Aims of the Journal

The first volume of the Journal appeared in 2001. Its aims were set out by its Joint Patrons, Lord Woolf and Baroness Boothroyd, as follows:

"This journal aims to encourage the sharing of best practice in legal education across the [now 53] member states of the Commonwealth. It also seeks to promote the sharing of scholarship, points of view and innovation in legal education. For the Journal of Commonwealth Law and Legal Education, education about Law (in all or any of its social facets) is as important as academic and professional education in Law.

As a federation of many different jurisdictions, all of which share a common legal heritage, the Commonwealth represents a corpus of legal thinking that affects the daily lives of more people than are affected by any other legal system or network of legal systems. Legal educators, scholars and practitioners within the Commonwealth have a great deal to learn from one another. In ordinary language a 'commonwealth' is a system involving the sharing of riches or resources. It is the purpose of this journal to create a commonwealth of knowledge, analysis and reflection on any legal matters or themes that have relevance to legal practice, legal policy and legal scholarship in Commonwealth jurisdictions.

The Journal of Commonwealth Law and Legal Education welcomes a range of contributions. Those who consider themselves as primarily teachers of law, those who are primarily researchers or scholars and those whose main work is in legal practice or judicial responsibilities are all equally welcome. We value the richness and stimulation of diversity."

In its short history, the Journal has certainly fulfilled the vision of the Patrons and founding editors for it has already carried articles, case notes and comments on a wide range of cutting-edge topics that span the Commonwealth.