Quick Navigation
Welcome
Content Types
Submission Process
Formatting Guidelines
Citation Rules
Copyright & Policy

Authors' Guidelines

About Chokie Journal of Law

The Law School of Debre Markos University publishes the peer-reviewed Chokie Journal of Law, which appears annually every October. The Journal serves as a platform for publishing original scientific research across a wide spectrum of legal disciplines, including the history of legislation and state institutions, philosophy and sociology of law, and contemporary legal issues.

Publication Frequency: Authors are encouraged to submit their manuscripts well in advance of publication deadlines.

1. Content of the Journal

The Journal publishes the following types of contributions:

1.1 Feature Articles

Thorough, original, and high-quality academic analyses that meet the rigors of academic writing on any law or law-related topic. Each issue features at least three articles.

5000-12000 words
1.2 Case Comments

Critical commentaries on relevant cases decided by domestic and international courts, tribunals, and quasi-judicial bodies.

1000-4000 words
1.3 Legislative Reviews

Analysis of new or revised legislation in Ethiopia or comparative analysis of related laws, highlighting salient features.

1000-3000 words
1.4 Book Reviews

Summaries and critiques of books on Ethiopian laws or other legal topics, providing evaluation and contextual analysis.

1000-3000 words
1.5 Reflections/Notes

Personal thoughts and insights on pressing legal issues aimed at stimulating discussion and debate within the legal community.

2000-4000 words
1.6 Review Articles

Comprehensive summaries of current understanding on specific topics, surveying existing scholarly research and providing overviews of current thinking.

5000-10000 words
1.7 Letters to the Editor

Written submissions commenting on articles published in previous issues of the journal, providing constructive feedback and discussion.

1000-2000 words

2. Language of Publication

  • Contributions can appear in the Journal in Amharic or English language
  • Contributions in Amharic language shall have an English Abstract
  • All contributions shall be published in the language their author has originally authored them in
  • All submissions must use the "Template for Chokie JoL"

5. Process of Submission

  • Contributions may be submitted as an attached MS Word document to the Editor-in-Chief via email: chokiejol@dmu.edu.et
  • Authors should submit a separate cover letter using the "Cover Letter for Chokie JoL" format
  • All contributions must be unpublished original works of the author

7. Content and Presentation Style

Structure for Feature Articles, Review Articles, and Notes/Reflections:
i
Title

16 pt, bold, uppercase, centered. Capitalize all words. Do not begin with articles or prepositions.

ii
Author's Name

12 pt bold, left justified immediately following the title.

iii
Abstract

Maximum 300 words, single paragraph. Summary of objectives, methodology, results, and implications. Written in simple past tense, third person.

iv
Keywords

3-5 pertinent keywords separated by semicolons.

v
Introduction

Adequate background, problem definition, literature review, controversies, and statement of aim.

Page Setup and Fonts
Style Name Description
Article Title 16 pt, bold, uppercase, center
Author Names 12 pt, bold
Footnotes and Author Affiliations 10 pt
Abstract 12 pt
Keywords 12 pt
Heading 1 16 pt, bold
Heading 2 14 pt, bold
Heading 3 13 pt, bold
Heading 4 12 pt, bold
Body Text 12 pt
Margins: Top, bottom, left, and right margins should be 1 inch. Use Times New Roman font throughout the manuscript.

9. Citation Rules (OSCOLA Customized)

Citation Style: Chokie Journal of Law follows footnote citation style based on a customized version of OSCOLA 4th Edition, 2012.
Primary Sources Examples:
Legislation:
Federal Courts Proclamation, Proclamation No. 25/1996, Art 3.
Cases:
Azeb Tamiru v Dejene Zewde [2009] Ethiopian Federal Supreme Court Cassation Bench 104621, [2010] 21 Decisions of Ethiopian Federal Supreme Court Cassation Bench 47.
International Treaties:
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, (adopted 16 December 1966, entered into force 23 March 1976), ICCPR, Art. 10.
Secondary Sources Examples:
Books:
Assefa Fiseha, Federalism and the Accommodation of Diversity in Ethiopia: A Comparative Study (2nd edn Wolf Legal Publishers, Nijmegen 2007) 235.
Articles:
Minasse Haile, 'The New Ethiopian Constitution: Its Impact upon Unity, Human Rights and Development' [1996] 20 Suffolk Transnat'l L. Rev 1, 6.
Full OSCOLA Guide: The complete OSCOLA 4th Edition can be accessed at:
https://www.law.ox.ac.uk/sites/files/oxlaw/oscola_4th_edn_hart_2012.pdf

Ready to Submit?

Download our templates and ensure your manuscript meets all formatting requirements before submission.

Manuscript Template Cover Letter Template Submit Manuscript