"Practical, thoroughly researched guide on publishing in JICJ (Oxford): history, significance, step-by-step manuscript plan, submission workflow, cover-letter template, pitfalls, footnotes and references." "Journal of International Criminal Justice, JICJ, Oxford, international criminal law, how to publish, cover letter template, submission checklist, manuscript preparation"

How to Publish in the Journal of International Criminal Justice (JICJ)

Short summary: JICJ (Oxford University Press) is a leading peer-reviewed venue for scholarship that shapes international criminal law doctrine and practice. This guide explains the journal’s significance, how editors and reviewers evaluate submissions, a detailed manuscript blueprint, a step-by-step submission workflow (ScholarOne/Editorial Manager), a copyable cover-letter, a pre-submission checklist, ethical and copyright traps to avoid, and practical templates you can reuse.

Why JICJ matters (context & readership)

The Journal of International Criminal Justice is published by Oxford University Press and targets scholarship at the intersection of criminal law, public international law, criminology and the practice of international courts & tribunals. Its audience includes ICC judges and counsel, national prosecutors, tribunal practitioners, academics, and policy makers. JICJ routinely features doctrinal analysis, practice-oriented essays, comparative case law pieces and special issues on emergent topics (for example: new technologies, ecocide debates, or national prosecutions). 0

Metrics (for orientation): JICJ’s 2024 journal metrics show an impact/cites-per-doc trend rising in recent years (Scimago & Clarivate data put the 2024 cites/doc around 1.5 and list it in Law/SSCI categories). Metrics change annually — check Clarivate/Scopus for up-to-date values. 1

Essential facts editors expect you to know

• Publisher & platform: Oxford University Press; journal pages and editorial board on Oxford Academic. 2
• Submission portal: OUP journals use ScholarOne / Editorial Manager workflows — register, create an author account, upload separate files (title page, anonymised manuscript as requested, figures/tables, cover letter). 3
• Style sheet: JICJ publishes a stylesheet (available from the Journal / Editorial Assistant). OSCOLA conventions are commonly followed in international law pieces; JICJ provides a JICJ style PDF for formatting. 4
• Length & format: typical articles run from ~5,000–10,000 words (shorter essays 3,000–5,000); check the journal’s Information for Authors and recent issues to match expectations. (Exceptions apply for major review pieces or symposia contributions.) 5
• Ethics & originality: COPE guidance is used by OUP; the journal screens for plagiarism and expects originality, proper attribution, and conflict-of-interest disclosures.

Step-by-step manuscript blueprint (how to write an accept-ready article)

Overview — choose a publishable question

High-value JICJ pieces answer questions that matter to practitioners or clarify doctrine in ways judges or counsel can use. Examples of publishable contributions:

• Doctrinal clarifications that resolve recurring interpretive problems in ICC/tribunal case law;
• Comparative case studies showing divergent national approaches to complementarity or universal jurisdiction;
• Empirical pieces illuminating prosecutorial strategy, non-cooperation patterns, or evidentiary practices;
• Policy-oriented pieces that propose implementable reforms to treaty regimes or court practice.

Detailed structure & micro-wording (what to put in each section)

1. Title (10–14 words): specific and searchable — include key terms (e.g., “ecocide”, “complementarity”, “customary international law”, “digital evidence”).
2. Abstract (150–250 words): state the problem, your argument, methodology, and 2–3 practical implications for judges/prosecutors. Editors read the abstract first — make it concrete.
3. Keywords (4–6): pick terms used by practitioners and databases (ICC, jurisdiction, mens rea, complementarity, evidence, ecocide).
4. Introduction (800–1,200 words): open with a problem scenario (a case or policy failure), state the thesis, explain the contribution vis-à-vis current jurisprudence, and preview structure. Put one paragraph that directly tells “why this matters to judges/prosecutors.”
5. Doctrinal/background (1,000–1,500 words): map treaties/statutes, key cases (ICJ/ICC/ICTY/ICTR/Ad hoc), and doctrinal controversy. Use subheadings for clarity (e.g., “A. Statutory Framework — Rome Statute Article 7”, “B. Conflicting National Approaches”).
6. Analysis / argument (1,000–2,000 words): present your legal argument, evidence, or comparative findings. If empirical, include methods; if doctrinal, lay out interpretive steps (text, context, purpose — VCLT Article 31 approach where relevant). Cite relevant jurisprudence and secondary sources succinctly in footnotes.
7. Counter-arguments (300–700 words): address strongest objections, including political feasibility and normative critiques (e.g., sovereignty, colonial legacy).
8. Practical implications & recommendations (300–700 words): list concrete steps for judges, prosecutors, legislatures; include draft language for a treaty provision or model judicial instruction if appropriate.
9. Conclusion (200–400 words): restate the contribution and the one tactical ask you want readers (e.g., “courts should adopt interpretive step X; states should add clause Y to implementing legislation”).
10. Bibliography & footnotes: use JICJ style sheet and consistent legal citation format (OSCOLA or the JICJ custom style). Footnotes should be for sources and brief explanatory notes only. Avoid long discursive footnotes. 7

