Access to Justice in Eastern Europe (AJEE) publishes a variety of scholarly contributions that engage with the theory and practice of justice systems, civil procedure, judicial reform, and legal cooperation across national and international contexts. We welcome original research articles, case studies, reviews, commentaries, and other scholarly formats that contribute to the advancement of legal knowledge and practice.

Submissions are especially encouraged on topics including, but not limited to: access to justice and judicial efficiency, enforcement of foreign judgments, service of documents and taking of evidence abroad, cross-border procedural cooperation, jurisdiction and lis pendens, digitalisation of justice, procedural safeguards, and comparative developments in civil and administrative justice. 
We particularly value contributions grounded in national experience, empirical research, or critical doctrinal analysis that reflect broader trends in legal development and reform.

While our particular focus is on the development of justice systems in Eastern Europe, especially in the context of EU integration, institutional reform, and the experience of EU candidate states, we also actively welcome submissions from Central Asia, including countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and other, where shared legal traditions and the legacy of the Soviet legal system continue to shape procedural doctrine and judicial practice. These contributions offer valuable comparative insights into how different jurisdictions are addressing common challenges in access to justice, legal reform, and procedural development in post-Soviet and transitional contexts.
We are particularly interested in scholarly contributions addressing the challenges and experiences of transitional justice in post-conflict and post-authoritarian societies. This includes research on legal responses to mass human rights violations, institutional reform, truth-seeking mechanisms, reparations, and guarantees of non-recurrence. We welcome both theoretical and practice-oriented submissions that explore how justice systems confront the legacy of violence or repression, rebuild trust in the rule of law, and contribute to sustainable peace. Comparative and region-specific studies, especially from Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and other regions undergoing transformation, are strongly encouraged.

Types of publication

We are open to submission of such types of publications:  Research Article, Case Study, Reform Forum's Article, Review Article, Opinion Article, Book Reviews, Commentaries
Research Article

Length: Typically ranging from 6,000 to 9,000 words. 

Structure: Research articles generally follow a structured format, including 

1. an abstract (background, methods, results and conclusions),
2. introduction,
3. methodology (which may focus on legal research methods), 
4. results and discussion with analysis of legal issues, discussion of relevant case law or statutes, and 
5. a conclusion. 
   

The methodology section should outline the legal research approach and any empirical or doctrinal methods employed. Research article should consist of a section with a detailed description of the comprehensive methodology that effectively supports the aim of the research. Here is a detailed description of the key elements:

Aim and Research Questions: The article should begin by clearly defining its aim, accompanied by research questions. These research questions should be justified by providing background information on the topic, highlighting the gaps or highly relevant existing issues that the research aims to address.

Source Analysis: The article must employ a rigorous approach to analyze various sources. The authors should provide a detailed explanation of why and what sources were selected for the study, including articles, court decisions, and other relevant materials. They should identify and discuss the relevant conclusions from previous publications that contribute to the research. Additionally, special attention should be given to the analysis of case-law, reports, and project outcomes, explaining their selection and significance for the study.

National and International Legislation: The article should include a clear listing of relevant national legislation without extensive quotations. The authors should demonstrate a strong connection between the legislation and their research findings, drawing meaningful conclusions and making recommendations. Similarly, international legislation and standards should be appropriately incorporated into the analysis, enriching the discussion and strengthening the article's validity.

Survey and/or Interviews: If applicable, the article should justify and fully describe any surveys or interviews conducted as part of the research methodology. The authors must explain the rationale for using these methods and provide a clear description of the survey questions or interview protocols. It is important for the authors to be able to demonstrate the results of the survey or interviews upon the editors' request, ensuring transparency and supporting the validity of the findings.

Integration with Conclusions and Recommendations: The article should ensure a clear and seamless connection between the methodology and the author's conclusions and recommendations. The authors should demonstrate how the methodology supports their overall findings and how each source contributes to shaping their conclusions. This integration should enhance the credibility and relevance of the article.
Sources should be varied, relevant, and up-to-date, including scholarly literature, legislation, case law, international instruments, and official reports where appropriate. Authors are expected to engage critically with the existing body of knowledge and demonstrate the originality and relevance of their contribution within the broader academic and legal context. Research articles should include a comprehensive list of relevant legal sources, such as primary legal materials (statutes, case law), secondary legal materials (legal commentary, scholarly articles), and other reputable legal sources. Proper citation and referencing should follow the preferred legal citation style of OSCOLA.

