Lexfolio/LJLPS/LJLPS Peer Review Policy

LJLPS Peer Review Policy

Every research manuscript published in the Lexfolio Journal of Law, Policy and Social Sciences (LJLPS) passes through editorial screening and double-blind peer review. This page explains each step.

1. Editorial screening

The editorial office checks each new manuscript for fit with the aims and scope, compliance with the author guidelines, anonymisation, basic quality of argument and writing, and similarity. Manuscripts that fail screening are returned with reasons, and authors may resubmit after fixing the problems. We aim to complete screening within 10 working days.

2. Double-blind review

Manuscripts that pass screening are sent to at least one reviewer with expertise in the subject, a member of the editorial board or an invited expert, and to two reviewers wherever possible for Research Articles. Reviewers do not know the identity of the authors, and authors do not know the identity of the reviewers.

3. Who reviews

Reviewers are members of the editorial board and invited experts: faculty members, doctoral and post-doctoral researchers, experienced practitioners and subject specialists. A reviewer may not review a manuscript where there is a conflict of interest, such as a close professional or personal relationship with an author, a shared institution where the author can be identified, or a financial interest in the outcome.

4. What reviewers assess

• Originality and contribution
• Clarity of the research question and argument
• Soundness of method, evidence and analysis
• Accuracy and adequacy of sources and citations
• Structure, language and readability

5. Decisions

• Accept: publishable with minor editing
• Minor revisions: accepted subject to specific changes
• Major revisions: substantial changes needed, followed by a further review
• Decline: not suitable for publication in LJLPS

The editors make the final decision after considering the reviews. Authors receive the reviewers’ comments with every decision. We aim to send a first decision within 6 to 8 weeks of submission, depending on the number of manuscripts in the queue.

6. Case comments, book reviews and short pieces

Case Comments, Legislative Comments, Policy Briefs, Essays and Book Reviews are also reviewed anonymously, by at least one reviewer or by a member of the editorial board who is not otherwise involved with the manuscript.

7. Editors’ own submissions

When the Chief Editor or any member of the editorial team submits a manuscript, it is handled entirely by another member of the editorial board, and the submitting editor has no access to the review records. Such papers are marked as editorial submissions.

8. Fees and decisions

No fee is charged at submission. Where an article processing charge applies, it becomes payable only after acceptance, and payment status has no bearing on any editorial decision.

8A. Optional fast-track review

Authors may choose paid fast-track review, which shortens the timelines (editorial screening within 2 working days and a first decision within 7 days of payment). Fast-tracked manuscripts receive the same double-blind review and editorial standards as all others; the fee covers the shorter timeline and the services listed on the fees page, and it is refunded if we miss the deadlines for reasons within our control. Details are on the fees page.

9. Confidentiality and AI in review

Reviewers must keep manuscripts confidential, may not share them with anyone outside the journal, and may not use a manuscript’s ideas or data before publication. The editorial office may use software tools, including similarity-detection and language tools, to screen manuscripts and support editorial work. Manuscripts remain confidential throughout, and every recommendation and decision is made by human reviewers and editors.

10. Appeals

Authors who believe a decision was based on a factual error or a misunderstanding may appeal once, in writing, within 30 days, to support@lexfolio.in, explaining the grounds in detail. An editor not involved in the original decision considers the appeal, and that decision is final.