IJLSS

The International Journal of Law and Strategic Studies

Published by The Hague International Centre for Law and Strategic Studies (HILC)

ISSN Pending Registration

Publisher The Hague International Centre for Law and Strategic Studies

Access Open Access

Review Double-Blind

Ethics COPE Member

Inaugural Volume · Vol. 1 · 2026 · Now Accepting Submissions

Advancing Scholarship in Law
and Strategic Studies

A peer-reviewed, open-access journal advancing scholarship in international law, strategic studies, and global governance — publishing original research by scholars and practitioners worldwide.

Double-Blind Peer Review Open Access DOI Registered COPE Member OSCOLA Citations 8–12 Week Review

About the Journal

Vision, Mission & Purpose

Vision: To become a leading global platform for the publication of high-quality legal and strategic scholarship that informs policy, advances justice, and bridges academic inquiry with real-world practice.

Mission: To advance scientific knowledge by publishing original, peer-reviewed research that contributes to the development of law, strategic studies, and public policy, with a commitment to open access, scholarly integrity, and international diversity.

The International Journal of Law and Strategic Studies (IJLSS) is a peer-reviewed, open-access publication of The Hague International Centre for Law and Strategic Studies (HILC). The journal publishes original research articles, case commentaries, review articles, and policy analyses at the intersection of international law, strategic policy, and global governance.

All submissions undergo double-blind peer review by independent international reviewers, ensuring the highest standards of scholarly integrity. IJLSS follows COPE guidelines for publication ethics and is committed to providing free global access to all published research.

Call for Papers — Vol.1 Issue 1

Volume 1, Issue 1 (2026) — Now Open

We invite original research in all areas of international law and strategic studies. 8–12 week review. Open access publication with DOI.

Volume 1, Issue 1 (2026)

Inaugural Issue · International Law & Strategic Studies

Accepting Submissions

Research Article

The Evolution of Sovereign Immunity in International Commercial Arbitration

Sample Author · University of International Law

DOI: 10.XXXXX/ijlss.2026.001
ArbitrationSovereignty
PDF

Policy Analysis

Strategic Dimensions of International Sanctions Regimes: Legal Frameworks and Geopolitical Implications

Sample Author · Institute of Strategic Studies

DOI: 10.XXXXX/ijlss.2026.002
SanctionsStrategy
PDF

Your Research Belongs Here

IJLSS is currently accepting submissions for Volume 1, Issue 1 (2026). We welcome original research in all areas of international law and strategic studies.

Submit a Manuscript →

IJLSS welcomes original research across all fields of law and strategic studies. The following represents the journal's primary areas, though submissions addressing related or emerging fields are also considered.

⚖️ International Law

  • Public International Law
  • Treaty Law & State Responsibility
  • International Organisations
  • Use of Force & Jus ad Bellum

🛡 Human Rights Law

  • International Human Rights
  • Humanitarian Law (IHL)
  • Transitional Justice
  • Accountability Mechanisms

⚔️ Strategic & Security Studies

  • Geopolitics & National Security
  • Military Strategy & Defence Policy
  • Intelligence Studies
  • Conflict Resolution & Peacekeeping

🏛 Constitutional & Comparative Law

  • Constitutional Law & Design
  • Comparative Legal Systems
  • Regional Integration (EU, ASEAN, AU)
  • Rule of Law & Governance

💼 International Arbitration & ADR

  • Commercial & Investment Arbitration
  • Mediation & Conciliation
  • ICSID, ICC, UNCITRAL
  • Enforcement of Awards

🌐 International Trade & Investment

  • WTO Law & Trade Policy
  • Bilateral Investment Treaties
  • Sanctions & Economic Coercion
  • Global Value Chains

🚢 Maritime & Environmental Law

  • Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
  • Maritime Security
  • Environmental & Climate Law
  • Oceans Governance

⚡ Criminal & Cyber Law

  • International Criminal Law (ICC)
  • Cyber Warfare & Cyber Law
  • Digital Sovereignty
  • Terrorism & Counter-Terrorism Law

🤖 Emerging Legal Issues

  • AI Governance & Ethics
  • Space Law
  • Technology & Legal Practice
  • Data Protection & Privacy

📊 Governance & Policy

  • Global Governance
  • Anti-Corruption Frameworks
  • Public Sector Accountability
  • Strategic Management

Complete the form below to submit your manuscript. You will receive an acknowledgement email with your reference number within 48 hours. All fields marked (*) are required.

