Writing Rules

The Modern Journal of Legal Studies (MJLS), issued by Modern University College, applies a set of international standards that authors must follow when submitting research for publication. These rules ensure academic professionalism, strengthen the quality of the work, and present it in line with evolving scientific publishing practices.

Formatting Requirements

  • Font and Size:
    • Main Title: Simplified Arabic, size 14, bold.
    • First Subheading: Simplified Arabic, size 14, bold.
    • Second Subheading: Simplified Arabic, size 14, bold.
    • Main Text (Arabic): Simplified Arabic, size 14, regular.
    • Main Text (English): Times New Roman, size 12, regular.
    • Conclusion: Simplified Arabic, size 14, regular. Must include results, recommendations, or proposals (not a summary).
    • Footnotes (Arabic): Simplified Arabic, size 12.
    • Footnotes (English): Times New Roman, size 10.
  • Spacing: 1.15 between lines.
  • Length: Minimum 18 pages, maximum 30 pages.
  • Front Page: Title in Arabic and English, followed by full names of all authors, institutional affiliation, country, and email address.
  • Abstract: In both Arabic and English, max 300 words, followed by up to 7 keywords.
  • Introduction: Must include topic, research problem, objectives, methodology, and structure (preferably two chapters).
  • Footnotes: Inserted automatically and sequentially across pages.

Citation Rules

  1. Books
  • Single Author: Author’s name, Title of Book, edition (if not first), publisher, place, year (or "N.D" if unavailable), page.
  • Two Authors: Names of both authors, with the same format as a Single Author.
  • Three Authors: All names listed, with the same format as for the above cases.
  • Four or More Authors: First author + "et al." (or "وآخرون"), with the same format as for the above cases
  • Translated Book: Author’s name, Title, "trans." Translator’s Name, publication data, page.
  • Repeated citation on a different page: author’s name, ibid, page.
  • Repeated citation on the same page: ibid, page. If the same author has multiple works cited in your article, add: Author’s name, title, ibid, page.

English Books:

  • One author: Author’s name, Book Title, edition (if not first), publisher, place, year (or "N.D" if unavailable), page.
  • More than one author: Author’s name, Book Title, edition (if available), publisher, place, year (or "N.D" if unavailable), page.
  • Repeated citation on a different page: Author, ibid, Page.
  • Repeated citation on the same page: ibid, page. If the same author has multiple works cited in your article, add: Author’s name, title, ibid, page.
  1. Theses and Dissertations
  • Author’s full name, Title of Thesis, “unpublished” or “published”, department, university, location, year, page(s).
  1. Journals
  • Author’s name, “Title of Article”, Journal Name, place, volume, issue, date, page.
  1. Electronic References
  • Full info: Author’s name, “Title”, site owner, date, full URL, access date.
  • Partial info: Available details + full URL + access date.
  1. Conference Proceedings
  • Name of speaker, “Title of presentation”, Conference name, venue, date.

 Order of References and Sources

  • Sources: The Holy Qur’an, Books of Hadith , legal texts, treaties, international agreements.
  • References: Arabic then foreign books, theses, journals, conference proceedings, websites.
  • Format: Author’s name, Title, publication details (no page numbers).
  • Example: أحمد أبو الوفا، المعاهدات الدولية في الشريعة الإسلامية، دار النهضة العربية، القاهرة، 1990.
  • Order: Alphabetical.

Tables and Figures

  • Sequential numbering as they appear.
  • Each must have its own title and be referenced in order.

Additional Policies

  • Authors are given up to 14 days to make revisions; exceeding this may result in rejection.
  • Withdrawal of accepted papers is not permitted.
  • The editorial board may make linguistic or formatting edits without altering the substance.
  • Authors receive electronic access to their published papers once issued.
  • The journal publishes biannually: January and June.