UCL has always been at the forefront of innovation and it seems in Law, it is no different. Born out of the UCL Jurisprudence Review, the university’s academic student reviewed law journal is now approaching its twenty year milestone. Though rebranded last year with the aim of broadening the scope of its contents, the UCL Journal of Law and Jurisprudence has nonetheless a considerable history and reputation to uphold.
Approaching its annual launch date, the Academic Editor, Shida Galletti, outlined to Pi what she considered were the purposes behind the journal: ‘For me, the purpose of the journal centres upon the exhibition of excellent academic research drawn from a wide variety of national and international institutions.’
On the subject of writers she said, “We have been contacted by quite a number of authors from across Europe, who obviously had heard of the journal from past editions.” Indeed some of the submissions for the upcoming edition were submitted by leading continental universities which had not even been notified during the call for submissions.
Yet, while drawing upon student research, it also publishes work by established scholars and practitioners. In addition, the Managing Editor, Yiota Angelos pointed out that “past launches have had well known speakers attend, such as Baroness Hale of Richmond, Professor David Kennedy of Harvard Law School and Professor Kimberlé Crenshaw of Columbia Law School.”
As the very first college within the United Kingdom to create an academic student law review, its reputation has grown in tandem with its history. Indeed, Professor Waldron of New York University once remarked that, “the papers are crisp, well argued, and they don’t suffer from the tedium or the formulaic laboriousness of student ‘notes’ in American Law Reviews. Not only that, but they are persuasive and insightful, and they grapple fruitfully with difficult issues.”
Previous articles have related to environmental pollution, the breach of fundamental human rights, aspects of the financial systems regulatory structure or indeed pressing jurisprudential matters. In tackling such a wide range of topics, it aims to cast a piercing eye over issues of great interest and importance to a diverse range of readers.
Looking to the launch date, Ms Angelos highlights that, ‘though the journal is challenging work for all on the board, launching it in the coming months and building on an already strong reputation will prove to be the most satisfactory reward.’ For those interested in or studying Law, this event, it appears, is not to be missed.
