Complaints & Appeals

The CLRS Journal of Global Justice & Governance (ISSN: 3049-1940) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, fairness, and transparency in its editorial processes, consistent with our mission to advance legal scholarship in global justice and global governance. We recognize that concerns or disputes may arise regarding editorial decisions, publication ethics, or other journal-related matters. This Complaints & Appeals Policy outlines the procedures for addressing such issues in a timely, equitable, and accountable manner, in accordance with the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines.

1. Scope of Complaints and Appeals

This policy covers two main categories:

  • Appeals: Requests from authors to reconsider editorial decisions, such as the rejection of a manuscript or requests for significant revisions.
  • Complaints: Concerns raised by authors, readers, reviewers, or other stakeholders about the journal’s processes, ethical conduct, or published content (e.g., suspected misconduct, editorial bias, or procedural errors).

2. Submission Process

  • How to Submit: All complaints and appeals must be submitted in writing via email to editor.jgjg@academyclrs.org.
  • Required Information: Please include:
    • Your name, affiliation, and contact details.
    • A clear description of the complaint or appeal, including the manuscript title or article DOI (if applicable).
    • Supporting evidence or documentation (e.g., correspondence, reviewer comments).
    • The desired resolution or outcome (if applicable).
  • Confidentiality: Submissions will be treated with confidentiality, accessible only to those directly involved in the resolution process.

3. Appeals Process

Appeals against editorial decisions will be handled as follows:

  1. Initial Review: The Managing Editor will acknowledge receipt of the appeal within 5 business days and assess whether it falls within the journal’s scope and policies.
  2. Evaluation: The appeal will be reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief, in consultation with the original handling editor and, if necessary, additional Editorial Board members or external reviewers. This review will consider:
    • The original submission and peer review reports.
    • The editorial decision and rationale.
    • New evidence or arguments provided by the author.
  3. Decision: A final decision will be communicated to the author within 20 business days of receipt, unless additional investigation is required. The outcome may include upholding the original decision, requesting further revisions, or reversing the decision.
  4. Finality: The Editor-in-Chief’s decision on appeals is final, reflecting the journal’s commitment to consistent and fair governance.

4. Complaints Process

Complaints regarding ethical issues, editorial conduct, or published content will be addressed as follows:

  1. Acknowledgment: The Managing Editor will confirm receipt within 5 business days and determine the appropriate course of action.
  2. Investigation:
    • For editorial process complaints (e.g., delays, bias), the Editorial Board will review internal records and correspondence.
    • For ethical concerns (e.g., plagiarism, authorship disputes), the matter will be investigated in accordance with our Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement and Retractions & Corrections policies, potentially involving external experts or institutions.
  3. Resolution: A response will be provided within 20 business days, detailing findings and any actions taken (e.g., corrections, retractions, or process improvements). Complex cases may require additional time, with the complainant informed of progress.
  4. Escalation: If the complainant is dissatisfied with the outcome, they may escalate the matter to the Publisher (Centre for Legal Research and Studies) by emailing publisher@academyclrs.org. The Publisher will conduct an independent review and issue a final resolution.

5. Principles

  • Fairness: All parties will be given an opportunity to present their case, reflecting the journal’s dedication to global justice.
  • Transparency: Outcomes will be documented and communicated clearly, with published notices (e.g., retractions) if applicable.
  • Timeliness: We aim to resolve issues promptly to uphold trust in our governance processes.
  • Accountability: Decisions will align with COPE guidelines and the journal’s ethical standards.

6. Contact

For complaints or appeals, please email:
Email: editor.jgjg@academyclrs.org
Subject Line: “Complaint: [Brief Description]” or “Appeal: [Manuscript Title/DOI]”

For further escalation to the Publisher:
Email: publisher@academyclrs.org
Address: Centre for Legal Research and Studies, c/o Gyan Prakash Kesharwani, Maihar, Madhya Pradesh

7. Additional Resources