The singular mission of the SLR is to provide a high-level platform for budding scholars to publish their work. The SLR receives, selects, edits, and publishes articles in an annual peer-reviewed volume.

The Law Review is run by an Editorial Board comprising the Editor-in-Chief, Managing Editor, Publishing Editor, Editors in charge of Peer Review, Senior Editors, and Associate Editors. These positions are usually taken up by second, third and fourth-year law students. The membership also includes first-year Editorial Assistants.

No. The SLR is an institution and not a club.

While a club would be primarily focused on member experience and benefits, as an elite institution, the authors are at the centre of the work of the SLR.

As a member of the Law Review, you will have the opportunity to hone your skills in editing scholarly work, writing, and critical thinking, among others. The Law Review is also a place to meet and work with outstanding peers and upperclassmen. However, what you will derive from your time as a member of the Law Review will be your responsibility and not the Board’s.

Interested law students are invited to join the SLR during their first year as Editorial Assistants, or during their second year as Associate Editors.

The complete application process for editorial assistants takes around 2 weeks. The actual application window will usually open for 7 days while the rest of the time goes towards reviewing applications and communicating selection decisions.

The length of the application window (7 days) forms part of the test and is sufficient to submit a complete application.

Students who demonstrate a keen interest in legal scholarship, are bright, hardworking, and self-motivated.

Editorial Assistants are expected to complete the editing training course held at the beginning of the academic year, complete weekly editorial tasks as assigned, attend all capacity-building sessions, and participate in mentorship activities. Although  Editorial Assistants are not part of the Board, they are trained on matters legal  research and writing and are to assist the Board in carrying out its duties. Upon SUCCESSFUL completion of the editorial process, Editorial Assistants receive certificates officially recognised and endorsed by Strathmore University.

After successful completion of their duties, former editorial assistants may apply to join the board. If successful, they become an Associate Editor. Associate Editors are board members with full voting capacity. Their role involves participating in a team editing process of submissions, conducting some editorial training classes for the first years, and participating in all capacity-building sessions and mentorship activities. In addition to these editorial responsibilities, all Associate Editors are expected and required to author a paper for possible publication in the SLR.

The application to join the SLR Editorial Board as an Associate Editor is open to all second-year law students. However, the learning curve will be steep and editorial assistants are better equipped with the skills needed to succeed in the Associate Editor application.

No. Current second-year Associate Editors proceed to become Senior Editors in their third year. An application is not required.

The core business of the SLR is editing and publishing, and members are trained on the skills required for this. Improving your writing abilities is essential for your competence as an editor, however, you must take personal initiative in this direction.

The Law Review organises regular capacity-building sessions where members are taken through various editing skills. Outside of these sessions, members are encouraged to take initiative in developing both their writing and editing skills.

Outside of the 40+ hours per week that you put towards your LL. B degree, you can expect to commit approximately 7 to 8 hours per week towards your Law Review responsibilities and personal skills development. These hours may vary depending on the workload. For example, the workload is heaviest for the majority of the first semester of the academic year as this is when a lot of editing happens for the new volume.

While the Law Review workload and time commitment is significant, members are able to balance these demands with their academics through effective time management and teamwork. The Law Review makes every effort to ensure that the workload is spread out as far as possible without compromising on quality and publication schedules. The workload also typically decreases during the exams season. Members are also encouraged to communicate any difficulties they are experiencing which are interfering with their capacity to deliver on their Law Review responsibilities.

Yes. Members are encouraged to write and submit papers for publication. All submissions to the SLR are reviewed under a double-blind system and in different panels. The Board takes every precaution to avoid any conflict of interest, for instance, a member can never be in a panel that is editing their paper.

Law Review members are able to take up additional extracurricular activities. However, as an editor your participation will be expected and required when Law Review meetings are scheduled, and deadlines are set regardless of your involvement in other activities.

Yes—by writing. The SLR encourages law students from any class to write and submit papers for publication. Additionally, the SLR community extends to our readers, expert reviewers, faculty advisors, sponsors, and mentors.