1. Presented by:Presented by:
May 3, 2013May 3, 2013
Errol Adams, J.D., M.L.S., COB’sErrol Adams, J.D., M.L.S., COB’s
Law LibrarianLaw Librarian
The Law Library & An Intro to Writing &The Law Library & An Intro to Writing &
Publication for Publication for the UWI/LLBPublication for Publication for the UWI/LLB
Program Faculty at COBProgram Faculty at COB

2. Discovering Bahamian LawDiscovering Bahamian Law
 At COB’s s Law Library you have had access to a variety of print publications includingAt COB’s s Law Library you have had access to a variety of print publications including
Halsbury Laws and access to four major legal databases:Halsbury Laws and access to four major legal databases:
 LexisLexis
 WestlawWestlaw
 HeinonlineHeinonline
 JustisJustis
 Bahamian LawsBahamian Laws
 HansardsHansards
 Status of Law Libraries in the BahamasStatus of Law Libraries in the Bahamas
 Marketing - Partnership with Eugene Dupuch Law School, The Attorney General, TheMarketing - Partnership with Eugene Dupuch Law School, The Attorney General, The
Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and The Bahamian Bar Association, Law ReformSupreme Court, Court of Appeal and The Bahamian Bar Association, Law Reform
Commission (Commission (Face Book,Face Book, LinkedInLinkedIn,, TwitterTwitter,, Google+Google+ PinterestPinterest && Word press Blog PageWord press Blog Page))
 Collection development listing of books/items that the Law Library should carry.Collection development listing of books/items that the Law Library should carry.
 Faculty must submit a listing of reserve items within the first week of the semesterFaculty must submit a listing of reserve items within the first week of the semester
 Guest BloggingGuest Blogging
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3. What Can a Law Librarian Do?What Can a Law Librarian Do?
 Help you use resources in your research (Pearse & Keele, 2012).Help you use resources in your research (Pearse & Keele, 2012).
 Assist in verifying references and bring articles into conformity withAssist in verifying references and bring articles into conformity with
applicable citation standards i.e. Blue Book or OSCOLA (Pearse &applicable citation standards i.e. Blue Book or OSCOLA (Pearse &
Keele, 2012).Keele, 2012).
 Assist in publishing via online repositories etc. examplesAssist in publishing via online repositories etc. examples
Digital CommonsDigital Commons,,
Open Journal Systems/Public Knowledge Project (OJS/PKR),Open Journal Systems/Public Knowledge Project (OJS/PKR),
WordPress,WordPress, DrupalDrupal andand DspaceDspace (Pearse & Keele, 2012).(Pearse & Keele, 2012).
 Assist with copyright policies (publication agreements & marketingAssist with copyright policies (publication agreements & marketing
articlesarticles
 Assist with “Durham Statement on Open Access to LegalAssist with “Durham Statement on Open Access to Legal
Scholarship."Scholarship."
 Assist in compliance with theAssist in compliance with the Model Code of EthicsModel Code of Ethics
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4. What is wrong with Scholarly LegalWhat is wrong with Scholarly Legal
Writing?Writing?
““ In its format, style, and method of publication, though, theIn its format, style, and method of publication, though, the
law review differs significantly from journals in otherlaw review differs significantly from journals in other
academic fields: law review writing style is oftenacademic fields: law review writing style is often
characterized by excessive article length and annotation.characterized by excessive article length and annotation.
….specific references, are a common feature. …most articles….specific references, are a common feature. …most articles
published in law reviewspublished in law reviews do notdo not undergo the double-blindundergo the double-blind
editorial review process that is standard elsewhere ineditorial review process that is standard elsewhere in
academia; rather, they are looked over by… unqualifiedacademia; rather, they are looked over by… unqualified
student editors and selected based on factors that may havestudent editors and selected based on factors that may have
nothing to do with their rigor or empirical validity—a situationnothing to do with their rigor or empirical validity—a situation
that has been called a case ofthat has been called a case of ‘lunatics running the asylum.’”‘lunatics running the asylum.’”
…”(Koulikov, 2010, p. 40).…”(Koulikov, 2010, p. 40).
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5. Peer ReviewPeer Review
 Peer Review is a “…process that requires experts in a particular fieldPeer Review is a “…process that requires experts in a particular field
to evaluate an author’s work and ideas in that same field”to evaluate an author’s work and ideas in that same field”
(McCormack, 2009, p.59).(McCormack, 2009, p.59).
