Pacific Basin Law Journal

Mission: Founded in 1982, the Pacific Basin Law Journal (PBLJ) is the second oldest law journal and oldest specialty journal at UCLA. The PBLJ focuses on a diverse range of legal and policy issues as they affect the rapidly developing economies of the Pacific Rim. Throughout its history, the journal has featured articles written by leading scholars and practitioners on topics including human rights law, constitutional law, comparative law, criminal law, international trade law, business and corporate law, and intellectual property law. The breadth and diversity of the subject matter of the journal contribute to its reputation as among the most innovative, informative, and authoritative publications at the law school.

  • Submissions

    General Information: The Pacific Basin Law Journal (PBLJ) is committed to publishing cutting-edge, original scholarship that significantly contributes to the study of the Pacific Rim, including topics such as, but not limited to, human rights law, constitutional law, criminal law, international trade regulations, corporate governance, climate change, and intellectual property law. We are also committed to advancing the dialogue between international and U.S. scholars by publishing articles with foreign sources that are otherwise unavailable to English-language readers, and by publishing translations with the original author's permission. The PBLJ welcomes submissions from legal scholars, practitioners, and graduate students. 

    Timing & Contact: We accept submissions on a rolling basis. Please email your submissions and/or questions to PBLJ@lawnet.ucla.edu

    Submission Requirements: 

    • ​The PBLJ will give preference to articles under 30,000 words, but will not publish articles exceeding 40,000 words except in extraordinary circumstances. 
    • All above the line text must be in English, and articles should be submitted in Microsoft Word. We will work with the authors on translating below the line text for some languages, depending on our staffs' capability.
    • Footnotes must conform with the most current edition of The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation.  
    • A table of contents and an abstract not exceeding 400 words should be included.
    • ​A resume or C.V. should be submitted, including, if applicable, a list of current publications and an e-mail address.
    • Submissions must not have been previously published. 
  • Membership

    By and large, the PBLJ recruits its board and the majority of its associate editors during the Spring write-on process.

    However, we are always open to new Articles and Managing Editors who possess strong writing skills, attention to detail, and work ethic. If you feel you fit these criteria, please email us at PBLJ@lawnet.ucla.edu with the following information: (1) the position you are interested in; (2) a very short statement of interest; and (3) your resume.

    Why would I want to be an editor?​​​​
    Employers expect and look kindly upon students who are involved with law journals, since journal membership demonstrates legal writing and editing skills. It is also a great tradition of law schools that law students participate in law journals and help ensure that their school is able to actively publish about relevant legal issues.

    Specifically, the PBLJ provides a great opportunity for students to use their experience with and pursue their interest in issues concerning the Pacific Rim, which span broadly from economics and intellectual property to human rights and the environment. Additionally, there will be opportunities to meet and work with other students and to interact with legal scholars.

    What do the editors do?
    Editors play an integral and essential role in selecting, editing, and publishing issues of the PBLJ bi-annually. Editors are divided into above-the-line and below-the-line teams, and within each team, editors are given a specific assignment. We also hold cite check sessions each semester for our managing and staff editors.

    What's the time commitment?
    Although we expect the given assignments to be completed on time, the PBLJ does not demand a huge amount time. Responsibilities are varied depending on one's position, but associate editors should expect the least amount time commitment.

  • Subscription

    The Pacific Basin Law Journal publishes twice annually. The views expressed in the PBLJ are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the editorial board. The PBLJ may be purchased as follows:

    Printed copies of our most recent volumes can be purchased on Lulu.

    Back issues, Volume 1-30, may be ordered from Hein:

    • By calling (800) 828-7571
    • By mail: William S. Hein @ Co.,Inc., 1285 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14209-1987
    • By fax at (716) 883-8100, or email to order@wshein.com

    All of our digital copies can be accessed on eScholarship​.

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