Submissions

Author Guidelines

INTRODUCTION

The development of digitalization has changed the way people communicate, transact, and store information. In the context of criminal law, these developments have also led to the use of electronic information and electronic documents as evidence in the trial process.

The recognition of electronic evidence in Indonesia is regulated through Article 5 paragraph (1) of the ITE Law, which states that electronic information and/or electronic documents and their printouts are valid legal evidence. In addition, developments in criminal procedural law in Indonesia have also begun to accommodate electronic evidence as part of the development of modern evidentiary systems. However, the use of digital evidence gives rise to various legal problems. Electronic evidence has different characteristics from conventional evidence because it is susceptible to manipulation, easily changed, and crosses jurisdictional boundaries. These conditions raise questions regarding authentication standards, evidence integrity, chain of custody, the legality of the method of obtaining evidence, and the protection of individual privacy rights.

The issue becomes more complex when private communications such as personal chats, emails, and closed conversation groups are used as criminal evidence. On one hand, the use of such evidence can assist in law enforcement and the search for material truth. But on the other hand, this practice has the potential to cause violations of privacy rights and abuse of authority if not accompanied by clear procedures. Furthermore, questions have also developed regarding the extent to which digital platforms have responsibility for user activities and the storage of electronic data which is then used in the evidentiary process.

INTRODUCTION

The development of digitalization has changed the way people communicate, transact, and store information. In the context of criminal law, these developments have also led to the use of electronic information and electronic documents as evidence in the trial process.

The recognition of electronic evidence in Indonesia is regulated through Article 5 paragraph (1) of the ITE Law, which states that electronic information and/or electronic documents and their printouts are valid legal evidence. In addition, developments in criminal procedural law in Indonesia have also begun to accommodate electronic evidence as part of the development of modern evidentiary systems. However, the use of digital evidence gives rise to various legal problems. Electronic evidence has different characteristics from conventional evidence because it is susceptible to manipulation, easily changed, and crosses jurisdictional boundaries. These conditions raise questions regarding authentication standards, evidence integrity, chain of custody, the legality of the method of obtaining evidence, and the protection of individual privacy rights.

The issue becomes more complex when private communications such as personal chats, emails, and closed conversation groups are used as criminal evidence. On one hand, the use of such evidence can assist in law enforcement and the search for material truth. But on the other hand, this practice has the potential to cause violations of privacy rights and abuse of authority if not accompanied by clear procedures. Furthermore, questions have also developed regarding the extent to which digital platforms have responsibility for user activities and the storage of electronic data which is then used in the evidentiary process.

• QUALIFICATION OF AUTHORS

1. The author(s) must be an Undergraduate Law Student(s) from the Faculty of Law UGM (S-1 program) or active member of other Local Chapter under ALSA National Chapter Indonesia, proven with a Student Identity Card;
2. Author(s) must commit to submitting Asian Legal Reform Journal articles before the deadline for submission;
3. Author(s) are required to comply with all the rules listed in Guidelines for Writing; and
4. The author(s) consists of a maximum of 3 (three) persons and must be from 1 (one) same institution.

• SUBSTANCE

1. The article is written in Indonesian;
2. All forms of plagiarism are prohibited in article writing;
3. The substance of the article is scientific, containing data, research results, and information to enhance knowledge based on empirical studies (surveys, case studies, experiments, etc.) or theoretical studies to develop, adapt, or synergize existing theories;
4. The quality of the article is assessed based on specific knowledge or interdisciplinary approaches in science and law. The quality of the article is better as the discussed topic becomes more in-depth;
5. The substance of the article covers areas related to legal issues originating from local, regional, and/or national studies;
6. The substance of the article includes original scientific work from previous research and knowledge, modern approaches, recent discoveries, completeness, or theories in science and law;
7. The article serves as a foundation for developing knowledge and influencing science within the fields of science and law;
8. The article is expected to have an impact on subsequent research activities;
9. Using more primary sources than other sources will strengthen the framework of the article;
10. The main references cited in the article should be from the last 5 years. Classic works can still be referenced but should not serve as comparative discussions within the fields of science and law;
11. The credibility of the article will be enhanced if the substance contains sharp and synthetic analysis in critiquing issues in science and law; and
12. Ultimately, the substance of the article must contain concrete conclusions and well-established analysis.

• WRITING PROVISIONS

1. The article manuscript is written on A4 paper (210 mm x 297 mm) consisting of 3.000 up to 10.000 words and use Times New Roman font with 12 pt and 1.5 spacing with a normal margin;
2. Article titles must be brief and clear (article titles are recommended to contain 10-15 words); 
3. The author's name and e-mail address must be included in the article manuscript; 
4. Articles must contain an Abstract in 100-200 words and 3-5 keywords to provide a brief overview of the overall concept of the article;
5. The minimum reference consists of 5 (five) books and 10 (ten) journals;
6. Article writing must consist of:
1. Introduction, which consists of background and research problem (20%);
2. Analysis, this chapter contains legal analysis, theoretical studies, and concept development (60%);
3. Conclusions and/or Suggestions (10%); and
4. Supporting instruments such as footnotes are essential in an article for descriptive presentation to give derivative explanations that are not directly or indirectly related to the topic of the Article (10%). The use of footnotes in the Asian Legal Reform Journal shall refer to the Chicago Manual of Style 17th Edition (full note) referencing system as shown in bit.ly/PanduanCatatanKakiLEXA
7. Further provisions regarding the Chicago Manual of Style 17th Edition referencing system (full note), it is recommended to use a citation machine (Mendeley, Zotero, etc.); 
8. References that have been cited must be included in the Bibliography at the end of the article. The provisions for the order and writing of the Bibliography must also comply with the citation requirements of the Chicago Manual of Style 17th Edition (full note) referencing system; 
9. The bibliography can be classified by reference type and ordered alphabetically; 
10. When referring to the Article in the regulation, the first letter of the word 'article' is written in capital letters (“Article”);
11. Rule abbreviations are given to the writing style of the author and depend on the jurisdiction in which the rule was issued. The writing style of each type of rule should be used consistently throughout the script. The recommended form for Indonesian legislation is “Law No. 11/2020” or “MA 55PK/Pid/1996”; and 
12. Straightforward language, writing rules, and good and correct grammar are the main points of the article.
    
    

• PUBLICATION OF ARTICLES

1. Articles to be published are works that have never been published before in academic journals, media, or other publications; 
2. Authors are  required to submit their CV, Student ID Card, and Statement Letter of Document Authenticity NO LATER THAN Saturday, 22 August 2026 at 23:59 WIB to bit.ly/LEXAVol7AuthorsCVSubmission 
3. Statement Letter of Document of Authority must be in accordance with the designated template available at bit.ly/LEXAJournalVol7DocumentAuthenticity 
4. Articles must be prepared in accordance with the designated writing template available at bit.ly/ArticleTemplateLEXA 
5. Articles  must be submitted in soft-copy format (in Microsoft Word [.doc or .docx] format instead of .pdf format) which will then be sent via bit.ly/LEXAVol7RegisterOJSSubmission before Saturday, 22 August 2026, at 23.59 WIB; 
6. For detailed instructions on how to register and submit an article to the Open Journal System, please refer to bit.ly/RegistrationGuidelinesLEXA 
7. The Editorial Board has the right to edit, revise, and reject articles; and
8. For further review of journal manuscripts, the submitted manuscripts will undergo an initial stage, namely the Pre-Review process. If the script passes this process, it will then undergo a Double-blind Peer Review process.