1. Author Guidelines

Manuscript Length

Research articles should normally contain 5,000–7,000 words, including footnotes but excluding the title page and reference list. Manuscripts outside this range may be considered where the length is justified by the nature of the research.

Language

SJIL accepts manuscripts written in English. Authors are responsible for ensuring that their manuscripts are clear, coherent, and written in appropriate academic English.

Manuscript Format

Manuscripts should be submitted in an editable Microsoft Word (.docx) format and prepared using the SJIL Article Template.

The manuscript should normally contain:

• Title

• Abstract

• Keywords

• Introduction

• Main analysis and discussion

• Conclusion

• References

The organization of the main text may vary according to the nature and methodology of the research.

Title

The title should be concise, informative, and accurately reflect the subject and principal focus of the article. Unnecessary abbreviations should be avoided.

Abstract

The manuscript must include an abstract of approximately 150–200 words. The abstract should briefly identify the research problem, objective or research question, methodological or analytical approach, principal findings or argument, and contribution of the article.

Keywords

Authors should provide 3–5 keywords that accurately represent the principal concepts, issues, jurisdictions, or themes addressed in the article.

Headings

Authors should use clear and consistent headings and subheadings to organize the manuscript. Headings should reflect the structure and progression of the argument and should be used consistently throughout the manuscript. Authors should avoid excessive subdivision of the text and should ensure that each heading and subheading contributes meaningfully to the organization of the article.

Citations and References

SJIL uses an author–date in-text citation system. Citations to scholarly literature should generally follow the APA 7th edition style, while primary legal materials are cited according to the journal's specific legal citation conventions. All in-text citations must correspond to a complete entry in the reference list, where applicable. Authors should ensure that citations and references are accurate, consistent, and sufficient to enable readers to identify and locate the cited source.

For scholarly publications, authors should follow APA 7th edition conventions for books, journal articles, book chapters, reports, and other academic sources. Primary legal materials, including treaties, international judicial and arbitral decisions, resolutions of international organisations, legislation, and other authoritative legal documents, should be cited using the relevant SJIL legal citation format.

DOIs or other persistent identifiers should be included where available. Authors are encouraged to use reference-management software such as Zotero, Mendeley, or EndNote. Authors remain responsible for verifying the accuracy and consistency of all citations and references.

Tables and Figures

Tables and figures should be included only where they contribute meaningfully to the article. Each table or figure should be numbered consecutively, provided with a clear title or caption, referred to in the text, and accompanied by a source where applicable.

Submission

Manuscripts should be submitted through the SJIL online submission system. Authors should prepare their submissions in accordance with these guidelines and complete the Submission Preparation Checklist before submitting the manuscript. For matters concerning publication ethics, authorship, peer review, conflicts of interest, research integrity, and other editorial matters, authors should consult the relevant SJIL policies.

2. Article Template

TITLE PAGE

Article Title

[Insert concise and informative article title]

Author Name¹, Author Name²

¹ [Institution, City, Country]

² [Institution, City, Country]

Corresponding Author: [Name and Email Address]

MANUSCRIPT

Article Title

[Insert article title]

Abstract

[Insert an abstract of approximately 150–200 words. The abstract should briefly identify the research problem, research objective or question, methodological or analytical approach, principal findings or argument, and contribution of the article.]

Keywords: [Keyword 1]; [Keyword 2]; [Keyword 3]; [Keyword 4]; [Keyword 5]

1. Introduction

[Introduce the research problem and explain its significance. Identify the relevant research gap, legal issue, or scholarly debate. Clearly state the research question or objective and explain the contribution of the article.]

In-text citations should follow the author–date system, for example:

International law has historically been shaped by unequal distributions of political and economic power (Crawford, 2019; Chimni, 2006).

For a direct quotation:

“...” (Crawford, 2019, p. 45).

2. [Main Section Title]

[Develop the legal, theoretical, conceptual, historical, or contextual framework relevant to the research.]

2.1 [Subsection Title]

[Insert text.]

2.2 [Subsection Title]

[Insert text.]

3. [Main Section Title]

[Present and analyse the principal findings or arguments of the research.]

3.1 [Subsection Title]

[Insert text.]

3.2 [Subsection Title]

[Insert text.]

4. [Main Section Title]

[Further develop the analysis and discuss its implications for international law, legal practice, institutions, policy, or scholarship.]

5. Conclusion

[Directly answer the research question or objective and synthesise the principal findings and implications of the research.]

References

[Include all sources cited in the manuscript. References should be arranged alphabetically by author or institutional author and formatted consistently according to the SJIL citation requirements.]

Examples

Book

Crawford, J. (2019). Brownlie's principles of public international law (9th ed.). Oxford University Press.

Journal Article

Chimni, B. S. (2006). Third World Approaches to International Law: A Manifesto. International Community Law Review, 8(1), 3–27. https://doi.org/10.1163/187197306779173220

Book Chapter

Koskenniemi, M. (2005). International Law and Hegemony: A Reconfiguration. In M. Byers (Ed.), The Role of Law in International Politics (pp. 89–112). Oxford University Press.

3. Submission Preparation Checklist

Before submitting a manuscript to SJIL, authors should confirm that:

• The manuscript falls within the aims and scope of SJIL.

• The manuscript is original and is not currently under consideration by another journal.

• The manuscript contains approximately 7,000–11,000 words.

• The manuscript is written in English and has been carefully checked for language quality.

• The manuscript follows the SJIL Article Template.

• The manuscript is submitted in Microsoft Word (.docx) format.

• The title is concise and accurately reflects the content of the article.

• The abstract contains approximately 150–200 words.

• The manuscript includes 3–5 keywords.

• The manuscript contains a clearly identified research question, objective, or central argument.

• Headings and subheadings are used consistently.

• All citations are provided in footnotes.

• All cited sources are accurately and consistently referenced.

• The reference list contains only sources cited in the manuscript.

• DOIs or other persistent identifiers are included where available.

• Tables and figures are appropriately numbered, titled, and cited in the text.

• The manuscript has been prepared for the journal's anonymous review process, where applicable.

• All required information and files have been completed in the online submission system.

4. Publication Fees

SJIL does not charge authors any publication fees. SJIL does not charge an Article Processing Charge (APC), submission fee, or page charge. Editorial and peer-review decisions are made independently of financial considerations. Any future change to this policy will be publicly announced by the journal before taking effect.