About the Journal
The Journal of Legal Research by ILRF is a scholarly platform dedicated to rigorous legal research and meaningful academic dialogue at the national and international levels. It publishes original and analytical work on contemporary legal issues, doctrinal developments, public policy, and emerging areas of law.
Publication Details
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Publisher | India Legal Research Foundation (ILRF) |
| ISSN | 3139-7107 (online) |
| Starting Year | 2026 |
| Frequency | Monthly |
| Format | Online |
| Subject | Law and Legal Studies |
| Language | English |
| Scope | National and International |
Every manuscript is screened by the editorial board and thereafter peer reviewed. There is no submission, processing, or publication fee at any stage.
Eligibility
The call is open to:
- Students of law (LL.B. and LL.M.)
- Research scholars
- Academicians
- Advocates and legal practitioners
- Policy professionals
Single-authored and co-authored submissions are accepted, with a maximum of two authors per manuscript.
About the Publisher
The India Legal Research Foundation (ILRF) is a legal research and policy think tank working across access to justice and legal research, capacity building, and legal awareness. The Journal of Legal Research by ILRF is its flagship monthly, peer-reviewed publication.
Theme
The Journal follows an open theme and welcomes scholarly work addressing contemporary legal issues, doctrinal developments, comparative legal analysis, public policy concerns, and interdisciplinary legal studies.
Sub-themes
- Constitutional and Administrative Law
- Criminal Law and Criminal Justice
- Corporate, Commercial, and Insolvency Law
- Technology, Data Protection, and Artificial Intelligence Regulation
- International Law, Trade Law, and Cross-border Disputes
- Environmental Law and Climate Governance
- Human Rights, Gender, and Social Justice
- Arbitration, Mediation, and Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Family Law, Personal Laws, and Matrimonial Disputes
- Labor, Employment, and Social Security Law
- Intellectual Property Law
- Taxation, Banking, and Financial Regulation
- Access to Justice, Legal Aid, and Judicial Reform
- Emerging areas of legal policy and governance
Note: The above sub-themes are only illustrative. The editorial board welcomes manuscripts on any contemporary legal issue falling within the scope of the journal. Papers with original data, close statutory reading, case analysis, empirical surveys, or a critical approach will be given particular preference.
Categories of Submission and Word Limits
| Category | Word Limit |
|---|---|
| Research Articles | 8,000–10,000 words |
| Short Articles / Essays | 2,500–4,000 words |
| Case Comments | 1,500–2,500 words |
| Legislative or Policy Comments | 1,500–2,500 words |
Submission Guidelines
- Manuscripts must be prepared in English and submitted in MS Word (.doc/.docx) format.
- Font: Times New Roman; Title 16 pt.; headings and subheadings 14 pt.; running text 12 pt.; footnotes 10 pt.
- Page: A4, Portrait; 1-inch (2.5 cm) margins on all sides.
- Spacing: 1.5 for main text and single spacing for footnotes.
- Alignment: Justified.
- Page numbers should not be inserted.
- Manuscripts should use clear headings and subheadings.
- A separate cover page must include the title, author name, institution/university, academic year or designation, e-mail ID, contact number, LinkedIn and Instagram handles (for credits), and AI disclosure statement.
- The following page must contain the title, AI disclosure statement, a 150–250-word abstract, and 4–6 keywords.
- Citations must follow the Bluebook (latest edition) using footnotes only.
- Manuscripts must be original, unpublished, and not simultaneously submitted elsewhere.
- Similarity exceeding approximately 10–12%, excluding citations and commonly used legal terminology, may lead to rejection or return for revision.
- AI tools may be used only for limited assistance such as grammar, language clarity, organising notes, or formatting citations. Any use of AI must be disclosed.
- Authors are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of all citations and references.
- The editorial board reserves the right to make minor editorial changes. Substantive changes will be communicated to the author.
Review Timeline
- Acknowledgment of submission: Same day
- Initial editorial decision: Within 7 working days
- Final review decision: Within 30 days
The Journal follows rolling submissions. Manuscripts accepted and finalised by the 20th of a month are ordinarily carried in the following month’s edition; manuscripts received thereafter are considered for the next available edition.
Rewards and Benefits
Paper of the Month
One paper is selected each month based on originality, depth of research, analytical quality, relevance to contemporary legal issues, and overall academic contribution.
- Prize Money: ₹5,100
- Feature and Promotion: The selected paper is featured and promoted on the official website and digital platforms of ILRF.
- Author Recognition: The author(s) may receive a certificate of recognition from ILRF.
The decision of the editorial board is final and binding.
All authors published in the journal receive a soft copy of the edition carrying their paper, with an ISSN-bearing citation.
How to Submit?
All manuscripts must be submitted through the official online submission form. Manuscripts sent by e-mail will not be considered.
The submission form will require the category of submission, author full name, e-mail address, mobile number, and manuscript upload.
The manuscript must be uploaded as a single MS Word (.doc/.docx) file named “Author Name-Category-Title”, with the cover page and abstract page included in the same file.
There is no submission, registration, or publication charge at any stage.
Contact Details
Email: publications@ilrf.in