Submissions

Author Guidelines

1) Scope and Article Types

Punggawa Law Journal publishes scholarly legal manuscripts, including (but not limited to) criminal law, civil law, constitutional law, administrative law, business law, international law, human rights, jurisprudence/legal theory, and judgment/policy analysis. Submissions may take the form of:

• Research Articles (normative/doctrinal or empirical research)

• Conceptual/Doctrinal Articles (doctrinal argumentation, conceptual analysis, interpretation of legal norms, theoretical development)

• Case/Policy Analyses (analysis of court decisions, policy instruments, or legal reform)

2) Language

Manuscripts may be written in Indonesian or English.

3) Length and Page Setup

• Maximum length: 20 pages (A4).

• Paper size: A4

• Margins: Normal 2.54 cm (top/bottom/left/right)

• Use the PLR template and do not manually change margins, font sizes, or spacing settings.

4) File Type and Submission

• Submit the manuscript in MS Word (.doc/.docx) using the template.

• Use a reference manager if possible (Mendeley/Zotero/EndNote) to maintain citation consistency.

5) Manuscript Structure

A. Title

• The title must be concise and accurately reflect the article content.

• Format: Left-aligned, bold, sentence case, 14 pt.

B. Authors and Affiliations

• Author names: 11 pt

• Affiliations: 9 pt (use numbering 1, 2, 3 according to author order)

• Include corresponding author email.

C. Article Info and Abstract

Follow the “Article Info” block in the template:

• Article history: Received / Revised / Accepted (to be completed during editorial processing).

• ABSTRACT heading: 10 pt.

Abstract requirements:

• 100–200 words

• Informative and self-explanatory: include the problem, approach/solution, and main findings

• Written in past tense

• Avoid abbreviations (unless widely standard) and do not include citations

D. Keywords

• Minimum 5 and maximum 6 keywords.

• Format: separated by semicolons (;), left-aligned.

E. INTRODUCTION

• Heading: INTRODUCTION (ALL CAPS, bold, Times New Roman 11 pt).

• Minimum content:

  1. research background,

  2. objectives,

  3. contribution/benefits,

  4. brief prior studies + explicit novelty/originality (preferably supported by journal references from the last 10 years).
     Important rules:

• Do not split the Introduction into sub-sections such as “background/problem/objectives.”

• Start paragraphs using one tab indent.

• Use consistent in-text citations (bodynote style) aligned with the reference list.

F. RESEARCH METHODS

Clearly describe:

• type of research

• population/scope (or object of analysis for normative research)

• sample/participants (for empirical studies)

• data analysis technique(s)
  Multilevel numbering may be used where necessary.

G. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

This section must present results and scholarly discussion with these standards:

• Findings must be supported by adequate data

• Present processed/analysed data, not raw data

• Discussion must connect results to concepts/hypotheses and compare with prior studies

• Explain: (1) what/how, (2) why, (3) what else (confirmation or contradiction with earlier research)
  Formatting rules:

• Avoid bullet points; if listing is necessary, keep it in descriptive paragraphs.
  Style rules:

• Foreign terms should be italicized

• Table/figure numbering must be continuous, and every table/figure must have a title

H. Tables

Table requirements:

• Table position: center

• Font: Times New Roman 8–11

• Avoid internal horizontal lines; use only header line and final line

• No vertical lines

• Create tables using Insert Table (not as images)

• Refer to tables in the text as “Table 1 …” (capital T)
  If a table continues on the next page:

• Repeat the header row, keep the same table number, and use Continuation in the title; table titles do not end with a period.

I. Figures / Pictures

Figure requirements:

• Use continuous numbering and captions: “Picture 1 …”

• Place the caption below the figure

• Use professional-quality visuals; no unnecessary frames

• Black-and-white images are recommended where appropriate

J. CONCLUSION

• Write a brief, clear, and focused conclusion.

• Avoid dividing the conclusion into multiple parts/sections.

K. REFERENCES

• Reference style: APA 7th Edition

• Minimum 15 references

• At least 80% should be primary sources (especially journal articles)

• Prefer references from the last 10 years

• Do not split references into categories; keep a single consolidated list

6) Citation Policy (In-text)

• Use consistent in-text citations aligned with APA 7.

• Every in-text citation must appear in the reference list, and every reference list entry must be cited in the text.

• Using a reference manager is strongly recommended to avoid inconsistencies.

7) Publication Ethics and Originality

Authors must ensure that:

• The manuscript is original and not under review elsewhere.

• The manuscript is free from plagiarism and does not involve citation manipulation.

• All individuals with substantial contributions are properly listed as authors, and any competing interests are disclosed.