Editorial Submission Guidelines

At The First Brief, we welcome insightful, original contributions from members of the legal community. Whether you are a law student, judicial aspirant, intern, Advocate, or legal professional, we believe meaningful legal writing contributes to informed discussions and a stronger legal fraternity. 

These Editorial Submission Guidelines govern all submissions made to The First Brief, including guest articles, opinion pieces, case comments, book reviews, interviews, and entries submitted pursuant to any special editorial initiative or writing competition, unless otherwise specified. 

By submitting your work, you acknowledge that you have read and agreed to these guidelines.

Eligibility

Submissions are invited from: 

• Law Students (3-Year & 5-Year Courses)  

• LL.M. Students  

• Judicial Service Aspirants  

• Law Interns  

• Advocates  

• Legal Professionals  

Where a particular editorial initiative, competition, or special publication prescribes separate eligibility requirements, such requirements shall prevail for that initiative.

Submission Criteria

All submissions must: 

• Be original and unpublished.  

• Not be under consideration by another publication at the time of submission.  

• Be written in clear and professional English.  

• Present accurate legal analysis supported by reliable authorities wherever necessary.  

• Contribute meaningfully to legal knowledge, professional development, or public legal awareness.  

The First Brief encourages practical legal writing that is informative, accessible, and relevant to its readers.

Word Limit

Unless otherwise specified: 

• Editorial Articles: 800–1,500 words  

• Opinion Pieces: 800–1,200 words  

• Case Comments: 1,000–2,000 words  

• Book Reviews: 800–1,200 words  

Special editorial initiatives, competitions, or thematic editions may prescribe different word limits.

Formatting Requirements

Authors are requested to adhere to the following formatting standards: 

• Font: Times New Roman  

• Font Size: 12  

• Line Spacing: 1.5  

• Alignment: Justified  

• File Format: Microsoft Word (.doc/.docx) preferred. PDF accepted where necessary.  

• Appropriate headings and sub-headings should be used for readability.  

Submissions containing excessive formatting, images, or promotional material may be returned for revision.

Citation Policy

Authors are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of all legal authorities cited. 

Where citations are used: 

• Primary legal sources should be preferred.  

• Case citations, statutory references, and secondary authorities should be cited consistently.  

• Hyperlinks may be included where appropriate for publicly accessible sources.  

The First Brief does not mandate a specific citation style but expects consistency and professional accuracy throughout the submission.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Assistance Policy

The First Brief recognizes that artificial intelligence tools may assist authors during the writing process. 

Accordingly: 

• AI may be used as research or drafting aid.  

• Authors remain solely responsible for the originality, legal accuracy, factual correctness, and integrity of the final submission.  

• AI-generated content must be reviewed, verified, and substantially edited by the author before submission.  

• Submission of unedited or predominantly AI-generated content may result in rejection.  

The responsibility for every statement contained in a submission rest entirely with the author.

Originality & Plagiarism Policy

The First Brief maintains a strict policy against plagiarism. 

Accordingly: 

• All submissions must be the author’s original work.  

• Proper attribution shall be provided wherever another author’s ideas or words are relied upon.  

• Plagiarism, including self-plagiarism and unattributed AI-generated content, may result in immediate rejection.  

• Where plagiarism is discovered after publication, The First Brief reserves the right to remove the publication and issue an editorial notice if considered necessary.  

Editorial Review Process

Every submission undergoes an editorial review before publication. 

During this process, submissions may be evaluated for: 

• Originality  

• Legal accuracy  

• Practical relevance  

• Clarity of expression  

• Structure and readability  

• Compliance with these Guidelines  

The editorial team may accept, reject, or request revisions before publication. 

Submission does not guarantee publication.

Editorial Rights

The First Brief reserves the right to: 

• Edit grammar, punctuation, formatting, and language.  

• Modify titles or headings where appropriate.  

• Request revisions from the author.  

• Decline publication without assigning reasons.  

• Determine the date and manner of publication.  

Editorial changes shall not alter the substance or intended meaning of the author’s work without consultation where such changes are material.

Evaluation Standards

Where submissions are considered for publication, editorial initiatives, or competitions, they may be evaluated on the basis of: 

• Originality of Thought  

• Legal Accuracy  

• Practical Value  

• Quality of Research  

• Clarity and Structure  

• Readability  

• Relevance to the Theme (where applicable)  

The editorial team’s decision will be final.

Competitions & Special Editorial Initiatives

The First Brief may, from time to time, organize article writing competitions, thematic calls for papers, or other editorial initiatives. 

Such initiatives may prescribe separate rules relating to: 

• Theme  

• Eligibility  

• Word Limit  

• Submission Deadline  

• Evaluation Criteria  

• Awards or Recognition  

Unless expressly stated otherwise, these Editorial Submission Guidelines shall continue to apply to all such initiatives.

Copyright & Publication Rights

Copyright in the submitted work shall remain with the author. 

However, by submitting a manuscript, the author grants The First Brief a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to: 

• Edit the submission for publication.  

• Publish the work on its website or affiliated platforms.  

• Promote the publication through its official social media channels and newsletters.  

• Archive the work as part of its editorial collection.  

Where an author subsequently republishes the work elsewhere, acknowledgment of its first publication by The First Brief is appreciated.

Confidentiality

The First Brief respects the confidentiality of submissions. 

Unpublished manuscripts shall not be intentionally disclosed or distributed outside the editorial review process, except where required by law or with the author’s consent.

Disqualification

Without prejudice to any other action, The First Brief reserves the right to reject or disqualify any submission that: 

• Contains plagiarism.  

• Misrepresents authorship.  

• Contains fabricated or misleading legal authorities.  

• Violates applicable law.  

• Is defamatory, offensive, or discriminatory.  

• Fails to comply with these Guidelines.  

• Breaches any additional rules applicable to a competition or editorial initiative. 

Disclaimer

The opinions expressed in published submissions are solely those of the respective authors. 

Publication by The First Brief does not constitute endorsement of the views expressed. 

The information published is intended for educational and informational purposes and should not be construed as legal advice.

How to Submit

Please email your submission to:  editorial@thefirstbrief.in 

Subject Line: Editorial Submission – [Title of Your Article] 

Please include the following in the body of the email: 

• Full Name  

• Professional Designation / Affiliation  

• Institution / Organization (if applicable)  

• LinkedIn Profile (Optional)  

• A brief author bio (2–3 lines)  

Attach your manuscript in Microsoft Word (.doc/.docx) format. PDF submissions may also be accepted where appropriate.