) | What we expect |
|---|---|---|
| Research Article | 5,000 to 10,000 | An original argument or study with a clear research question, method and contribution |
| Short Article | 3,000 to 5,000 | A focused argument on a narrower question or a recent development |
| Case Comment or Legislative Comment | 2,000 to 4,000 | Critical analysis of a judgment, bill, statute, rule or policy, not a summary |
| Policy Brief or Essay | 2,500 to 5,000 | A problem, evidence and options, ending with practical recommendations |
| Book Review | 1,500 to 3,000 | A critical review of a recent academic book (published in the last three years) |
2. Authors
- Up to three authors per manuscript; four only with the editors’ approval.
- Every listed author must have contributed substantially and approved the final version.
- One corresponding author handles all communication.
3. Structure
- Title (clear and specific, ideally under 20 words)
- Abstract of 150 to 300 words
- 4 to 6 keywords
- Introduction setting out the question, its importance and the structure of the paper
- Main body with numbered headings (I, II, III or 1, 2, 3)
- Conclusion
- For APA papers, a reference list at the end
4. Formatting
- File: Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx)
- Font: Times New Roman, 12 point for text, 10 point for footnotes
- Line spacing: 1.5 for text, 1.0 for footnotes
- Margins: 1 inch on all sides; text justified
- Headings: bold for main headings, bold italics for sub-headings
- Language: English, with consistent British or Indian spelling
- Tables and figures numbered, titled and cited in the text, with sources
5. Citation style
- Law papers: footnotes in either the Bluebook or OSCOLA, using the latest edition, applied consistently throughout. Do not mix styles.
- Other social sciences: APA style, with in-text citations and a reference list.
- Cite Indian judgments with a reporter citation (SCC, AIR, SCC OnLine) or the neutral citation where available, and statutes with their full name and year.
- Do not cite a source you have not read. Every citation will be checked for existence and accuracy.
Helpful guides: OSCOLA for Indian sources, Bluebook for Indian sources, APA for social science papers.
6. Anonymisation for double-blind review
- Remove names, institutions, acknowledgements and contact details from the manuscript file.
- Remove author information from the file properties (in Word: File, Info, Inspect Document).
- Refer to your own earlier work in the third person.
7. Originality, similarity and AI
- Submissions must be original, unpublished and not under consideration elsewhere.
- Every manuscript is checked for similarity. See the thresholds in our publication ethics policy.
- AI tools cannot be authors. Any use beyond grammar and language editing must be disclosed in a short note at the end of the manuscript. Authors remain fully responsible for accuracy, including every citation.
8. After acceptance
- You will be asked for a final version within the time stated in the acceptance email, usually 7 days.
- We copy-edit for clarity and style and send you proofs where changes are substantial.
- For issues after Volume 1, Issue 1, the article processing charge becomes payable only at this stage. See fees and waivers.
9. Submission checklist
- Within the word limit for its type
- Abstract and keywords ready
- Anonymised Word file
- One citation style used consistently
- All co-authors agree to submission
- AI use disclosed if any