Micro-tips for stronger drafts

• Use clear headings — reviewers skim to find where the legal rule is analyzed.
• Lead with the practice problem — judges/prosecutors need to see applicability quickly.
• When citing cases, include the short neutral citation and paragraph numbers for ease of checking.
• If relying on comparative domestic law, summarise the rule in a one-line “rule box” at the start of the section.
• Keep prose tight — avoid jargon and long theoretical detours unless they materially support your argument.

Submission workflow (precise, step-by-step)

1. Pre-submission checks: confirm originality, run a plagiarism check (Turnitin or similar), ensure all co-authors agree, and obtain permissions for any third-party figures/tables. COPE flowcharts guide responses to overlap or duplicate publication concerns.
2. Create account on the submission portal: JICJ uses OUP’s submission platform (details on the Journal’s Oxford page). Register and complete your profile (affiliation, ORCID, contact info). 9
3. Prepare files: – Title page with author details and correspondence address; – anonymised manuscript (if double-blind review is requested); – abstract and keywords; – figures/tables in separate files; – permissions documents; – suggested reviewers (optional) and cover letter. 10
4. Upload & answer required questions: the portal will ask for funding, conflict of interest, and whether the manuscript is under consideration elsewhere (must answer “no”).
5. Submit & monitor: you will receive an automated acknowledgement. Typical turnaround: desk decisions within 2–6 weeks; first peer review decisions 8–16 weeks depending on reviewer availability. If no communication after reasonable time (12 weeks) send a polite editorial inquiry. 11
6. If invited to revise: prepare a point-by-point response to reviewers (a table summarising changes and quoting new paragraph/line numbers). Provide a clean revised manuscript and a tracked-changes version if requested.
7. Acceptance & production: upon acceptance you will receive an offer to sign a license (copyright transfer or OA license if you selected open access). Check OUP’s APC & waiver policy if you chose OA. Production queries ask for final high-resolution figures and author proofs — respond quickly to avoid delays.

Cover-letter (copy & paste template — customise before use)

[Date]

Editor-in-Chief
Journal of International Criminal Justice
Oxford University Press

Dear Professor [Last Name] / Dear Editors,

Please consider for publication my manuscript titled:
“[Full Title]”

Word count (including abstract and footnotes): [#] words.
Article type: [Article / Essay / Review / Symposium piece]

Brief summary (2–3 sentences):
[One-line problem statement and your thesis.]

Original contribution (3 bullet points):
• [Primary doctrinal or empirical contribution]
• [Comparative or jurisprudential insight]
• [Practical implication for courts/prosecutors/policy]

I confirm that:
• This manuscript is original and is not under consideration elsewhere;
• All authors have approved this submission;
• Funding sources: [list or “none”];
• Conflicts of interest: [list or “none”].

Suggested reviewers (optional):
1) [Name, affiliation, email] — (not a recent collaborator)
2) [Name, affiliation, email]

Thank you for considering this manuscript for JICJ.

Sincerely,
[Full name]
[Institution / affiliation]
[ORCID iD]
[Email]
[Postal address]
    

What editors & reviewers look for — translating review criteria into drafting choices

• Clear, original claim: state it early and repeatedly — reviewers are sympathetic to clarity.
• Authoritative use of sources: rely on primary sources (treaties, Rome Statute, ICC/ICTY/ICTR decisions, domestic judgments) and recent secondary literature (last 5 years) to situate your contribution. 13
• Practical value: show what judges/prosecutors would do differently because of your article (provide model language or a test judges can apply).
• Methodological transparency: if empirical, explain dataset, coding and limitations; if doctrinal, explain interpretive choices (textual, teleological, systematic).
• Engagement with counterarguments: the best articles pre-empt and neutralise the strongest objections.

