AN OPEN CALL FOR PAPERS

Now Available Free Online

The editors of the Constitutional Court Review (‘CCR’) have issued an open call for lead essays, articles and case comments for Constitutional Court Review IX.  Academics, jurists and practitioners, with interest in writing on the work of South Africa’s Constitutional Court, should contact the following CCR editors with abstracts: Stu Woolman (Stuart.Woolman@wits.ac.za) & Michael Bishop (mjbishop@outlook.com).

The Constitutional Court Review, an accredited, peer-reviewed, international journal of record that tracks the work of South Africa’s highest court, offers its authors an opportunity to reflect on recent case law in order to assess more general, long-term trends in the Constitutional Court’s jurisprudence.  The Academy of Science of South Africa and the Department of Higher Education and Training each recently recognised the Constitutional Court Review as a truly remarkable publication. They noted the high calibre of writing, the global sweep of institutions represented, its demographic diversity and the clear commitment to the development of aspirant academics. A number of highly rated National Research Foundation academics serve as editors on an impressive editorial committee.  A complete list of the contributors lies beyond the scope of this letter. But you can view them and their work, as well as the members of an august editorial board, at www.constitutionalcourtreview.co.za.

While CCR IX may emphasize two years of decisions from 2015 through 2017, the articles themselves are not and will not be cabined by the calendar. Cases are but departure points for understanding and illuminating the Constitutional Court’s jurisprudence.  Long essays run up to and from 80 or more pages; thematic articles that run up to and from 40 pages. Case comments are often 20 pages or more.  We also like to place articles in conversation with one another.  Lead essays, articles and comments may have replies.  We may hold symposia on particular topics that the Court has been particularly engage by of late. However, we never tell our authors about what they should write.

In addition to publishing first rate work, the Constitutional Court Review holds an annual day and half to two day Conference/Workshop for the authors and the editors.  The authors submit a rough draft ahead of the conference for all authors and editors to read (on a dedicated website).  We consider the constructive feedback that authors receive from other authors and editors to be best practice and a critical part of the writing and the editorial process.  The Constitutional Court Review IX Conference is currently scheduled for the end of July 2018 or early August 2018.  To be clear, attendance is desirable, but not mandatory. The CCR attends to most domestic costs – hotel, meals and travel to Johannesburg and conference events.

The CCR team looks forward to hearing from you!