Submissions

Author Guidelines

GETTING PUBLISHED IN WUJL (WALLAGA UNIVERSITY JOURNAL OF LAW)

Please read this section before submitting anything to WUJL Journal. This section explains WUJL’s editorial criteria, and how manuscripts are handled by our editors between submission and acceptance for publication.

THE EDITORIAL PROCESS

The submitted manuscript will be reviewed for possible publication with the understanding that it is being submitted to WUJL Journal at that point in time and has not been published anywhere, simultaneously submitted, or already accepted for publication elsewhere. The journal expects them to correspond with the Journal for all matters related to the manuscript. All manuscripts received are duly acknowledged. Upon submission of the manuscript, the editor initially checks for suitability for formal review. Manuscripts with insufficient originality, serious scientific or technical flaws, or lack of a significant message are peer-review.

Manuscripts that are found suitable for publication in WUJL Journal are sent to two qualified reviewers who have had experience in the subject of the submitted manuscript. However, the selection of these reviewers is at the sole discretion double-blind review process, wherein the reviewers and authors are unaware of each other’s identity. Every manuscript is finally reviewed by the Editor comments from the reviewers takes a final decision on the manuscript. The comments and suggestions (minor revision/major revision/acceptance/ rejection/ amendments in manuscript) are conveyed to the corresponding author. If required, the author is requested to provide a point-by-point response to reviewers’ comments and submit a process is repeated till reviewers and editors are satisfied with the manuscript.

Manuscripts accepted for publication are copy edited for grammar, punctuation, print style, and format. Page proofs are sent to the corresponding expected to return the corrected proofs within three days. It may not be possible to incorporate corrections received after that period. The whole process final decision and sending and receiving proofs is completed online.

EDITORIAL POLICY

Authors should prepare their manuscripts submitted to the journal exactly according to the instructions given here (Instructions to Authors). Manuscripts that lack the style of the journal may be returned to the authors for revision or rejected. The journal reserves the right to make any further formal necessary in a manuscript accepted for publication so that it conforms to the formatting requirements of the journal.

INSTRUCTION TO AUTHORS

MANUSCRIPTS SUBMISSION

The manuscript must be submitted with a cover letter from the author of correspondence to the Editor in Chief through online registration using the following website: https://journals.wgu.edu.et  After the successful submission of the manuscript, the corresponding author will be acknowledged within 72 hours. Any quarry regarding the preparation & submission of the manuscript to the journal should be addressed via the contact us form or through e-mail. English is the official language of the journal. Original Research Articles not previously published and not being considered for publication elsewhere only should be submitted. Corresponding authors must be declared that the manuscript is submitted on behalf of all authors. Copyright belongs to the publisher upon acceptance of the manuscript. The rejected manuscript will not be returned to the authors. Submission of a manuscript signifies acceptance of the journal’s guidelines for authors.

MANUSCRIPT PREPARATION

1. Original Research Paper/Feature Articles

The article is an original legal research work that may focus on a specific legal issue (s). This research work critically analyzes legal issues and other pertinent principles to criticize, justify or illuminate the applications of legal rules, principles, precedents, doctrines, etc. A research article should be original and of high quality to get publication. It may range from 5000-8000 words.

Papers should be in English (American English) and be prepared in A4 (8.27″ X 11.69″) page size, using standard fonts with the size of 12, with double-spacing, and margins of at least 1″ (2.5cm) all around. All pages are numbered starting from the title page. Lines should be numbered in the margins with a continuous numbering from the start of the manuscript. Times New Roman font style must be used and remain uniform throughout the text. The authors must strictly adhere to the proper format of the Journal for all sections of the manuscript; refer to papers in recent issues for the general layout of the paper and also for details. For authors whose native language is not English, the WULJ Journal strongly recommends brushing up the English of the manuscript by consulting an English-speaking scientist before submission to avoid delays in receiving and processing of the manuscript.

Manuscript format

A research paper/feature article (5000-8000 words) typically should include in the following order:

1. Title
2. Abstract and Keywords
3. Introduction
4. Methodology
5. Body/text-subdivided into sections
6. Conclusion and Recommendations
7. Acknowledgement (optional)
8. References
9. Tables and/or Figures (if any)

1). Title page

First pageshould include the complete title of the manuscript, full names of all authors, their

affiliations and addresses and the name and E–mail address of the corresponding author.

  The title should be in Title Case with font size 14 (Bold) and the first character in each word in the title has to be capitalized (the title should be centered). The first name or Given name of the authors should be mentioned followed by initial for the father's name or family name. Affiliation for the authors should be mentioned (except the Position of the authors).

