The Andalas Law Journal is committed to ensuring fairness, transparency, and integrity in all aspects of the publication process. We have established clear procedures for handling complaints and appeals from authors, reviewers, and other parties. These procedures align with the guidelines provided by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). For further guidance, please refer to COPE’s resources.

Scope of Complaints

Complaints may be related to, but are not limited to, the following issues:

• Allegations of editorial misconduct, including bias or conflicts of interest.
• Errors in the publication process, such as misinterpretation of data or failure to follow journal policies.
• Concerns about the quality or integrity of the peer review process.
• Any other aspect of the journal’s editorial or publishing practices.

Submitting a Complaint

Complaints should be submitted in writing and directed to the Editor-in-Chief at alj@law.unand.ac.id. The complaint should include:

• A clear description of the issue.
• Any relevant evidence or documentation supporting the complaint.
• The complainant’s contact information.

All complaints will be treated with the utmost confidentiality and will be addressed as promptly as possible.

Initial Response

Upon receiving a complaint, the Editor-in-Chief will:

1. Acknowledge receipt of the complaint within five business days.
2. Conduct a preliminary review to determine whether the complaint falls within the scope of the journal’s policies.
3. If the complaint is valid, initiate an investigation to gather further information.

Investigation Process

The investigation may involve:

• Consulting with relevant editorial board members or reviewers.
• Reviewing relevant documentation, such as the peer review reports and editorial correspondence.
• Seeking additional input from external experts if necessary.

The investigation will be conducted impartially and will aim to resolve as swiftly as possible.

Outcomes

Based on the findings of the investigation, the following actions may be taken:

• Upholding the Complaint: If the complaint is valid, appropriate corrective actions will be taken. This may include issuing a correction or retraction, apologising to the complainant, or taking steps to prevent similar issues.
• Dismissing the Complaint: If the complaint is unsubstantiated, the complainant will be informed of the reasons for this decision.

Appeals Process

If the complainant is not satisfied with the outcome of the investigation, they may appeal the decision. Appeals must be submitted in writing to the Editor-in-Chief at alj@law.unand.ac.id within 30 days of receiving the decision. The appeal should include:

• A detailed explanation of why the complainant believes the decision was incorrect.
• Any additional evidence or information that was not previously considered.

The appeal will be reviewed by an independent panel consisting of editorial board members who were not involved in the initial investigation. The decision of the appeals panel will be final.

Documentation and Transparency

All complaints and appeals will be documented, and records will be maintained for future reference. The Andalas Law Journal is committed to transparency and will update complainants on the status of their complaint or appeal throughout the process.

For more information on the handling of complaints and appeals, please refer to the COPE website.