OUCLJ: Call for applications to join the Editorial Board
The Oxford University Commonwealth Law Journal (OUCLJ) is pleased to announce its call for applications to join the Editorial Board for the academic year 2026-27.
The OUCLJ is led by the Editorial Board, consisting of the General Editor and up to four Editors. Editors are mainly responsible for carrying out desk reviews of submissions and handling the peer review process. They also assist the General Editor in producing the Journal and in liaising with the publisher, and the Journal’s patrons.
We intend to recruit two or three new Editors in this round, with the intention for one of them to take over the role of General Editor when the current General Editor steps down later in the year. More Editor positions will be opened this autumn. If you also wish to be considered in the autumn round, please indicate so in your application.
We are looking for candidates against the following criteria:
- Postgraduate law students at Oxford in a Law or Law-related degree in the academic year 2026–27;
- Physical residence in Oxford throughout the academic year;
- Strong organisational skills and good time management;
- Commitment to academic rigour and careful editorial work;
- Previous editorial experience (desirable but not required);
- Leadership skills and an interest in journal development (desirable).
Associate Editors are responsible for assisting the Editors in carrying out desk reviews and suggesting peer reviewers. They are also responsible for post peer-review editing to ensure that accepted submissions are in accordance with the OUCLJ style guide and ready for publication. Together with the responsible Editor, they have substantial input in the direction an individual article or case note takes, working with the author to refine their writing and arguments. As members of the Editorial Committee, they also participate in making major decisions concerning the administration and production of the Journal. Please note that we will not be recruiting new Associate Editors in this round. If you are interested, please stay tuned for the autumn call for applications.
Application Process
To apply to become an Editor, please send a short CV and a writing sample to ouclj@law.ox.ac.uk by 1700 BST, 12 June 2026. In your covering email, please state your current degree and main area(s) of interest in law, and briefly explain why you want to work for, and will be an asset to, the Editorial Board. Please also indicate whether you would like to be considered for the role of General Editor. Depending on the number of applications received, we may invite you to a short interview as part of the selection process.
About the OUCLJ
The OUCLJ is the flagship journal of the Oxford postgraduate law community, edited and produced entirely by student Editors and Associate Editors. Founded in 2001, the Journal has now had 26 Editorial Committees and Boards, with notable former editors such as James Edelman (Justice of the High Court of Australia, Rachael Mulheron (Professor at QMUL and Honorary King’s Counsel), and Jane McAdam (Scientia Professor at the UNSW). The Journal also enjoys the support of patrons from across the Commonwealth, including Lady Justice Sophia Akuffo (Ghana), the Hon Edwin Cameron (South Africa), the Rt Hon Baroness Hale of Richmond (UK), the Hon Sujata Vasant Manohar (India), the Hon Mr Justice Roberto Ribeiro PJ (Hong Kong), and the Hon Robert Sharpe (Canada).
Today, the OUCLJ endeavours to foster international academic debate on a wide range of legal topics of interest throughout the Commonwealth. Over the years, we have published high-quality, peer-reviewed articles and case notes from academics, legal practitioners, and judges on various private and public law topics.
For more information about the Journal, please visit our page on the Faculty and publisher website. If you have any further questions, please contact us at ouclj@law.ox.ac.uk