Oxford Journal of Legal Studies

Scope & Guideline

Pioneering Insights into Legal Theory and Practice

Introduction

Delve into the academic richness of Oxford Journal of Legal Studies with our guidelines, detailing its aims and scope. Our resource identifies emerging and trending topics paving the way for new academic progress. We also provide insights into declining or waning topics, helping you stay informed about changing research landscapes. Evaluate highly cited topics and recent publications within these guidelines to align your work with influential scholarly trends.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN0143-6503
PublisherOXFORD UNIV PRESS
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited Kingdom
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 1981 to 1996, 1998, from 2000 to 2001, from 2005 to 2024
AbbreviationOXFORD J LEGAL STUD / Oxf. J. Legal Stud.
Frequency4 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
AddressGREAT CLARENDON ST, OXFORD OX2 6DP, ENGLAND

Aims and Scopes

The Oxford Journal of Legal Studies primarily focuses on advancing legal scholarship through interdisciplinary approaches, engaging with contemporary legal issues, and fostering critical discussions around various aspects of law.
  1. Interdisciplinary Legal Research:
    The journal emphasizes interdisciplinary studies, integrating insights from philosophy, political science, sociology, economics, and technology to enrich legal discourse and analysis.
  2. Critical Examination of Legal Doctrines:
    A core aim is to critically analyze existing legal doctrines, exploring their implications and limitations in contemporary contexts, particularly in areas like human rights, environmental law, and administrative justice.
  3. Focus on Social Justice and Equality:
    The journal consistently addresses themes of social justice, equality, and the intersectionality of law with societal issues, reflecting a strong commitment to addressing structural inequalities.
  4. Impact of Technology on Law:
    A unique contribution of the journal is its exploration of the impact of technology on legal frameworks, assessing how innovations like AI and algorithmic decision-making challenge traditional legal principles.
  5. Historical and Comparative Perspectives:
    The journal often employs historical and comparative methodologies to contextualize contemporary legal issues, providing a deeper understanding of the evolution of legal concepts.
Recent publications in the Oxford Journal of Legal Studies reveal several emerging themes that reflect current societal challenges and the evolving landscape of legal scholarship.
  1. Algorithmic Law and Regulation:
    The focus on algorithmic decision-making and its legal implications has surged, highlighting concerns about accountability, transparency, and fairness in automated legal processes.
  2. Climate Change and Law:
    There is a notable increase in discussions surrounding the intersection of law with climate change, particularly regarding corporate responsibility and human rights, reflecting growing global urgency.
  3. Human Rights and Social Justice:
    Emerging themes increasingly address complex issues of human rights, particularly in relation to marginalized communities, discrimination, and the impacts of legal systems on social equity.
  4. Public Law and Democratic Processes:
    Recent articles show an emphasis on the role of public law in safeguarding democratic processes, examining issues such as judicial review and the relationship between law and political authority.
  5. Legal Responses to Globalization:
    The journal is increasingly exploring the legal challenges posed by globalization, particularly in areas like tax law, human rights, and transnational legal frameworks.

Declining or Waning

While the journal continues to explore a wide array of legal topics, certain themes have shown a decline in prominence over recent years, indicating a potential shift in focus or academic interest.
  1. Traditional Legal Doctrines:
    There appears to be a waning interest in traditional legal doctrines, with fewer articles focusing solely on established legal principles without critical or interdisciplinary engagement.
  2. Purely Theoretical Legal Frameworks:
    The emphasis on purely theoretical discussions, detached from real-world applications or implications, has decreased, as the journal increasingly prioritizes practical and societal relevance.
  3. Conventional Jurisprudence:
    Themes centered around conventional jurisprudential debates, particularly those not incorporating contemporary issues or societal challenges, seem to be less frequently addressed in recent publications.

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