Philippine Law Journal: A Historical Overview

why was the philippine law journal created

The Philippine Law Journal, established in 1914, is the oldest law review in the Philippines and the oldest English-language law journal in Asia. It was created to serve as a platform for the country's legal discourse and the dissemination of legal knowledge. The journal is affiliated with the UP College of Law at the University of Philippines Diliman and is managed and edited by a board of student editors composed of select students from the university's College of Law. The journal publishes four issues per year, covering a wide range of legal fields and contributing to the advancement of legal scholarship and jurisprudence in the Philippines.

Characteristics Values
Year of creation 1914
Frequency of publication 4 issues per year
Type of content Legal articles, essays, student notes, comments, book reviews, case reviews, academic freedom
Purpose Promotion of legal scholarship through research and writing
Management Editorial board composed of select students from the University of the Philippines College of Law
Editor Student editorial board
Affiliation University of the Philippines Diliman

lawshun

The Philippine Law Journal was established in 1914 by the first dean of the UP College of Law. It is a student-run academic law review affiliated with the UP College of Law at the University of Philippines Diliman. It is the oldest law review in the Philippines and the oldest English language law journal in Asia.

The journal is devoted to the promotion of legal research and the advancement of legal knowledge. It is published in print four times a year and contains academic articles, essays, and student notes and comments that cover a wide range of legal fields. The journal is edited and managed by an editorial board composed of select students from the sophomore, junior, and senior classes of the UP College of Law. The board is selected annually based on competitive writing and editing examinations, as well as academic qualifications.

The journal has a rich history that is intertwined with the modern history of the Philippine legal system. It served as a platform for the country's legal discourse and the dissemination of legal knowledge. The inaugural issue featured a message from Justice Malcolm, encouraging students to publish and maintain a law journal that would stimulate discourse and disseminate legal knowledge. The journal originally published nine issues per academic year, containing legal articles, comments, and case reviews, as well as write-ups on the University of the Philippines College of Law and its alumni.

The Philippine Law Journal has played an important role in promoting legal research and knowledge in the Philippines. It has been cited in decisions of the Supreme Court, the deliberations of the 1986 Constitutional Commission, and various law books and law reviews. The journal also includes articles on a range of legal topics, such as native titles, indigenous peoples' rights, pre-Hispanic legal systems, and academic freedom. It provides a platform for local and foreign scholars, professors, magistrates, public officials, legal practitioners, and researchers to contribute to the advancement of legal knowledge and scholarship in the Philippines.

FTC's Lawmaking Power: Why and How?

You may want to see also

lawshun

Disseminating discourse

The Philippine Law Journal was established in 1914 as a platform for the dissemination of legal knowledge and the stimulation of discourse. It was the oldest law review in the Philippines and the oldest English-language law journal in Asia. The journal is student-run and affiliated with the University of the Philippines College of Law.

In its early years, the journal published nine issues per academic year, including legal articles, comments, and case reviews. It also featured write-ups on the University of the Philippines College of Law and its social events, as well as commercial advertisements to generate income. After World War II, the journal resumed publication with Volume 22 in 1947, consisting of six issues with articles written by faculty members and law students. During this time, the journal included annual surveys of Philippine Supreme Court decisions, case digests, recent legislation, and book reviews. From the late 1970s onwards, the journal adopted a policy of quarterly publication, with four issues per academic year.

The student editorial board of the journal was given greater freedom and independence with the abolition of the post of faculty editor, who was replaced by a faculty adviser. During this period, the journal prominently published articles on topics such as native titles, indigenous peoples' rights, pre-Hispanic legal systems, and academic freedom. The journal became an important resource and was cited in the deliberations of the 1986 Constitutional Commission, which drafted the Philippines' present charter. In 1990, the journal published articles in Filipino, the national language, for the first time.

Today, the Philippine Law Journal continues to be devoted to the promotion of legal scholarship through research and writing. It is published four times a year and covers a wide range of legal fields, with contributions from local and foreign scholars, professors, magistrates, public officials, legal practitioners, and researchers. The journal is accessible to the public through PLJ on Demand and HeinOnline, making it widely available to those interested in Philippine law and legal discourse.

lawshun

Independence from faculty

The Philippine Law Journal was established in 1914 as an academic, student-run law review affiliated with the University of the Philippines College of Law. It is the oldest law review in the Philippines and the oldest English-language law journal in Asia.

