Publication Ethics

Corpus: International Journal of Law and Political Authority is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and ethical responsibility in scholarly publishing. The journal adheres to the principles and best practices recommended by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and expects all parties involved in the publication process—including authors, editors, reviewers, and the publisher—to comply with these ethical standards at every stage of manuscript submission, peer review, and publication.

1. Responsibilities of Authors

Authors are required to ensure that all submitted manuscripts are original, accurately reported, and properly cited in accordance with established academic conventions in legal and political studies. Any form of plagiarism, self-plagiarism, data fabrication, data falsification, or redundant publication is strictly prohibited.

Authors must present research findings honestly and transparently, provide sufficient legal and methodological reasoning to allow verification or critical assessment, and disclose any potential conflicts of interest, whether financial, institutional, or personal. Authorship should reflect significant intellectual contributions to the research, and manuscripts must not be under consideration by, or published in, another journal at the time of submission.

2. Responsibilities of Editors

Editors are responsible for evaluating submitted manuscripts in a fair, objective, and timely manner based solely on their scholarly merit, originality, clarity, and relevance to the journal’s focus on law, governance, and political authority.

Editors must maintain the confidentiality of all submitted materials and ensure that manuscript information is disclosed only to individuals directly involved in the editorial and peer-review process. Editorial decisions must be free from discrimination, personal bias, or conflicts of interest and must consistently uphold ethical principles that support research integrity and responsible academic publishing.

3. Responsibilities of Reviewers

Reviewers are expected to conduct peer reviews objectively, constructively, and within the agreed timeframe in order to enhance the quality of legal and political scholarship. All manuscripts received for review must be treated as confidential documents and must not be used for personal advantage.

Reviewers should identify and report any ethical concerns, including suspected plagiarism, redundant publication, unethical research practices, or undisclosed conflicts of interest, to the editors. Reviewers who feel unqualified to assess a manuscript or unable to provide an impartial evaluation should promptly decline the review invitation.

4. Responsibilities of the Publisher

The publisher, in collaboration with the editorial board, is responsible for ensuring that all publication practices comply with ethical standards and COPE guidelines. This includes handling ethical complaints, investigating allegations of academic misconduct, and implementing appropriate corrective actions, such as issuing corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern when necessary.

The publisher supports the editorial team in promoting transparency, accountability, and fairness throughout the editorial and publication process.