Keith Mack
Law journals are a collection of academic writings, news items, opinions, and legal reports. They are usually published by a specialist group, learned society, or professional organisation and are aimed at people working in a specific industry. Law journals are a great way to stay informed about the latest legal developments, with some journals being available in print and online. In the UK, there are several notable law journals, including the New Law Journal, which is a weekly legal magazine for legal professionals, and Counsel, the monthly journal of the Bar of England and Wales.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nature | Academic journals are aimed at researchers and are peer-reviewed, while trade publications are aimed at people working in a specific industry. |
| Format | Journals are generally printed on glossy paper but are also available online. |
| Content | Journals contain scholarly information relating to a particular academic discipline. They may include opinions and news items. |
| Publishers | Journals are usually published by a special group, learned society, or professional organisation. |
| Examples | Academic journal: Harvard Law Review; Trade publication: Law Society Gazette |
| Databases | Lexis+, LexisNexis, Westlaw UK, HeinOnline, SSRN, Bepress Legal Repository |
| Access | Some journals are open access and freely available online. Others are only accessible via a subscription or in print at a library. |
| Alerts | Legal databases and e-journal platforms may allow users to set up customised alerts or RSS feeds to stay up to date with new content. |
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What You'll Learn
Types of law journal
Law journals are usually published by a specific group, society, or professional organisation and are aimed at people working in a particular industry. They are often peer-reviewed, meaning that articles are evaluated by experts in the field before publication to ensure accuracy and quality. Academic journals are typically printed on glossy paper and are aimed at a general audience, including opinions and news items.
There are several types of law journals available in the UK, including:
- Academic Law Journals: These journals are published by academic institutions or universities, such as the Oxford University Undergraduate Law Journal (OUULJ) and the Open Access journal run by the University of Cambridge. They provide a platform for law students and undergraduates to publish their legal writing and academic research.
- Trade Publications: These journals are published by special interest groups, learned societies, or professional organisations, such as the Law Society Gazette. They are aimed at specific industries or professions within the field of law.
- General Law Magazines: These publications offer a broad range of legal content, including news, opinions, and analysis on various legal topics. An example is Counsel, the monthly journal of the Bar of England and Wales.
- Specialised Law Journals: These journals focus on specific areas of law, such as insolvency and restructuring law, international law, or maritime and commercial law. They provide in-depth analysis and commentary on niche legal subjects.
- Online Law Journals: With the rise of digital media, many law journals are now available online, such as the LexisNexis Legal Journals and the UCL Law Library e-journals. These platforms offer customised alerts and RSS feeds to keep readers up to date with the latest legal developments.
Each type of law journal serves a unique purpose, catering to different audiences and providing diverse legal content. They are valuable resources for legal professionals, academics, and students, offering a wealth of information and insights into the complex world of law.
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Finding law journals
There are several ways to find law journals in the UK. Many universities, such as Oxford, UCL, Warwick, and Bournemouth, provide access to law journals through their libraries. These libraries offer a range of electronic journals, databases, and search tools to help you find relevant articles. Here are some specific ways to find law journals and their articles:
University Libraries
- Oxford University: Oxford libraries offer an extensive collection of electronic journals, including Westlaw Edge UK, Lexis+, and i-law, which provide access to UK law journals and international legal materials.
- UCL: UCL's library provides access to journals through its databases. You can use Google Scholar with the Library Links feature to find articles available through UCL subscriptions. The Explore search tool also allows you to find articles by entering the title or using specific databases.
- University of Warwick: Warwick's library provides guides on using Library Search to find journals by title, author, or article title. They also recommend using LibKey Nomad, a browser extension that links you to full-text articles, and BrowZine, a virtual newsstand that allows you to create a list of favourite journals and access new issues.
- Bournemouth University: Bournemouth's library offers a range of law journals, including EU and international titles. You can browse or search their e-journals using mySearch. Print law journals are also available at the Sir Michael Cobham Library.
Online Databases and Tools
- Westlaw: This is a comprehensive legal database that includes most legal journals published in the UK since 1986. It provides access to journals like the Law Quarterly Review, Public Law, and the Criminal Law Review.
- Lexis+ UK: A legal research database containing UK and EU primary and secondary sources, including Journals Index PLUS, which covers 500+ law journals and magazines published from 1995 onwards.
- Google Scholar: A multidisciplinary search engine for academic literature. You can use it to find law journal articles, and by setting up Library Links, you can access articles available through university subscriptions.
- Cardiff Index: This index allows you to search for law journals by their abbreviation or full title. It is useful for deciphering legal abbreviations.
- IngentaConnect: A database that provides abstracts of articles and the option to purchase certain pieces.
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Law journal content
Law journals are a collection of English-language legal titles and government documents divided into major jurisdictional or subject areas. They are usually published by a special group, learned society, or professional organisation and targeted towards people working in a specific industry. For example, the Law Society Gazette is a trade publication aimed at legal professionals.