The journal is edited and managed by a board of student editors composed of select students from the sophomore, junior, and senior classes of the College of Law. The board is formed annually through a competitive examination graded by a committee of faculty members.

In its early years, the journal was supervised by a faculty editor, who assigned articles and other content to be included in the publication. However, the role of the faculty editor was later replaced by a faculty adviser, giving the student editorial board greater independence.

Today, the Philippine Law Journal is published four times a year and continues to be a platform for legal scholarship and research. The journal covers a wide range of legal fields and includes contributions from local and foreign scholars, professors, magistrates, public officials, legal practitioners, and researchers, as well as students of the College of Law. The articles published in the journal have been cited by the Supreme Court and have influenced the country's legal system.

lawshun

Publishing in Filipino

The Philippine Law Journal, established in 1914, is an academic student-run law review affiliated with the University of the Philippines College of Law. It is the oldest law review in the Philippines and the oldest English language law journal in Asia. The journal is published four times a year and is devoted to the promotion of legal scholarship through research and writing.

In its early years, the Philippine Law Journal was the only English legal publication in the Orient. However, this changed in 1990, when the journal began publishing articles written in Filipino, the national language. This shift towards publishing in the native language opened up the journal to a wider audience and promoted accessibility in legal scholarship.

The decision to publish in Filipino was likely influenced by the journal's focus on promoting legal knowledge and stimulating discourse. By publishing in the language spoken by the majority of the country's population, the journal could reach a broader range of readers, including those who may not have had access to legal education or resources in English.

The impact of publishing in Filipino extended beyond increasing accessibility. It also contributed to the development and recognition of Filipino as a language of scholarship and academia. By including articles in Filipino, the journal elevated the status of the language and promoted its use in intellectual and legal circles. This not only fostered a sense of cultural pride but also empowered Filipino speakers, affirming that their language was equally valid for academic discourse and legal analysis.

lawshun

Contributing to jurisprudence

The Philippine Law Journal has contributed significantly to the development of jurisprudence in the country. It has served as a platform for the dissemination of legal knowledge and the stimulation of discourse among students, academics, and legal professionals. The journal's articles, essays, and notes cover a diverse range of legal topics and have been recognised and cited by the Philippine Supreme Court, the 1986 Constitutional Commission, law books, and law reviews.

The journal's early years saw a focus on providing a comprehensive overview of the country's legal landscape, including annual surveys of Supreme Court decisions, case digests, recent legislation, and book reviews. This comprehensive approach ensured that the journal became a valuable resource for anyone seeking to understand the Philippine legal system.

In the late 1970s and 1980s, the Philippine Law Journal played a pivotal role in addressing contemporary legal issues. During this period, the journal published articles on native titles, indigenous peoples' rights, pre-Hispanic legal systems, and academic freedom. These topics reflected the social and political concerns of the time and demonstrated the journal's commitment to contributing to ongoing legal discussions.

The Philippine Law Journal has also been a platform for the expression of diverse viewpoints and the exploration of alternative legal perspectives. The inclusion of student-written pieces, alongside those of established scholars and practitioners, encourages a dynamic and inclusive legal discourse. This diversity of thought enriches the journal's content and contributes to the development of a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of the law.

Additionally, the journal has fostered legal research and scholarship by providing a venue for the publication of academic articles, essays, and student notes. This has encouraged legal analysis and the exchange of ideas, contributing to a more robust and sophisticated legal landscape in the Philippines. The journal's accessibility through HeinOnline since 2014 has further enhanced its reach and impact, making it more widely accessible to legal researchers and scholars worldwide.

Frequently asked questions

The Philippine Law Journal was created to promote legal research and scholarship, and to advance legal knowledge.

The journal was organised by the first dean of the UP College of Law in 1914.

It was the only English legal publication in the Orient.

The journal publishes four issues per year.

Written by
Reviewed by

Explore related products

Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment