OUCLJ: Call for applications to join the Editorial Committee
The Oxford University Commonwealth Law Journal (OUCLJ) is pleased to announce its call for applications to join the OUCLJ Editorial Committee for the academic year 2026-27.
About the OUCLJ
The OUCLJ is the flagship journal of the Oxford postgraduate law community, edited and produced entirely by student editors. Founded in 2001, the Journal has now had 26 Editorial Committees and Boards. Notable former editors include (amongst many others) James Edelman (Justice of the High Court of Australia, Rachael Mulheron (Professor at QMUL and Honorary King’s Counsel), Jane McAdam (Scientia Professor at the UNSW), Dev Gangjee (University of Oxford) and Jordan English (University of Oxford). 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.
We intend to recruit two new Editors and around ten Associate Editors in this round of recruitment for the 2026/27 academic year.
Editors
Editors are mainly responsible for managing desk reviews of submissions and handling the peer review process. They assist the General Editor(s) in producing the Journal and in liaising with the publisher, and the Journal’s patrons.
For this round, we are particularly looking for an Editor specialising in public law (constitutional and administrative law) and/or criminal law, but we also welcome applications from other specialisms.
We equally welcome expressions of interest in digital content creation and/or managing book reviews as there will be an option to specialise in these tasks alongside usual editorial tasks.
Associate Editors
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 input in the direction an individual article or case note takes, working with the author to refine their writing and arguments. They also have a voice in major decisions concerning the administration and production of the Journal.
Application Criteria
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 (exceptions for Associate Editors are possible);
- Commitment to academic rigour and careful editorial work;
- Previous editorial experience (desirable, but not required);
- Familiarity with OSCOLA (desirable, but not required).
For Editors, we are additionally looking for the following:
- Strong organisational skills and good time management;
- Leadership skills and an interest in journal development (desirable).
Application Process
To apply to become an Associate Editor or an Editor, please send a short CV and a writing sample to ouclj@law.ox.ac.uk by 1700 GMT, 6 November 2026. In your covering email, please indicate whether you are applying for an Associate Editor and/or an Editor role, 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 OUCLJ Editorial Committee in the role(s) you are applying for. We may invite shortlisted applicants to an interview as part of the selection process for the Editors.
For more information about the Journal, please visit our page on the Faculty website. If you have any further questions, please contact us at ouclj@law.ox.ac.uk.
We look forward to hearing from many of you.
Editorial Board
Oxford University Commonwealth Law Journal