Editorial Process

UDA Law Review relies entirely on the Open Journal Systems (OJS) platform, developed by the Public Knowledge Project (PKP), for its editorial management. This system guarantees transparency and traceability across the entire editorial workflow, from initial submission to final publication. Only articles submitted through this official portal will undergo evaluation.

Phase 1: Reception and Editorial Admission

Upon receipt of the manuscript, the Editorial Board conducts a preliminary review to verify compliance with the following basic parameters:

  • Anonymity: Verification that the uploaded file contains no author name or affiliation in the text or file properties to preserve review integrity.
  • Format and Style: Verification of compliance with length requirements (3,000 - 8,000 words) and the Chicago 18th ed. citation style.
  • Originality and Plagiarism: Every submission is analyzed via Turnitin® software. A maximum similarity threshold of 20% is required (excluding properly cited references).
  • Use of AI: Confirmation of the mandatory declaration regarding the use of generative artificial intelligence tools, if applicable.

Submissions that fail to meet these technical criteria will be returned to the authors for correction or permanently rejected in cases of severe ethical violations.

Phase 2: Double-Blind Peer Review

Manuscripts passing editorial admission are assigned for technical evaluation under a double-blind peer review process:

  • Reviewers: External specialists outside the publishing institution with recognized expertise in the subject area.
  • Evaluation Criteria: Methodological rigor, legal relevance, originality of argument, and clarity of expression.
  • Timeline: The journal maintains an efficient workflow with an estimated 45-day timeframe for reviewers to submit their evaluations.
  • Decisions: Outcomes may include: Accept Submission, Revisions Required (Minor), Resubmit for Review (Major), or Decline Submission. In cases of reviewer discrepancy, a third arbiter will be consulted.

Phase 3: Copyediting and Production

Upon final acceptance, the manuscript enters production:

  • Copyediting: The editorial team performs a final language edit to ensure grammatical and stylistic accuracy in coordination with the authors.
  • Layout & Design: The manuscript is formatted for publication in digital formats (PDF and upcoming HTML/XML).
  • Persistent Identifiers: Final metadata, institutional affiliations, verified ORCID iDs, and Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) are embedded.