Manuscript Submission Form

Ensure your manuscript is fully anonymised before submission. Author details must appear on a separate title page only. Submissions not meeting IJLSS guidelines may be returned without review.

You will be redirected to our secure submission system (OJS). By submitting, you confirm originality, exclusivity, ethical compliance, and that all co-authors have approved submission. IJLSS follows COPE guidelines.

✓ Your manuscript has been successfully submitted to IJLSS.
You will receive an acknowledgement with your reference number within 48 hours.
Editorial decision within 8–12 weeks. Thank you for submitting to IJLSS.

Article Processing Charge

APC Policy

IJLSS is committed to open access. The following APC policy applies:

2027 — Established

USD 150 / article

Standard APC for authors with institutional funding. Full waivers available for researchers from developing countries.

Waiver Policy

100% waiver

Full waivers granted to authors from low-income countries (World Bank classification) and HILC-affiliated researchers.

Editor-in-Chief

Chief Editor

L

Dr. Le Blanc

Editor-in-Chief

The Hague International Centre for Law and Strategic Studies (HILC)

Publishing Institution

Founding Publisher

A

Dr. Ali Saleh Al-Fakir

Founding Publisher

Executive Director & CEO, HILC — The Hague International Centre for Law and Strategic Studies

Associate Editors

Editorial Structure

Positions to be Filled

Managing EditorEditorial operations & workflow
Associate Editor — LawInternational & comparative law
Associate Editor — StrategyStrategic & security studies

International Advisory Board — Call for Members

IJLSS is forming its International Advisory Board (15–25 members) and Reviewer Panel. We seek distinguished scholars from Europe, North America, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America in international law, strategic studies, and related fields.

Express Interest →

IJLSS is committed to the highest standards of publication ethics. The journal adheres to the following internationally recognised frameworks:

COPE Committee on Publication Ethics ICMJE International Committee of Medical Journal Editors DOAJ Directory of Open Access Journals CC BY 4.0 Creative Commons Open Licence

Authors' Responsibilities

  • Submit only original work not published or under review elsewhere
  • Ensure all co-authors have approved and contributed meaningfully to the work
  • Disclose all funding sources and conflicts of interest
  • Accurately present data — fabrication, falsification, and selective reporting are grounds for rejection or retraction
  • Cite all sources appropriately and avoid plagiarism (maximum 15% similarity)
  • Notify the editor promptly of any errors discovered in published work
  • Obtain all necessary permissions for third-party material

Reviewers' Responsibilities

  • Evaluate manuscripts objectively, professionally, and in a timely manner
  • Maintain strict confidentiality of manuscript content and review process
  • Declare conflicts of interest and recuse where appropriate
  • Not use unpublished material from reviewed manuscripts without author consent
  • Alert the editor to any suspected ethical violations

Editors' Responsibilities

  • Evaluate manuscripts solely on scholarly merit, regardless of author identity, affiliation, or nationality
  • Maintain confidentiality of all submitted manuscripts
  • Disclose and manage conflicts of interest in editorial decisions
  • Take appropriate action on suspected or confirmed misconduct
  • Publish corrections, retractions, and expressions of concern when warranted
  • Ensure fair and timely peer review for all submissions

Plagiarism & Misconduct Policy

  • All manuscripts are screened using plagiarism detection software before peer review
  • Maximum accepted similarity: 15% (preferably under 10%)
  • Manuscripts with excessive similarity are returned without review
  • Suspected misconduct is investigated following COPE flowcharts
  • Confirmed misconduct may result in retraction, correction, or ban from future submission

Retraction & Correction Policy

  • Articles may be retracted for: data fabrication, plagiarism, duplicate publication, undisclosed conflicts of interest, or legal issues
  • Retracted articles remain accessible with a retraction notice
  • Corrections are issued for minor errors that do not affect conclusions
  • All retraction and correction notices are published with full transparency

IJLSS operates a rigorous double-blind peer review process. Both authors and reviewers remain anonymous throughout the review. All manuscripts are reviewed by at least two independent international experts.