Other types of articles - Case Study and Reform Forum's Article

We especially welcome case studies from various national jurisdictions that explore high court decisions related to the enforcement of foreign judgments, issues of judicial cooperation, and core principles of national and cross-border civil and criminal procedure. Submissions examining the jurisdiction of courts, lis pendens, the service of documents, the taking of evidence abroad, and the practical implementation of international procedural instruments are particularly encouraged. 

We also invite contributions that reflect on the evolving fundamentals of civil procedure — including access to justice, fairness, timeliness, and legal certainty — as they are interpreted and developed within national systems. Such studies provide valuable insights into the diversity and convergence of procedural approaches and enhance comparative understanding in the context of legal reform and transnational cooperation.

Case Study

Length: typically 4,000–6,000 words

Structure: A case study is a structured, in-depth examination of a specific legal issue or case. It aims to explore the practical application, development, or implications of legal norms and decisions within a particular context. The objective is to offer critical insights, identify challenges or inconsistencies in practice, and contribute to scholarly and professional discourse on legal development and reform.

Sources: Legal case studies may focus on a single court decision, a series of related rulings, or a legal practice within a jurisdiction, and may employ methodologies such as doctrinal analysis, case law synthesis, comparative approaches, interviews, or empirical data collection.

Reform Forum Article

Length: Typically 4,000 to 5,000 words

Structure: A Reform Forum Note offers a concise and analytical commentary on contemporary legal reforms, draft laws, institutional practices, or significant policy shifts. These contributions are forward-looking and aim to critically assess the direction, scope, and implications of evolving legal frameworks.

Each note should begin with a short contextual overview, followed by a clear and focused analysis of the legal or regulatory development under review. Authors are expected to explore relevant challenges, examine the alignment with domestic and international legal standards, and conclude with reasoned observations or recommendations for improvement or implementation.

Sources: Reform Forum Notes must be based on sound legal methodology and supported by relevant legal authorities—such as legislation, policy documents, comparative frameworks, and scholarly literature. Appropriate citations are required to maintain academic credibility and facilitate further research.

Opinion Article
Length: Typically around 5,000 to 6,000 words. 

Structure: Opinion articles present the author's perspective or viewpoint on legal topics, debates, or policy issues. They often begin with an engaging introduction, articulate the opinion or argument clearly, provide legal analysis and reasoning, and conclude with a summary statement or recommendation of the author.

Sources: Opinion articles may rely on legal precedent, legal principles, legal theory, and relevant legal literature to support the author's opinion. While personal insights and experiences can be valuable, it is important to substantiate the arguments with legal sources and references.
Review Article
Length: Typically around 5,000 to 6,000 words. 

Structure: Review articles provide a comprehensive analysis and synthesis of existing legal research and literature on a specific legal topic. 

They often begin with an introduction to the topic, discuss key legal issues or debates, summarize and critique relevant legal scholarship and case law, and provide insights for further legal research or policy development. 

Sources: Review articles should draw upon a wide range of relevant legal sources, including primary legal materials (statutes, case law), secondary legal materials (legal commentary, scholarly articles), and other authoritative legal sources. Thorough citation and referencing in compliance with the preferred legal citation style OSCOLA is essential.

Commentaries

Length: Typically 4,000 to 6,000 words

Commentaries provide focused and critical reflections on current legal developments, legislative proposals, or pressing issues in judicial and procedural reform. They serve as a platform for timely academic and professional engagement with emerging trends, legal uncertainties, or areas of debate that warrant deeper examination.

This type of publication is intended to bridge scholarship and practice by offering informed opinions, interpretative insights, and potential directions for legal reform or policy development.
Structure:

1. Introduction: Briefly present the context or event prompting the commentary—such as a legislative change, policy development, or significant legal debate. Outline the objectives and relevance of your reflection.
2. Legal and Contextual Background: Provide necessary background information, including relevant legislation, jurisprudence, academic discourse, or policy frameworks that shape the issue under discussion.
3. Commentary and Position: Clearly articulate your own position or viewpoint. Support your interpretation with legal reasoning, evidence, and citations. Where applicable, suggest recommendations for legal reform, judicial practice, or further scholarly inquiry.
4. Conclusion: Summarize your key points and underscore the significance of the commentary for the legal field, policy development, or future case law.