2). Abstract and keywords

Always the second page should contain the Abstract and Keywords. Abstract (not more than 250 words) presented in a concise form and including the purpose, methods, Results, and conclusions of the research described in the paper. A list of 3 to 5 keywords or short phrases suitable for indexing should be typed at the bottom of the abstract page. Avoid vague or overly general terms. If necessary, the keywords will be adjusted to the standards of the journal by the editors without consulting the authors.

3). Introduction

State the objectives of the work and provide an adequate background, avoiding a detailed literature survey or a summary of the results. Description of the research area, pertinent background information, and, if any, the hypotheses tested in the study should be included.   

Should provide sufficient background information such that a scientifically literate reader can understand and appreciate the scholarly writings. The introduction may include a footnote including references to pertinent reviews and primary scientific literature. The specific aims identified along with a rationale for the specific research works and other work performed may also be included.

4). Methodology

Provide sufficient detail to allow the work to be reproduced. It should include explicit, concise descriptions of all methods or procedures employed. Commonly used methods require only a citation of the original source. The description should be such that the reader can judge the accuracy, reproducibility, reliability, etc. of the work. The tool (doctrinal or qualitative or non-doctrinal) used to analyze the data should be mentioned.

5) Body/text

This is an important part of the manuscript where the author(s) broadly write, discuss and analyze his/her/their scholarly writings. It should have sections and subsections under headings and subheadings.

6). Conclusions and Recommendations

The main conclusions of the study may be presented in a short Conclusions section, which may be taken as the findings of the scholarly writing. The recommendation which may also form a separate section is the way forward or suggestion of the researcher for the problem identified by the paper. The manuscript should provide recommendations.

7). Acknowledgements [optional]

This is a brief section crediting the people who have helped make your manuscript possible and who aided you in your work but mention all applicable grants and other funding that supported your work. Collate acknowledgments in a separate section at the end of the article before the references and do not, therefore, include them on the title page, as a footnote to the title or otherwise. List here those individuals who provided help during the research (e.g., providing language help, writing assistance, or proofreading the article, etc.).

8). References

Please ensure that every reference cited in the text is also present in the reference list (and vice versa). Any references cited in the abstract must be given in full. Unpublished results and personal communications are not recommended in the reference list, but may be mentioned in the text. If these references are included in the reference list, they should follow the standard reference style of the journal and should include a substitution of the publication date with “Unpublished results”. “Personal communication” will not be accepted as a reference. The citation of a reference as “in the press” implies that the item has been accepted for publication.

Headings

Headings and Sub-headings must be left aligned, numbered, written in the same style as the text, and bolded. It shall appear in the following format;

1. Heading 1
   1. Heading 2
      1. Heading 3
      2. Case Reviews, Book Reviews, Legislation Reviews, and Commentaries should contain:
   2. Title
   3. Author(s)-name, affiliation, and full address
   4. Text/body
   5. References

Book Review: A book review is an original work of scholarship that involves a review of chapters or topics or issues covered in a given book. Particularly, a book review may be made in the form of a succinct summary of important issues under each chapter with a critical appraisal or comments on topics covered in the chapter. The review should be between 2,000-5,000 words.

Case Reviews: refers to in-depth critical comments on dead cases decided at various local court jurisdictions in this country in light of applicable legal rules, doctrine, principle, etc. Its length should be between 2,000-5,000 words.

Commentaries: this is writing that covers various topics without, however, a deeper critical analysis of the issues at hand. Most of the time, it makes a brief summary of the relevant literature on the subject matter or the topic. Its length should be between 1,500-3,000 words.

Legislation Reviews: reviews of national or regional laws. Its length should be between 2,000-5,000 words.

All submissions should be written using Times New Roman with 12 Font Size. Submissions shall be double-spaced.

Format for Citing the References

1. Citations shall be in the style of The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation for all manuscripts. For citation not provided for under Bluebook, authors should adhere to sample citations as provided under annex1
2. All factual assertions, direct quotations, statutes, and case references must be cited using footnotes.
3. 3. Footnotes shall be numbered consecutively and placed at the bottom of the page

4. Use Id, Ibid, supra note & hereinafter for cross-referencing footnotes.

5. Footnotes shall be written in Times New Roman, 10 Font Size, Single Spaced.

Quotations

1. Quotations of less than 50 words shall be presented in the text with double quotation marks.

2. Quotations of 50 and more words shall be presented as independent fully-indented paragraphs without quotation marks.

Single Author:

Author’s name (without initials, unless there is ambiguity) and year of publication.

Two Authors

Both authors’ names and years of publication.

 Three or more authors:

     First author’s name followed by “et al.,” (it should be in italics) and the year of publication.

Format for References in Reference Section

All references should be mentioned in Alphabetical order of author’s name. For more than one publication by an author (or co-authors) arrange by publication date with the earliest publication first.