1

Submission Receipt

Upon submission, authors receive an automatic acknowledgement with a reference number. The Editorial Office conducts an initial check for compliance with submission guidelines (format, word count, anonymisation).

2

Plagiarism Screening

All manuscripts are screened using industry-standard plagiarism detection software. Manuscripts exceeding the 15% similarity threshold are returned to authors without proceeding to peer review.

3

Editorial Assessment

The Editor-in-Chief or a designated Associate Editor conducts a preliminary assessment of the manuscript's scope, originality, and scholarly merit. Manuscripts not meeting minimum standards may be desk-rejected at this stage.

4

Reviewer Assignment

Manuscripts passing editorial assessment are assigned to at least two independent peer reviewers with relevant expertise. Reviewers are selected from IJLSS's international reviewer panel and external experts, with strict conflict-of-interest checks.

5

Double-Blind Review

Reviewers evaluate the manuscript using IJLSS's structured review form, assessing: originality, methodology, argumentation, clarity, contribution to the field, and compliance with citation standards. Reviewers have 4 weeks to complete their report.

6

Editorial Decision

Upon receipt of reviewer reports, the Editor-in-Chief makes a final decision. Authors are notified within 8–12 weeks of submission with a decision and reviewer comments.

7

Revision & Resubmission

Authors of manuscripts requiring revision must submit a revised manuscript with a detailed response letter addressing each reviewer comment. Major revisions may undergo a second round of review.

8

Acceptance & Production

Accepted manuscripts are copyedited and typeset. Proofs are sent to the corresponding author for final approval. The article is then assigned a DOI and published open access on the IJLSS website.

Possible Outcomes

Editorial Decisions

Accept

Manuscript accepted for publication with minor or no changes.

Minor Revisions

Accepted subject to minor revisions. No second review required.

Major Revisions

Substantial revision required. Revised manuscript may undergo second review.

Reject

Manuscript does not meet IJLSS standards. Resubmission not invited.

IJLSS is committed to maximising the visibility and impact of all published research. The journal is pursuing indexing in leading academic databases through a structured multi-phase roadmap.

Phase 1 — Launch (2026)

Immediate Indexing

Zenodo — DOI RegistrationActive
Google ScholarPending
ROAD (ISSN Portal)Pending ISSN
BASE (Bielefeld Academic Search Engine)Pending
DimensionsPending
SSRN (Social Science Research Network)Pending

Phase 2 — Year 1–2

Open Access Indexing

DOAJ — Directory of Open Access JournalsTargeted 2027
HeinOnline (Legal Journals)Targeted 2027
Crossref (DOI Registration)Targeted 2027

Phase 3 — Year 2–3

Major Academic Databases

Scopus (Elsevier)Targeted 2028–2029
Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI/WoS)Targeted 2028–2029

Phase 4 — Long-term

Elite Indexing

Web of Science Core CollectionLong-term Goal
Westlaw / LexisNexisLong-term Goal

🎯 Scopus Readiness Checklist

International editorial board with genuine expertise
Double-blind peer review process
DOI for every article
ISSN (in progress)
Professional website with full information
Open access publication in English
Clear publication ethics (COPE)
Regular publication (2 issues/year) — In progress
Geographic diversity of authors
Self-citation rate below 10%

Manuscript Submissions

Emailjournal@haguecenter.comSubmission FormVia the Submit page on this websiteResponse TimeAcknowledgement within 48 hoursDecision Time8–12 weeks from submission

Editorial Enquiries

Editor-in-ChiefDr. Le BlancEmailjournal@haguecenter.comGeneral Enquiriescontact@haguecenter.comPublisherDr. Ali Saleh Al-Fakir

Reviewer Applications

Emailjournal@haguecenter.comSubject Line"Reviewer Application — IJLSS"IncludeCV, ORCID, areas of expertiseResponseWithin 2 weeks

Publisher — HILC

InstitutionThe Hague International Centre for Law and Strategic StudiesWebsitewww.haguecenter.comEmailcontact@haguecenter.com

Advance Your Research with IJLSS

Join an international community of legal scholars and strategic analysts. Submit your research to be published open access with a registered DOI.