Book Reviews

Length: Typically 4,000 to 5,000 words

Book Reviews in AJEE provide a critical and analytical evaluation of recently published legal books that are relevant to the journal’s scope, particularly those addressing issues of justice, legal reform, access to courts, procedural law, human rights, and comparative legal developments in Europe and beyond.

Structure:

1. Introduction: Briefly introduce the book: title, author(s)/editor(s), publication year, publisher, and relevance to the field. Include a few lines on the importance of the book’s subject matter.
2. Summary of Content: Provide a concise overview of the book’s structure and main arguments. This may include a chapter-by-chapter synopsis or a thematic grouping of topics.
3. Critical Analysis: Offer an in-depth evaluation of the book’s strengths, weaknesses, originality, and scholarly contribution. Discuss the methodology, use of sources, argumentation, and coherence.
4. Conclusion and Recommendation: Summarize the overall value of the book, identify its target audience, and suggest how it contributes to the academic or practical development of law.

Sources: While book reviews are primarily focused on the reviewed title, authors should refer to relevant legal literature—such as scholarly articles, legislation, case law, or policy documents—to provide context, contrast, and support for their analysis. Proper referencing and academic integrity must be observed throughout.

Submission requirements

All submissions to Access to Justice in Eastern Europe must be made exclusively through the Scholastica platform. We do not accept submissions via email or any other channels. Authors are required to follow the journal’s formatting, ethical, and anonymisation guidelines as outlined below. Only complete and properly formatted manuscripts will be considered for peer review by assigned editors.

Step-by-step submission procedure and requirements:

The Corresponding Author is responsible for managing the submission process, ensuring that the manuscript complies with all journal guidelines, and serving as the main point of contact with the editorial team throughout the review and publication process. They must also confirm that all listed co-authors have approved the final version of the manuscript and agree to its submission.

During submission, the corresponding author may suggest potential peer reviewers and may also identify individuals who should not be invited to review the manuscript due to potential conflicts of interest. Please ensure that there is no conflict of interest between the suggested reviewers and any of the authors. Reviewers should not be recent collaborators, institutional colleagues, or individuals with personal or financial connections to the authors. See more about peer review in AJEE

Author Information
In the author information section on Scholastica, please ensure that each author provides:

1. A valid ORCID iD (mandatory),
2. The official website of their affiliated institution, preferably linking directly to the author’s profile or department page.

See more here 

Template of the submission

Title

The title of the article, which should accurately reflect the content and focus of the research. 
Abstract

A concise summary of the article, highlighting the research question, methodology, main findings, and conclusions. The abstract allows readers to quickly grasp the essence of the article. The recommended length for the abstract is typically between 2000 and 2300 characters (approximately 300 to 350 words). 
The abstract must follow a structured format, consisting of three clearly defined paragraphs that correspond to the following components:
Background – This section provides a brief overview of the context and rationale for the research. It should clearly explain the legal problem or issue being addressed, its relevance, and why the study is necessary.
Methods – This paragraph outlines the methodological approach used in the study. It should succinctly describe the type of legal analysis conducted (e.g., comparative, doctrinal, empirical), as well as the sources and materials examined.
Results and Conclusions – The final section summarizes the main findings of the research and presents the key conclusions drawn by the author. It should also reflect the practical implications, policy recommendations, or contribution to legal scholarship.

Keywords

Relevant keywords or phrases that represent the main topics or themes covered in the article. These keywords aid in search engine optimization and help readers find the article through search queries.
Manuscript Format 

The requirements to the text:

• the English language;
• the size and the structure;
• the footnotes and references arrangement.

The manuscript should consist of the following:

• title and name of the author, his/her position and affiliation, state;
• summary, abstract (300-350 words) and keywords (6-7);
• main body, including such parts as the research methodology, the complete arguments and author`s conclusions;
• references, according to the requirements.

Translations 

By default, all the translations in an article are made by the author who is responsible for its content. If the content of the article was translated with the participation of third parties, the authors are responsible for that and include the following statement in acknowledgment: “The authors gratefully acknowledge the assistance of [name/organization] in translating parts of this article. The authors take full responsibility for the final content”. 

For authors who are native Ukrainian speakers, AJEE offers the option to publish a Ukrainian-language version of the article alongside the English version. This ensures wider accessibility and engagement with local academic and professional communities.
The title, authors’ name(s), abstract and keywords of each article, accepted to publishing should be available in Ukrainian language. In case, Ukrainian language is not native language of the authors, the editorial office will help with the translation and editing of these parts into Ukrainian.