 Non-doctrinal scholarship i.e. scholarship dealing with theNon-doctrinal scholarship i.e. scholarship dealing with the
intersection of law and other disciplinesintersection of law and other disciplines
 Systems of peer review: Open; Single-blind & Double-blindSystems of peer review: Open; Single-blind & Double-blind
 With the peer review process “statements and opinions are notWith the peer review process “statements and opinions are not
arbitrary, experiments and data meet specific standards ….” ( 2009 p.arbitrary, experiments and data meet specific standards ….” ( 2009 p.
64).64).
 Recently, “legal scholars began adopting the tools and approaches ofRecently, “legal scholars began adopting the tools and approaches of
other fields to their own discipline….under 60% of all citations in lawother fields to their own discipline….under 60% of all citations in law
review articles are to other law reviews, rather than to books.review articles are to other law reviews, rather than to books.
…”(Koulikov, 2010, p. 40).…”(Koulikov, 2010, p. 40).
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6. Planning & ResearchingPlanning & Researching
 Choosing A Topic :Choosing A Topic :
 Novel ; non-obvious; useful & sound; Topics may be drawn from databases; PreemptionNovel ; non-obvious; useful & sound; Topics may be drawn from databases; Preemption
checking –checking –
 Examples of topic types: Summarize a substantive area of law or procedure; anExamples of topic types: Summarize a substantive area of law or procedure; an
unresolved problem or a solution to sameunresolved problem or a solution to same
 ResearchResearch
 Background - read treatises, law review article & books on your topic (conflicting caseBackground - read treatises, law review article & books on your topic (conflicting case
law)law)
 Use citations & citators; Primary and Secondary Authorities; other sources –Use citations & citators; Primary and Secondary Authorities; other sources –
interdisciplinary; policy oriented, legislative & news; Keep research organized and takeinterdisciplinary; policy oriented, legislative & news; Keep research organized and take
good notesgood notes
 Find adverse authorities - CredibilityFind adverse authorities - Credibility
 WritingWriting
 Types of Scholarly Legal Writing- Law Review (case comments, case notes &Types of Scholarly Legal Writing- Law Review (case comments, case notes &
competition papers),competition papers), Substantive-law articles(the development of the law,Substantive-law articles(the development of the law,
enforcement & controversy), how to guides, journalsenforcement & controversy), how to guides, journals
 Draft; Actual Writing; Use Footnotes or endnotes (Word Features)Draft; Actual Writing; Use Footnotes or endnotes (Word Features)
 OSCOLAOSCOLA && Blue BookBlue Book
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7. Substantive Law ArticleSubstantive Law Article
 IntroductionIntroduction
 The Law its development and enactmentThe Law its development and enactment
 Discussion of the issues – primary &Discussion of the issues – primary &
Secondary Authorities, Disputable issuesSecondary Authorities, Disputable issues
 Practical ConsequencesPractical Consequences
 ConclusionConclusion
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8. Law ReviewLaw Review
 IntroductionIntroduction
 Overview SectionOverview Section
 Statute & court decisionsStatute & court decisions
 AnalysisAnalysis
 Policy argumentsPolicy arguments
 ConclusionConclusion
 OrganizingOrganizing
 Practical Work Transformed Into ArticlesPractical Work Transformed Into Articles
 Time AllocationTime Allocation
 Setting AsideSetting Aside
 Choosing A TitleChoosing A Title
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9. How To GuideHow To Guide
 IntroductionIntroduction
 Description of ….Description of ….
 Discussion of whyDiscussion of why
 Relevant forms, civil procedure/criminal etcRelevant forms, civil procedure/criminal etc
 How to…How to…
 ConclusionConclusion
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10. PublishingPublishing
 Initially submit to all relevant Law Journals or the top 25Initially submit to all relevant Law Journals or the top 25
 Look at each law review’s submission guidelinesLook at each law review’s submission guidelines
 Use electronic submission services : Berkeley Electronic Press Site forUse electronic submission services : Berkeley Electronic Press Site for
Legal Scholars; Social Science Research Network (SSRN):Legal Scholars; Social Science Research Network (SSRN):
 A copy of the paper, preferably in PDF formatA copy of the paper, preferably in PDF format
 An abstract of the paperAn abstract of the paper
 Keywords describing the paperKeywords describing the paper
 JEL (Journal of Economic Literature) Codes, if any. On the JEL codes,JEL (Journal of Economic Literature) Codes, if any. On the JEL codes,
see http://www.aeaweb.org/journal/jel_class_system.php. For papers lacking an economic element, a JEL code insee http://www.aeaweb.org/journal/jel_class_system.php. For papers lacking an economic element, a JEL code in
the K1, K2, K3 or K4 categories should be appropriate. For more detail on these codes,the K1, K2, K3 or K4 categories should be appropriate. For more detail on these codes,
see http://www.aeaweb.org/jel/guide/jel.php?class=K.see http://www.aeaweb.org/jel/guide/jel.php?class=K.