References should follow Chicago Manual of Style.

Authors are responsible to ensure the completeness of references.

List references alphabetically by author, in the references section. For more than one publication by an author (or co-authors) arrange by publication date with the earliest publication first.

List authors as they name themselves. For example, use ‘John David’ if that is the name appearing as the author, not ‘J. David’ or ‘David J.’

  Web Pages

Include author, date, title, availability information, and accession date, if needed. The URL of the site should be mentioned.

9). FIGURES AND TABLES

Be parsimonious in the use and design of tables and figures. Provide only data relevant to the textual argument and cite each table in the text.

Use simple formats for tables with single-line outlines. Avoid wide tables that need to be in landscape format.

Tables and figures must be numbered and titled, with the title above the table/figure.

Check that each table/figure is cited in the text with its appropriate number.

Tables and Figures should be Black & White.

Provide charts in Excel with underlying data for manuscript processing.

1. Tables 

• List of Tables should be mentioned
• Tables should be self-explanatory and should not duplicate textual material.
• Tables with more than 10 columns and 25 rows are not acceptable.
• Number tables, in Arabic numerals, consecutively in the order of their first citation in the text and supply a brief title for each.
• Place explanatory matter in footnotes, not in the heading.
• Explain in footnotes all non-standard abbreviations that are used in each table.
• Obtain permission for all fully borrowed, adapted, and modified tables and provide a credit line in the footnote.
• Tables with their legends should be provided at the end of the text after the references.
• The tables along with their number should be cited

1. Figures

• List of Figures should be mentioned
• Upload the images in JPEG format. Send sharp, glossy, unmounted and width of 6 inches at the time of submitting the revised manuscript.
• The photographs and figures should be trimmed to remove all the unwanted areas.
• Figures should be numbered consecutively according to the order in which they have been first cited in the text.
• Labels, numbers, and symbols should be clear and of uniform size. The lettering for figures should be large enough to be legible after column.
• Symbols, arrows, or letters used in photomicrographs should contrast with the background and should marked neatly with transfer type
• Titles and detailed explanations belong in the legends for illustrations not on the illustrations themselves.
• When graphs, scatter-grams or histograms are submitted the numerical data on which they are based should also be supplied.
• If photographs of people are used, either the subjects must not be identifiable or their pictures must be accompanied by written permission
• If a figure has been published elsewhere, acknowledge the original source and submit written permission from the copyright holder to reproduce should appear in the legend for such figures.
• Legends for illustrations: Type or print out legends (maximum 40 words, excluding the credit line) for illustrations using double spacing, to the illustrations. When symbols, arrows, numbers, or letters are used to identify parts of the illustrations, identify and explain each one scale (magnification) and identify the method of staining in photomicrographs.
• The Journal reserves the right to crop, rotate, reduce, or enlarge the photographs to an acceptable size.

Authorship and Changes to Authorship

Authors are expected to consider carefully the list and order of authors before submitting their manuscript and provide the definitive list of authors at the time of the original submission. Any addition, deletion or rearrangement of author names in the authorship list should be made only before the manuscript has been accepted and only if approved by the journal Editor.

To request such a change, the Editor must receive the following from the corresponding author: (a) the reason for the change in author list and (b) written confirmation (e-mail, letter) from all authors that they agree with the addition, removal or rearrangement. In the case of addition or removal of authors, this includes confirmation from the author being added or removed.

Editorial Review Process

Initial Editorial Checking

All submitted manuscripts must go through rigorous editorial checks before they are sent for peer review. The manuscripts are checked for plagiarism, basic grammar and language, relevance to the journal’s aims and scope, and clarity of research design (for empirical papers).

Authors of manuscripts that do not pass the initial checks will be informed within 72 hours of the specific shortcoming(s) and are asked to revise and resubmit their manuscript.

Peer Review

Wallaga University Journal of Law is a double-blind peer-reviewed journal. Papers that meet the basic requirements will be sent to three peer reviewers. Within 4-6 weeks peer review comments will be sent back to the author along with the editorial decision being either acceptance, acceptance with revision; or rejection.

Revisions

A request for revision does not guarantee that the paper will be accepted. Reviewers may feel that the paper meets most criteria for publication but needs clarification on certain areas. Authors are given approximately 2 to 4 weeks to return their revised manuscript. Note that if the revision is not received after 6 months, the Editorial Office will consider the paper as ‘withdrawn’.

Two copies of a revised paper should be submitted: an anonymized, tracked copy; and a clean copy. A point-by-point reply to editorial and reviewer comments should exclude any identification of the authors or institutions, as this letter may be sent out to the reviewers for consideration during the second round of peer review.