For authors who are native speakers of Polish, Kazakh or Arabic, the editorial office may provide a translated abstract in the author’s native language, and, where appropriate, may also publish a full version of the article in the original language alongside the English version. Language editing and translation are carried out in collaboration with trusted partners of Academic Insights Press (AIP), the official publisher of AJEE. This initiative supports broader regional accessibility and engagement.

Authors and Co-Authors
For successful communication with the AJEE, provide us your institutional email or ORCID ID. Otherwise, we reserve the right to refrain from any communication.

The ORCID ID should consist of the publicly available information about author’s affiliation, main publications and other useful information. In cases where an author’s ORCID profile is empty or lacks sufficient information, the editorial team reserves the right to suspend the review process and contact the author to request additional details necessary for proper identification. If no response is received within one month, the manuscript will be subject to rejection.

All authors have significantly contributed to the particular research, submitted for publication and should confirm their responsibility for a whole manuscript or a particular section of the study.

List of authors should include all persons who contributed substantially to study planning, data collection or interpretation of results and wrote or critically revised the manuscript and approved its final version and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work (Ufnalska, 2020, EASE Guidelines). (ICMJE 2017 Ufnalska, 2020, EASE Guidelines). The authors listed first should be those who did most and (Battisti et al. 2015, see COPE flowcharts Ufnalska, 2020, EASE Guidelines).

The multi authorship is a crucial part of academic publishing. We support and highly recommend the CRediT – Contributor Roles Taxonomy representing the roles typically played by contributors to manuscripts and highly recommend it to our authors. Please, find more information here. Authors should define each contribution according to these recommendations.

We highly recommend that authors refrain from submitting multiple (more than one) manuscripts simultaneously, as this may significantly affect the efficiency and integrity of the editorial process.

Changes in Authorship

Any changes to the authorship (including additions, removals, or changes in the order of authors) are only permitted prior to the acceptance of the manuscript and must be agreed upon by all originally listed co-authors at the time of initial submission, as well as by any author who is being added or removed.The corresponding author is responsible for confirming that all co-authors approve the proposed change. Managing editors, on behalf of the journal, will contact all listed co-authors, as well as any author who is being added or removed, to verify their agreement.

After acceptance, changes in authorship are permitted only in exceptional cases and must be accompanied by a written, well-justified request explaining the reason for the change. Such requests will be reviewed by the editorial team and will result in a reconsideration of the publication decision.

Acknowledgements
Author(s) should mention all persons who contributed substantially to the study but cannot be regarded as co-authors, and acknowledge all sources of funding (Ufnalska, 2020, EASE Guidelines), for instance, using the following phrases: 

‘This work was prepared within the project performing [grant number xxxx]’. 

If relevant, disclose to the editors any other conflicts of interest, e.g. financial or personal links with the manufacturer or with an organization that has an interest in the submitted manuscript (Goozner et al. 2009, Ufnalska, 2020, EASE Guidelines).

If you were helped by a language professional (e.g. author’s editor or translator), a statistician, data collectors, etc., you should acknowledge their assistance for the sake of transparency (ICMJE 2017, Battisti et al. 2015 Ufnalska, 2020, EASE Guidelines). It must be clear that they are not responsible for the final version of the article. You need to ensure you have the consent of all the people named in this section. (Ufnalska, 2020, EASE Guidelines)
If relevant, disclose to the editors any other conflicts of interest, e.g. financial or personal links with the manufacturer or with an organization that has an interest in the submitted manuscript (Goozner et al. 2009, Ufnalska, 2020, EASE Guidelines). If you were helped by a language professional (e.g. author’s editor or translator), a statistician, data collectors, etc., you should acknowledge their assistance for the sake of transparency (ICMJE 2017, Battisti et al. 2015 Ufnalska, 2020, EASE Guidelines). It must be clear that they are not responsible for the final version of the article. You need to ensure you have the consent of all the people named in this section. (Ufnalska, 2020, EASE Guidelines)

Responsible Use of AI Tools in Publishing with AJEE

We do not object to authors utilizing AI tools in their research and writing process due to their potential benefits in terms of productivity and quality. However, it is crucial to maintain transparency and accountability in scholarly publishing. Therefore, we require authors to include a clear statement in their submissions that specifies the AI tools used, along with details on how and when they were employed, with certain restrictions:

“This article was prepared with the assistance of AI tools. Specifically, ChatGPT (OpenAI) was used for language refinement during the drafting process (version reviewed: March 2025). The authors confirm that all content, arguments, and conclusions were generated independently and remain their sole responsibility. No AI tool was used for generating original research findings or analysis.”

