Editorial Board Responsibilities & Ethics Policy

Editorial Board Responsibilities & Ethics Policy

Last Updated: 5 March 2026

This Editorial Board Responsibilities and Ethics Policy outlines the roles, responsibilities, and ethical standards applicable to members of the editorial board, volume editors, and conference editorial committees working with Inkbound Publishers (“Inkbound”, “we”, “us”, or “our”), accessible at https://inkbound.org (the “Website”).

Inkbound Publishers was previously known as The Law Brigade (Book) Publisher, and the current publishing platform continues the academic publishing activities formerly carried out under that name. References to “Inkbound”, “we”, “us”, or “our” in this policy refer to the publisher operating the Website and its associated publishing services.

Inkbound is committed to maintaining the highest standards of scholarly integrity, transparency, and editorial independence. Members of the editorial board play a critical role in upholding these standards and ensuring the academic quality of published works.

The ethical principles described in this policy are informed by internationally recognized guidelines developed by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

1. Role of the Editorial Board

The editorial board supports Inkbound in maintaining the scholarly quality, integrity, and relevance of its publications.

Editorial board members may contribute to the publishing process through activities such as:

  • advising on editorial policies and publishing standards;

  • assisting in identifying appropriate peer reviewers;

  • evaluating manuscript proposals or submissions within their area of expertise;

  • supporting the development of new scholarly book projects or conference proceedings.

Editorial board members serve in an advisory and scholarly capacity and help ensure that Inkbound publications meet recognized academic standards.

2. Editorial Independence

Editorial decisions must be based solely on the scholarly merit, originality, and relevance of the submitted work.

Editors and editorial board members must evaluate submissions objectively and without discrimination based on factors such as:

  • nationality or geographic origin

  • institutional affiliation

  • gender, ethnicity, or personal background

  • political or ideological perspectives

Editorial independence must be maintained at all times, free from external influence, including commercial or institutional pressures.

3. Responsibilities of Volume Editors

Editors responsible for edited volumes or book collections have additional responsibilities in managing the editorial process.

Volume editors are expected to:

  • ensure that all chapters meet appropriate academic and ethical standards;

  • coordinate the submission and revision process with contributing authors;

  • ensure that manuscripts undergo double-blind peer review in accordance with Inkbound’s peer review policy;

  • verify that all contributions comply with Inkbound’s policies on plagiarism, AI usage, and publication ethics.

While volume editors assist in coordinating the editorial process, the final publication decision remains with Inkbound.

4. Responsibilities of Conference Editorial Committees

Conference organizers or editorial committees submitting proceedings to Inkbound must ensure that conference papers comply with accepted scholarly standards.

Conference editorial committees are responsible for:

  • implementing appropriate peer review procedures for submitted papers;

  • ensuring that submissions comply with academic integrity requirements;

  • verifying that all authors have consented to publication.

If the Inkbound editorial board determines that the conference-level peer review process does not meet the publisher’s standards, the publisher may conduct additional double-blind peer review before publication.

5. Confidentiality

Editorial board members, editors, and reviewers must maintain strict confidentiality regarding all submitted manuscripts and related communications.

Unpublished materials must not be:

  • disclosed to unauthorized individuals;

  • used for personal research or advantage;

  • shared outside the editorial process.

Confidential information obtained through editorial work must be treated with professional discretion.

6. Conflict of Interest

Editors and editorial board members must disclose any conflicts of interest that may affect their ability to evaluate a submission objectively.

Conflicts may include:

  • personal relationships with the authors;

  • professional collaborations or institutional affiliations;

  • financial or research interests related to the manuscript.

Where conflicts exist, editors must recuse themselves from the editorial decision-making process for the affected submission.

7. Ethical Oversight and Integrity

Editorial board members are expected to support Inkbound in maintaining high standards of academic integrity.

Editors should remain vigilant for potential ethical issues, including:

  • plagiarism or duplicate publication;

  • data fabrication or falsification;

  • manipulation of the peer review process;

  • authorship disputes or ethical concerns.

Suspected misconduct should be reported to the editorial office for investigation in accordance with established ethical procedures.

8. Responsible Conduct and Professionalism

Editorial board members are expected to conduct their responsibilities with professionalism and respect for authors, reviewers, and fellow editors.

Editors should:

  • provide constructive and respectful feedback to authors;

  • communicate editorial decisions clearly and transparently;

  • avoid unnecessary delays in the editorial process.

Maintaining a professional and respectful editorial environment contributes to the credibility of the scholarly publishing process.

9. Misconduct and Removal from Editorial Board

Editorial board members who fail to adhere to the ethical standards described in this policy may be subject to review by the publisher.

Where serious violations occur—including breaches of confidentiality, conflicts of interest, or misconduct in the editorial process—Inkbound reserves the right to remove individuals from the editorial board.

Contact

Questions regarding editorial responsibilities or ethical matters may be directed to:

Email: editor@inkbound.org