Common pitfalls & how to avoid them (practical warnings)

1. Failing to show institutional relevance: If your article reads as abstract theory, add a short “Practical Implications” section outlining direct uses for courts, prosecutors, or lawmakers.
2. Poor citation practice: inconsistent citations, missing pinpoint references to case paragraphs, or overuse of secondary literature frustrates reviewers. Use the JICJ style sheet / OSCOLA. 14
3. Not securing permissions: reproducing tables, maps or long statutory extracts without permission creates production delays and possibly legal issues — secure permissions early. OUP handles permissions requests but expects authors to have done the groundwork.
4. Length creep & poor editing: keep drafts tight. Long rambling introductions and multiple side-issues reduce acceptance chances. Hire a professional proofreader if English is not your strongest language.
5. Ethical missteps: ghost authorship, failure to disclose funding or conflicts, plagiarism — all are reportable and harmful to careers. Use COPE & publisher guidance to avoid missteps.

Practical post-acceptance issues (production, OA, embargoes)

When accepted, you will be asked to sign a license: choose between traditional copyright transfer or (if you opted) OA license (Creative Commons variants). APCs for OA with OUP vary — check the OUP / Sherpa/Jisc listing for fee, waiver, and funder compliance. Production typically requests final unformatted files and high-resolution images; you’ll receive proofs to correct. Timely and careful proof corrections shorten time-to-publication.

Sample excerpt (introduction paragraph) — model language you can adapt

Contemporary applications of the doctrine of complementarity reveal a persistent gap between prosecutorial aspiration and domestic capacity. This article argues that a flexible, tiered test for complementarity—one which places measured weight on procedural fairness — will better protect accused persons while promoting genuine domestic accountability. Section I maps the current jurisprudence of the ICC and national courts. Section II identifies three recurring procedural barriers. Section III proposes a model statutory amendment for domestic implementing legislation that balances accountability with due process.

Pre-submission checklist (copy & use)

• ✔ Abstract (150–250 words), 4–6 keywords.
• ✔ Complete title page with all author details and ORCID iD(s).
• ✔ Manuscript formatted to JICJ style sheet (request PDF from editorial assistant if needed). 18
• ✔ Anonymised version (if double-blind requested) and unblinded title page.
• ✔ Permissions secured for figures/tables and any long quoted extracts.
• ✔ Plagiarism/self-similarity check completed and documented.
• ✔ Cover letter tailored to JICJ using the template above.
• ✔ Optional: 2–3 suggested reviewers with contact details (avoid recent collaborators/mentors).
• ✔ Funding / conflict of interest statement included.

Further resources & quick links (where I pulled the facts)

• Journal of International Criminal Justice — Oxford Academic (journal home, editorial board & general instructions). 19
• JICJ style sheet (PDF) — get from the Journal or Editorial Assistant. 20
• COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) — best practice on plagiarism, authorship disputes and corrections.
• OUP submission portals & ScholarOne guidance (portal used by many OUP journals).
• Open access & APC guidance — Sherpa / Jisc and OUP pages for fee & waiver options. 23

Clickable footnotes & references

1. Journal of International Criminal Justice — Oxford Academic (homepage, aims & scope, editorial board). 24
2. JICJ Style sheet (PDF) — headings, footnote & citation rules (request updated version from Editorial Assistant). 25
3. JICJ — Information for Authors / General Instructions (manuscript formatting & submission notes). 26
4. Scimago / Journal metrics — JICJ cites / doc and subject ranking (2024 values). 27
5. Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) — editorial & plagiarism guidance.
6. JICJ Editorial Board / Editors pages (names & appointments). 29
7. Clarivate / Journal Impact Factor explanation — check for updated JICJ IF values. 30
8. Publisher guidance on cover letters (examples from major publishers). 31
9. Historical editorial & founding notes (archive): founding editors and early volumes. 32
10. Representative JICJ issue & special topics (browse recent issues for fit).