Authors should refrain from using AI tools for decision-making or drawing conclusions. The responsibility for critical analysis and interpretation rests solely with the authors.
To uphold ethical standards, authors must comply with this declaration and promptly inform the editor if AI tools were used in the manuscript. In cases of co-authorship, the corresponding author is responsible for ensuring that all co-authors adhere to this declaration.

If AI usage is discovered without proper notification, the article may be subject to retraction. In such cases, we are unable to reimburse any publication fees and retain the right to claim compensation for any damages incurred.

Authors affirm that the research and content presented in the manuscript are solely their own work.

By following these guidelines, authors can ensure the responsible and ethical use of AI tools in their submissions, maintaining the integrity of their research and fostering trust within the scholarly community.

Open Access Options for Publication

The publication of accepted articles in AJEE is supported by Academic Insights Press (AIP). We are committed to enabling equitable access to publication and actively support the transition to full Open Access. We display our APC transparently to demonstrate that publishing carries real costs, but also ensure that no author faces a financial barrier.

See more about AJEE Charges Policy here

APC Funding Statement (example):

‘The APC for this publication was [paid in full by the author / institution / covered by external funding / waived / discounted] in accordance with the policies of Access to Justice in Eastern Europe and its publisher, Academic Insights Press.’

‘The APC for this article was fully waived by the journal in support of open access and academic inclusion.’

‘The APC was covered by the author’s institution as part of a research support agreement.’

‘The authors received a partial APC discount as active contributors to AJEE’s peer review process.’

Research Misconduct. Plagiarism Prevention

Publication of the original and high-quality materials of authors for the world- wide scholar community is an important part of our work.
By research misconduct we assess the plagiarism, fabrication and falsification, as well as fraudulent research in all forms. We put our efforts to discover the above mentioned at all stages of the publishing process, and welcome in post publication. In the event that any research misconduct happens and is discovered within a proper investigation, it will lead to the retraction of the article with the necessary acknowledgement.

For the plagiarism prevention a fair and recognized definition what plagiarism means exists. We use both of the following documents for defining plagiarism with regard to the international publishing standards. Here you may find the ‘Legal guide for editors concerning ethics issues’ with particular recommendations about plagiarism detection, which we carried out work https://www.elsevier.com/editors/perk/legal-guide-for-editors

Duplicate publication
Redundant publication in the meaning of COPE, when two or more papers, without full cross reference, share the same hypothesis, data, discussion points, or conclusions, is strictly prohibited in AJEE. For avoiding redundant publication, duplicate submission for publication of a work, consisting of previously published part(s) or a whole text of work, is allowed, only if this may facilitate an academic discussion, which was made with the permission and acknowledgement of the original source. 

In the event, the duplicate publication is under consideration, the control of the permission for the publication lies on the Editor-in-Chief, who may request such a permission and check it, while addressing the publisher or editor of previous publication.

Submission and publication of materials, published originally in other sources, may be allowed due to the following reasons upon the well motivated decision of the EiC of AJEE: 

1) lack of an original publication in English, which is substantial in weight, important and recognized, in particular, historical essays, related to the particular research of legal issues with the original sources in Ukrainian, Old Slavic language; 
2) the value and meaning of the original publication for the particular area of legal science development, for instance, with the new definition or vision, which were later implemented in national or international levels, realized in strategies, legislation or soft law after publications.
The Editorial team is free to express their decision concerning the duplicate publication on well-motivated and reasonable grounds, which, as usual, appears in the Introduction to the issue, where the publication is placed. If any allegation of improper or incorrect duplicate publication is discovered, please, do not hesitate to contact the Editor-in-Chief editor@ajee-journal.com

Note

This updated version applies to all manuscripts submitted on or after 10 June 2025, as published on the journal’s official website.

AJEE Author Guidelines, adopted on November 5, 2021, amended on June 2, 2025 

Contributors: 

Iryna Izarova (Conceptualization, Methodology, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing), Yuliia Hartman (Writing – review & editing), Bohdana Zahrebelna (Writing – review & editing)