Law journals are often peer-reviewed, with articles evaluated by experts in the field before publication to ensure accuracy and quality. They can be printed on glossy paper or available online, with some journals now only being published online.
Journals may include articles, book reviews, newsletters, reports, and publications. For example, the New Law Journal is a weekly legal magazine covering the latest law-related news and featuring articles, newsletters, reports, and publications. It also includes commentary and analysis on domestic and international law.
Law journal articles can cover a wide range of topics, including surrogacy frameworks and potential reforms, financial remedy cases involving modest assets, Supreme Court rulings and their implications, landlord and tenant law, and inheritance tax. They can also provide updates on specific cases, such as Pegler v McDonald or Harpur Trust v Brazel, and explore the implications of court decisions for broader legal contexts, such as right-to-work checks for UK and non-UK nationals following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Journals can be accessed through various platforms and databases, such as LexisNexis, Westlaw UK, HeinOnline, and IngentaConnect. Some journals may require registration or a subscription to access full articles.
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Law journal contributors
Law journals are usually published by a special group, learned society, or professional organisation and are aimed at people working in a specific industry. An example of a law journal in the UK is the Law Society Gazette.
The contributors to law journals can vary depending on the focus and scope of the journal. Some law journals are student-edited and composed, such as the UCLA Undergraduate Law Journal, which is an annual publication of student-composed articles on law-related topics. The Journal of Gender and Law, published by UCLA Law, is another example of a student-edited journal that also includes contributions from academics.
Some law journals seek contributions from practitioners, academics, policymakers, and other professionals in the field. For example, the Criminal Justice Law Review (CJLR) at UCLA Law publishes articles, editorials, and interviews of practitioners, academics, and policymakers. The Journal of International Law & Foreign Affairs at UCLA Law publishes articles by leading scholars, practitioners, and other professionals from around the world, as well as student comments.
Other law journals may have specific themes or focuses that determine their contributors. For instance, the Chicanx-Latinx Law Review at UCLA Law publishes articles by judges, lawyers, and scholars who provide new perspectives on the legal issues facing the Chicano and Latino communities. The Disability Law Journal at UCLA Law (DLJ) publishes articles, editorials, and interviews of practitioners, academics, policymakers, and other members of the disability law community.
Some law journals have a more open contribution policy, inviting submissions from anyone interested in the intersection of law and social policy. For example, the Journal of Law and Social Policy at Osgoode Hall Law School of York University invites the submission of scholarly articles, critical commentaries, reflective essays, and book reviews. They encourage non-traditional and creative works, such as creative non-fiction and poetry.
Overall, the contributors to law journals can include students, academics, practitioners, policymakers, judges, lawyers, and other professionals, depending on the focus and scope of the journal.
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Law journal format
Law journals are usually published by a special group, learned society, or professional organisation and are aimed at people working in a specific industry. For example, the OUULJ is the first undergraduate law journal in the UK, offering a platform for law undergraduates to publish their academic legal writing.
When it comes to the format of a law journal, there are several key components and style conventions to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to use a clear and consistent font, such as Times New Roman or a similar font in 12-point size, with double-spaced lines and one-inch margins all around. This ensures that the text is easy to read and navigate.
The content of a law journal article typically includes an introduction, a description of the problem or case being discussed, a thesis statement, and a roadmap of the argument that will be presented. It is important to provide a broad overview of the topic, including relevant background information, to help readers understand the context and significance of the discussion.
References and citations are a crucial aspect of law journal format. Each source used in the paper must be properly cited to ensure that readers can easily locate the original material. The specific formatting style may vary, such as MLA, APA, or Chicago style, but consistency is key. Endnotes and footnotes are also commonly used in law journals to provide additional information or to cite sources. It is recommended to follow the Bluebook's style guidelines for footnotes and endnotes.
In terms of length, while page limits are less strict in electronic publications, authors should still exercise discretion. Figures, maps, and other visual elements can be included, but it is important to consider that some readers may print the document, so the use of colour should not compromise the legibility of the content when translated to black and white.
Finally, law journals often include the author's name, the title of the article, the name of the journal, the year of publication, volume and issue numbers, page numbers, and publication date. Some journals may also include hyperlinks to the article or additional supplementary materials, such as tables, figures, or appendices.
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Frequently asked questions
Law journals are periodicals that contain articles on legal topics. They are usually published by a special group, learned society, or professional organisation and are aimed at people working in a specific industry.
Some examples of UK law journals include the New Law Journal, the Harvard Law Review, and the Oxford University Undergraduate Law Journal (OUULJ).
Many law journals are available online through databases such as LexisNexis, Westlaw UK, and HeinOnline. Print copies of law journals can often be found in university libraries, such as the Law Library at University College London and the Bodleian Library at Oxford University.
Articles in law journals are often written by legal professionals, such as lawyers and barristers, or by academics and students in the field of law.
