"For too long, lawyers have adopted a head-in-the-sand approach to modern scientific developments that can radically alter the social structures upon which law is built, as well as altering the specific law itself.
"
R.A Brown "Editorial" (1981) JLIS 1.1 .
Originally published in 1981 under the title "Journal of Law and Information Science", JLIS was one of the first journals to provide a forum for the consideration of problems generated in the legal sphere by computers and information systems. Its original mandate was to "expand understanding of the law in its relationship to modern technology".
In 2005 the title of the Journal was modified to its current form to reflect the maturity of information technology and its increasing integration into and overlap with the sciences. The expanded remit also reflected the orinating founder's intent that the JLIS be dedicated to the discussion of legal issues relating to emerging science and technology (as information science once was).
Publication Frequency
The JLIS publishes all articles on its website once they have passed peer review and are copy edited. The Journal produces two general issues in print form per year. Print editions of the JLIS are distributed to most leading international law libraries.
Topic Areas
Examples of topics include articles on law and: artificial intelligence/expert systems; computers; intellectual property; genomics; nanotechnology; privacy; bioethics; electronic commerce. We also welcome articles describing the use of technologies for legal pracice or teaching. The Editorial Board would invite any articles, book reviews, conference papers etc. on these areas or anything else that may be relevant to law, information and science to be submitted for possible publication.
The Journal favours articles with an oceanic or international focus.
Peer Review
All articles are double-blind peer reviewed by leading academics in the field who are either part of our Editorial Board, or part of a broader academic network. As these academics are volunteers the JLIS requires prospective authors commit to exlusivity during the peer review period.
The JLIS applies a double-blind peer review process. Submitted works are vetted by the Chief Editor. Those approved are anonymised and reviewed by two leading academics; primarily from the Editorial Board, or, if board members do not have sufficient expertise, from a wider network of reviewers. Average response times for reviews are between three and six weeks. Rejection rates for 2004-2009 were over 80%. Introduction of pre-review vetting reduced rejection rates in 2008-2010 rejection rates to approximately 65% (approx 50% outright rejection and 15% required resubmissions subject to substantial changes).
The JLIS is proud to host an eminent international Editorial Board. The Chariman of the Editorial Board is Hon M D Kirby AC CMG, who has held the role since 1981. A full list of board members is provided below (select 'Editorial Board' bar below, or [click here to view]).
Academic Management & Institutional Host
The JLIS is operated by academics and scholars. Whilst the student - especially postgraduate - contributions are welcome, the Journal is not student run. This makes the JLIS one of the oldest and longest operating non-student run technology law journals in the world.
The current academic host of JLIS is the Faculty of Law, University of Tasmania in Hobart Australia. In the Northern Hemisphere, Wm W Gaunt & Sons Inc, in Florida, USA distribute the Journal. The JLIS is carried electronically by HeinOnline and InformIT. Back editions are freely available via AustLII/WorldLII.
The Hon M D Kirby AC CMG, Chairman
| Chief Editor : Dr Brendan Gogarty | Associate Editor : Professor Dianne Nicol |
Managing Editor: Mr Bruce Newey, LLB(Hons) LLM |
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Members
Professor E Akindemowo : Professor of Law Thomas Jefferson School of Law
Professor J Bing : Norwegian Research Centre for Computers & Law, University of Oslo
Hon Magistrate Dr Roger Alasdair Brown Local Court of New South Wales
Professor Herbert Burkert : Research Center for Information Law (FIR-HSG), University of St. Gallen
Professor K Bowrey : Faculty of Law, UNSW
Professor W van Caenegem Faculty of Law Bond University
Professor A Christie Intellectual Property Research Institute of Australia University of Melbourne
Professor G Cho Geographic Information Systems & the Law University of Canberra
Dr Chris DentIntellectual Property Research Institute of Australia, University of Melbourne.
Professor E Clark Griffith Business School
Associate Professor Melissa DeZwart University of Adelaide
Professor L Edwards University of Sheffield
Associate Professor J Forder Faculty of Law Bond University
Dr S Gibbons The Ethox Centre University of Oxford
Associate Professor Benjamin Goold Faculty of Law University of British Columbia
Professor G Greenleaf Faculty of Law University of NSW
Professor D Hunter New York Law School
Dr J Kaye Centre for Health, Law and Emerging Technologies, University of Oxford
Associate Professor A Kenyon Faculty of Law University of Melbourne
Professor G Laurie School of Law University of Edinburgh
Professor J Mattick Institute for Molecular Bioscience University of Queensland
Professor D Mendelson School of Law Deakin
Dr James Popple Australian Freedom of Information Commissioner; Adjunct Professor, Australian National University
Professor M Purvis University of Otago
Dr M Rimmer Faculty of Law Australian National University
Professor D Vaver St Peter's College University of Oxford
JLIS is hosted by University of Tasmania published on HeinOnline, InformIT and AustLII