 A list of journals to which the paper should be submitted for distribution. You shouldA list of journals to which the paper should be submitted for distribution. You should
review http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/displayjournalbrowse.cfm to identify the journals in question. It is importantreview http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/displayjournalbrowse.cfm to identify the journals in question. It is important
that this be done with some care, because papers may only appear slowly, if at all, in the appropriate subjectthat this be done with some care, because papers may only appear slowly, if at all, in the appropriate subject
matter journals if the selection process is left to SSRNmatter journals if the selection process is left to SSRN
 Use free Submission forms on each journals websiteUse free Submission forms on each journals website
 Ian Randle PublishersIan Randle Publishers
 Timing – Mid march – April & Mid August – SeptemberTiming – Mid march – April & Mid August – September
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11. Requirements for Journal Submissions/PostRequirements for Journal Submissions/Post
AcceptanceAcceptance
 Cover Letter with a brief abstractCover Letter with a brief abstract
 WordPerfect or Word form,WordPerfect or Word form,
 Times New Roman, 12 pointTimes New Roman, 12 point
 Page or Word limitsPage or Word limits
 Request to see all changes prior to printingRequest to see all changes prior to printing
 After acceptance retain copyright and grant theAfter acceptance retain copyright and grant the
journal only non exclusive copyrights to the paperjournal only non exclusive copyrights to the paper
 Promote your paper (marketing – Social Media etc.)Promote your paper (marketing – Social Media etc.)
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12. CopyrightCopyright
Licenses/Versions/IndentifiersLicenses/Versions/Indentifiers
 Author retains copyrightAuthor retains copyright
 Non-exclusive temporary licenseNon-exclusive temporary license
 Allow authors to self archiveAllow authors to self archive
 Distribution rights/venuesDistribution rights/venues
 Clear policy on article version terminologyClear policy on article version terminology
 Clear marking on faculty members’ digitalClear marking on faculty members’ digital
depositsdeposits
 Use of persistent identifies/DOIUse of persistent identifies/DOI
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13. ReferencesReferences
 Campbell, K., Vick, D. W., Murray, A. D., & Little, G. F. (1999). Journal Publishing, Journal Reputation,
and the United Kingdom's Research Assessment Exercise. Journal Of Law & Society, 26(4), 470.
Retrieved from EBSCOhost April 29, 2013
 Closen, M. L &. Jarvis R. T. M. (1992) The National Conference Of Law Reviews Model Code Of(1992) The National Conference Of Law Reviews Model Code Of
Ethics: Final Text And Comments , Law Review 75 Marq. L Rev 509 (1992).Ethics: Final Text And Comments , Law Review 75 Marq. L Rev 509 (1992).
 Craik, N., Bryden, P., & Ireton, K. (2011). Law Review: Scholarship and Pedagogy in Canadian Law
Journals. Queen's Law Journal, 36(2), 393-441 Retrieved from EBSCOhost April 29, 2013
 Keele, B. J. & Pearse, M. (2012). How Librarians Can Help Improve Law Journal Publishing. 104 Law
Libr. J. 383 (2012). Retrieved from Heinonline April 20, 2013.
 Koulikov, M. (2010). Indexing and Full-Text Coverage of Law Review Articles in Nonlegal Databases:
An Initial Study. Law Library Journal, 102(1), 39-57. Retrieved from EBSCOhost April 29, 2013
 Lebovits, G. (January , 2006). Academic legal Writing : How to Write and Publish. New York State Bar
Journal. 78-Jan N.Y. St B.J. 64. Retrieved from Westlaw April 25, 2013.
 McCormack, N. (2009). Peer Review And Legal Publishing: What Law Librarians Need To Know
About Open, Single-blind ,And Double-blind Reviewing Law Library Journal Vol. 101:1 [2009-3].
Retrieved from Heinonline April 13, 2013.
 Thompson, J. (1996). Teaching Legal Research to Faculty: Accommodating Cultural And Learning Style
Differences. 88 Law. Libr. J. 280 1996. Retrieved from Heinonline April 13, 2013.
 Volokh, E & Schwartz G.T. (2007). Academic Legal Writing: Law Review Articles, Student Notes,
Seminar Papers, And Getting On Law Review. Foundation Press, New York, 3rd
Ed.
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