Submission Guidelines

Welcome to the Indian Journal of International Economic Law (IJIEL) Blog. We are a student-edited, peer-reviewed law journal published by the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore, under the patronage of the Indian government-sponsored chair on WTO Law. Our mission is to foster insightful discussions and scholarship on international economic law, with a focus on developing countries.

The IJIEL Blog was conceptualized to further this dialogue by providing a dynamic and interactive platform where students, practitioners, and academicians can share timely insights and analyses. We have featured contributions from esteemed professionals including James J. Nedumpara (Indian Institute of Foreign Trade), Manya Gupta (Centre for Trade and Investment Law, New Delhi), Sparsha Janardhan (Centre for Trade and Investment Law, New Delhi), Nandita Chauhan (Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas), Sukanya Thapliyal (Centre for WTO Studies, IIFT), Rishabha Meena (Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India), Kimmie Fearnside (Boies Schiller Flexner UK LLP), and Ricardo García Antón (Tilburg University). 

 We look forward to receiving your submissions!

Scope of Contributions

We invite submissions that broadly relate to International Economic Law, including (but not limited to): Trade Law and Policy (WTO, FTAs, PTAs), Investment Law and Dispute Resolution, Financial Regulation, Global Economic Governance, Emerging Issues in International Taxation, Cross-border Transactions, Technology and E-commerce in Global Markets. 

We also welcome:

  • Comments on Contemporary Legal Developments  (e.g., recent judgments, legislative changes, or policy developments)
  • Responses to Previously Published Works  (IJIEL journal articles, previous IJIEL Blog posts, or other leading scholarship)
  • Book Reviews (engaging critically with recent and relevant academic or policy-related books)

Submission Format and Length

  1. We recommend 1,500–3000 words (excluding references). Submissions below or above this range may be considered if the content is of outstanding quality and relevance.
  2. Use simple, clear, and concise language. Avoid excessive jargon. Where technical terms are used, provide brief explanations for readers from diverse backgrounds.
  3. Hyperlink sources instead of using extensive footnotes. Where a particular point needs a direct reference (e.g., legal provisions, academic discussions), insert a hyperlink directing readers to an open-access source whenever possible.
  4. Footnotes (if necessary) should be used sparingly and only for essential citations that cannot be hyperlinked or require additional explanatory notes. In such instances, use OSCOLA 4 (edn). 
  5. A maximum of two co-authors may collaborate on a single blog post (in exceptional cases, 3 authors may be permitted).
  6. All submissions must be original and unpublished. By submitting to the IJIEL Blog, you agree not to simultaneously submit the piece to another forum. If your piece is accepted here, you must withdraw it from consideration elsewhere.
  7. Cross-publications are permitted with board approval only if the article was first published in IJIEL.

How to Submit

  1. Please submit your manuscript in Word (.doc or .docx) format.
  2. Email your submission to ijiel@nls.ac.in with the subject line “IJIEL Blog Submission – [Title of Your Article]”.
  3. Submit 4-5  relevant keywords with your piece. 
  4. Please include a brief author bio (1–2 lines) in your covering email. Mention your affiliation and any relevant position or expertise.
  5. State your full name, institutional affiliation, and email address. We will use these details to contact you about the review process.

Review and Editorial Process

  1. Submissions are screened by the Editorial Board for clarity, relevance, and originality. Submissions that do not meet these guidelines may be rejected without substantive review.
  2. If shortlisted, your submission will undergo a review by our Editorial Board. This includes checking for factual accuracy and ensuring the piece aligns with the IJIEL’s mandate of encouraging discourse on international economic law, particularly from a developing country perspective.
  3. We strive to respond within 2–3 weeks from the date of submission. If there are significant time-sensitive developments, please indicate the urgency in your cover email. We may expedite review on a case-by-case basis.
  4. While we endeavor to provide substantive feedback for all shortlisted submissions, we regret that it may not always be possible to do so for every submission, given the volume we receive.
  5. Once accepted, the Editorial Board may propose minor edits for clarity, style, and consistency. We publish blog posts on a rolling basis, typically within a week of final approval.
  6. While responding to the Editor’s comments, authors are requested to retain the comments and make all edits in “track changes” mode in the review document itself.

Ethical and Legal Considerations

  1. Plagiarized content will lead to automatic rejection. Authors are responsible for ensuring that their work is free from any form of plagiarism.
  2. If your submission is accepted elsewhere during our review process, please withdraw your submission by notifying us immediately. If your piece is accepted by the IJIEL Blog first, you must refrain from publishing it elsewhere.
  3. Authors are responsible for verifying facts and legal positions cited. The IJIEL and its Editorial Board disclaim liability for any inaccuracies.

Contact Us

For any queries or clarifications related to submissions or the editorial process, please reach out to us at:

  • Email: ijielblog@nls.ac.in

We look forward to reading your contributions and thank you for your interest in the IJIEL Blog. By adding your voice to our platform, you help drive critical conversations in international economic law forward, particularly from the vantage point of developing countries.