Logo AfGAC – African-German Arbitration Cooperation

AfGAC Blog Editorial Guidelines

Purpose of the Blog

The AfGAC blog is a platform for sharing ideas, experiences, and developments in arbitration, dispute resolution, and cross-continental legal cooperation. It provides space for thoughtful reflection, critical insight, and the celebration of institutional achievements across Africa and Germany. It also serves as the digital home for our website’s news section.

 

  1. Target Audience

Our primary audience includes:

  • Legal practitioners (arbitrators, lawyers, judges)
  • Academics and students in law
  • Institutional partners and donors
  • Business and commercial dispute stakeholders
  • Arbitration centres and policymakers

 

  1. Tone and Style

  • Professional yet personal: Write in a professional voice, but feel free to include personal reflections, experiences, and observations.
  • Accessible, not overly technical: Avoid unnecessary jargon. If legal terms are used, provide a brief explanation.
  • Clear and structured: Use paragraphs and subheadings to guide the reader.
  • Balanced and inclusive: Highlight collaboration, regional perspectives, and diversity where relevant.

 

  1. Length

  • Standard blog posts: 800–1,200 words
  • Feature essays or event reports: Up to 1,800 words
  • Short updates or announcements: 400–600 words

 

  1. Structure

Each post should ideally include:

  1. Headline: Clear, concise, and engaging
  2. Opening paragraph: Introduce the topic and its relevance
  3. Main body: Develop your argument, share insights or describe the event/project
  4. Conclusion: Reflect on the significance, future outlook, or personal takeaways

Use subheadings where appropriate to break up long sections.

 

  1. Content Types Accepted

  • Project reflections (e.g., training summaries, collaborations)
  • Expert perspectives or opinion pieces
  • Case law or legal trend commentary (African or global relevance)
  • Institutional highlights or milestones
  • Profiles of participants or partners
  • Moot competition reports and student experiences

 

  1. Referencing and Attribution

  • Cite all sources clearly using hyperlinks (e.g., institutional websites, treaties, reports).
  • If referencing a publication or legal text, use a consistent citation style (OSCOLA or Bluebook preferred).
  • Acknowledge partner organizations, speakers, or contributors where relevant.

 

  1. Formatting

  • Submit text in a Word document or Google Doc.
  • Use bold for emphasis sparingly.
  • Titles in sentence case (e.g., Reflections from the Kigali Training, not REFLECTIONS FROM THE KIGALI TRAINING).
  • Hyperlinks should be embedded in the text (e.g., CRCICA, not full URLs in brackets).

 

  1. Images and Media

  • You may submit 1–3 high-quality images with captions.
  • Ensure you have permission for any photos used (especially of participants).
  • Include photo credits if applicable.

 

  1. Review and Editing

  • All submissions are subject to light editorial review for clarity, grammar, and formatting.
  • Substantive edits will be discussed with the author.
  • We aim to publish accepted pieces within 10 working days of final approval.

 

  1. Author Bio

At the end of your post, please include:

  • Your full name
  • Institutional affiliation or role
  • A short 1–2 sentence biography
  • Optional: link to your professional website, LinkedIn, or relevant publication

 

Contact

For submissions, questions, or collaborations, please contact:
📧 nyanje@lawcom.institute