1.1 Language Editing

Rechtsnormen: Journal of Law requires manuscripts to meet international standards for the English language. Articles are normally published only in English. Authors whose first language is not English are strongly encouraged to have their manuscript checked by a native English speaker or a professional language-editing service before submission. Sending a manuscript for language editing does not imply or guarantee acceptance — editorial decisions on scientific content remain independent of this service.

1.2 Language Style

The default language style is American English. If you prefer British English, please specify this on the first page of your manuscript.

1.3 Article Length

Articles should be between 5,000 and 8,000 words, including the abstract, references, and all text in tables, figures, and appendices.

1.4 Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

• Include a few of your article's keywords in the title
• Avoid long article titles
• Pick 3–5 keywords, mixing generic and specific terms
• Use relevant keywords in the first two sentences of the abstract
• Use some keywords in level-1 headings

2.1 Title

Written in title case, aligned left, in Times New Roman, 14-point, bold, at the top of the page, with a length of 14–20 words. Concise, omitting implicit terms, and where possible a statement of the main result or conclusion. Abbreviations should be avoided. Witty titles are welcome only if relevant — in extreme cases, the editorial office may veto a title and propose an alternative.

2.2 Authors and Affiliations

All names listed together, separated by commas — exact and correct, as indexed in official archives. Affiliations keyed with superscript numbers, listed as: Institute/University/Organisation, Country (without postal detail).

Example: Sekolah Tinggi Agama Islam Al-Hikmah Pariangan Batusangkar, Indonesia.

Corresponding Author(s) marked with a superscript symbol. Only the email address is required — detailed postal addresses should not be included.

2.3 Headings and Sub-headings

Headings: Times New Roman, 12, bold, capitalized. Subheadings: Times New Roman, 12, bold, each word capitalized.

2.4 Abstract

Renders the general significance and conceptual advance of the work accessible to a broad readership. Minimize abbreviations; do not cite references. Between 200 and 300 words, written in English, structured around: Background, Purpose, Methods, Results, and Conclusion. The abstract is written in Times New Roman, 10-point, with a line spacing of 1.0 (single) and paragraph spacing of 3 pt before and 3 pt after.

2.5 Keywords

Up to 5 keywords; at least 3 are mandatory. Keywords are written in Times New Roman, 10-point.

2.6 Text Formatting

Body text in 12-point normal Times New Roman, single-spaced, new paragraphs separated by a blank line. The document should include page and line numbers to facilitate review. Prepared using MS Word (.doc/.docx). Abbreviations kept to a minimum; non-standard abbreviations defined upon first use and appearing at least four times.

1. Introduction
2. Research Methodology
3. Results and Discussion
4. Conclusion
5. Declaration of AI and AI-Assisted Technologies in the Writing Process — see the AI Policy for the disclosure format.
6. Acknowledgement
7. Authors' Contribution — a brief statement of each author's specific contribution
8. Declaration of Competing Interest
9. References

Introduction

Stimulates the reader's interest and provides background necessary to understand the rest of the paper. Discuss the paper's relation to other researchers' work — a literature review on the most relevant, recently published work in high-reputation journals is required. State the gap analysis or novelty statement, and clearly state your research question and its contribution to existing legal scholarship.

Research Methodology

Explains clearly how the research was conducted, enabling readers to evaluate and replicate the work — including the legal research method employed (e.g., normative/doctrinal, comparative, socio-legal/empirical), sources analyzed (statutes, case law, secondary literature), and analytical approach used.

Results and Discussion

States findings, interprets them, explains implications, and suggests future research — answering the questions posed in the Introduction. Provide commentary, not a reiteration of results; avoid over-interpretation or unwarranted speculation.

Conclusion

A synthesis of key points, not a restatement of the research problem. Typically one well-developed paragraph. Do not rewrite the abstract, introduce new arguments, or include evidence that belongs in the body of the paper.

Minimum Reference Requirement: Each manuscript must include a minimum of 35 references. At least the majority of these references should be drawn from internationally reputable, peer-reviewed journals published within the last three (3) years, to ensure the manuscript engages with the most current state of research in the field.

Article in a print journal:
Umar, U., Hendra, H., & Yusoof, M. H. B. (2019). Building Children's Character: Ethnographic Study of Maja Labo Dahu Culture at Bima Community. Jurnal Iqra': Kajian Ilmu Pendidikan, 4(2), 182–201.

Article in an online journal:
Guo, M., Hu, Y., & Yu, J. (2019). The role of financial development in the process of climate change: Evidence from different panel models in China. Atmospheric Pollution Research, 10(5), 1375–1382. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apr.2019.03.006

Book:
Baron, R. A. (1977). Human Aggression. Springer US.

Thesis:
Maba, A. P. (2017). Peran Kesendirian dan Kecemasan Sosial terhadap Keinginan untuk Konseling Siswa [Undergraduate thesis, Sekolah Tinggi Agama Islam Al-Hikmah Pariangan Batusangkar].