Rejection

A manuscript can be rejected on the basis of the reviewers’ decision. The Editorial Office will notify the author the reasons for the rejection of the manuscript. The decision to reject the manuscript is final.

ACCEPTANCE AND PUBLICATION

Each accepted manuscript will be formatted and edited in accordance with the journal style. The Editor retains the right to determine the style, and if necessary, edit and shorten any material accepted for publication.

When the galley proof is ready, the Editorial Office will send the proof to the authors to check for its completeness. Confirmation or comments from the authors must be given within 48 hours of receipt of the proof, in order to avoid delays in publication of the manuscript. Authors should note that major alterations to the text will not be entertained at this stage, and that they are responsible for all statements made in their work, including changes made by the Editorial team and authorized by the corresponding author.

Opinions expressed in the Journal

Opinions expressed in this journal save for message from the editorial committee and the school reflects only the view of the respective author(s), not that of the journal or editorial committee or law school, or Wallaga University.

Publication and Dissemination

Wallaga University Law Journal is published both online and in print. The online publication is made available through the Wallaga University website, the Law School website and others.

Copyright Policy

 Exclusive Submission Policy: Authors and contributors to Wallaga University Journal of Law attest and acknowledge that all contributions are strictly original, do not infringe the copyright of any third party, and are not being simultaneously considered by any publication, nor have been previously published by any other publication.

 Plagiarism Policy of WUJL Journal

 Plagiarism ‘refers to the presentation or submission of the work of another, without citation or credits, as your own work’. WUJL journal does not allow any form of plagiarism. Plagiarism is considered to be a serious breach of scientific ethics by the Journal. If the editorial board/Authors/Readers/Publics find plagiarism in a piece already published in WUJL Journal, the journal’s executive board will determine the appropriate action to be taken, in consultation with legal counsel, if that is deemed necessary.

Such action could include disclosure of the report or conclusions of the evaluation committee in the journal, expelling the author from WUJL Journal, barring the author (Black Listing) from again publishing in the journal, or another appropriate sanction. Plagiarized cases will be displayed on the official website. The published article will be withdrawn from the website with a note of plagiarized along with the published title; Authors will also be marked for the same. The link to the full-text article will be disabled.

Please do report plagiarism if any, Website to:

https://journals.wgu.edu.et

ABBREVIATIONS

Define abbreviations that are not standard in this field in a footnote to be placed on the first page of the article. Such abbreviations that are unavoidable in the abstract must be defined at their first mention there, as well as in the footnote. Ensure consistency of abbreviations throughout the article.

Annex 1

Arbitral Awards and Cases

This at least should contain Case name (in most cases this would be the name of the parties to the case), Country and Court Name, Case number or file number, Date of the decision (in parenthesis),   Name of the case report or journal, Page where specific reference might be found.

Examples

Suez, Sociedad General de Aguas de Barcelona S.A. and Inter Agua Servicios Integrales del Agua S.A. v. Argentine Republic, ICSID Case No. ARB/03/17, Decision on Liability, July 30, 2010, para. 207.

Tecnicas Medioambientales Tecmed SA v. United Mexican States, (ICSID Case No. ARB (AF)/00/2) Award, 29 May 2003, para. 154.

W/t Tsedale Demissie Vs Ato Kifle Demisse, Federal Supreme Court, Cassation Bench, File No. 23632 (6 Nov 2007) Vol. 5, at 188.

Ethiopian Laws

This should include name of the legislation, legislation number, gazette name, number and year of publication.

Examples

The Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Proclamation No 1/1995, FEDERAL NEGARIT GAZETTE, 1st Year No.1, 1995. (For later use ‘hereafter FDRE CONSTITUTION’).

Environmental Pollution Control Proclamation No. 300/2002, FEDERAL NEGARIT GAZETA, 9th Year No. 12, Addis Ababa, 3rd December 2002

Theses

Example

Altayesh Taddese, The Negative Impact of Foreign Direct Investment on People’s Right to Food: Ethiopia’s Horticulture/ Floriculture Industry, LL.M Short Thesis, Central European University, (2016).

Ethiopian names

The order of Ethiopian names is as usually referred to in the day-to-day business, i.e. First name followed by Patronymic and Family names.

Example

Wakgari Kebeta Djigsa, The Adequacy of Ethiopia’s Bilateral Investment Treaties in
Protecting the Environment: Race to The Bottom, HARAMAYA LAW REVIEW 6 (2017): 67-90

CONTACT ADDRESS FOR COMMUNICATION

• EDITOR IN CHIEF
• WUJL Journal
• Wallaga University
• O. Box: 395
• NEKEMETE, ETHIOPIA.
• E-Mail: solomonemiru@wollegauniversity.edu.et     or   gutamasol@gmail.com
• Website:https://journals.wgu.edu.et

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