The Journal of Critical Analysis of Judicial Decisions

The Journal of Critical Analysis of Judicial Decisions

Policy on the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in Scholarly Publishing

1. Introduction

The increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in scholarly research has created new opportunities to improve the quality, efficiency, and accessibility of academic work. When used appropriately and responsibly, AI tools may assist researchers in drafting, editing, language refinement, literature review, and other research-related activities. Conversely, inappropriate or undisclosed use of AI may compromise the originality of scholarly work, violate the principles of research integrity, generate inaccurate or fabricated information, disclose confidential material, or adversely affect the rights and legitimate interests of others.

To establish a consistent framework governing the use of AI throughout the editorial process, the Iranian Law and Legal Research Institute, as the publisher of Critical Analysis of Judicial Decisions, has adopted this Policy. The purpose of this Policy is to preserve the originality of scholarly publications, protect intellectual property rights, and ensure compliance with accepted standards of publication ethics.

This Policy applies to all authors, peer reviewers, editors, editorial board members, and any other individuals participating in the submission, review, editorial, or publication processes of Critical Analysis of Judicial Decisions.

Reference: Introduction, Guidelines on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Research, Ministry of Science, Research and Technology of Iran.

2. General Principles

2.1 The use of AI tools in the preparation, review, editing, and publication of manuscripts is permitted only to the extent provided under this Policy.

2.2 Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy of the content, the originality of the manuscript, the validity of citations, the soundness of legal analysis, the reliability of research findings, and compliance with the principles of research integrity. The use of AI does not transfer or reduce such responsibility.

2.3 AI systems do not qualify as legal or natural persons and therefore shall not be identified as authors or co-authors of any manuscript submitted to Critical Analysis of Judicial Decisions.

2.4 AI tools shall not replace human intellectual contribution, legal reasoning, scholarly analysis, academic judgment, or professional responsibility.

2.5 Any AI-generated output incorporated into a manuscript shall be critically reviewed, evaluated, and approved by the individual using such output prior to submission.

2.6 Where AI has been used in the preparation or completion of a manuscript, the author shall disclose such use in accordance with the requirements of Critical Analysis of Judicial Decisions.

2.7 All individuals subject to this Policy shall use AI technologies in a manner consistent with the principles of research integrity, transparency, confidentiality, intellectual property protection, and professional responsibility.

Reference: Sections 2.1–2.10, Guidelines on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Research, Ministry of Science, Research and Technology of Iran.

3. Permitted Uses of Artificial Intelligence

The use of AI tools is permitted where such tools serve solely as supportive instruments and do not replace the author's intellectual contribution or scholarly responsibility. In all cases, responsibility for the content of the manuscript remains with the author.

The following are examples of permitted uses of AI tools:

Permitted Use Status
Grammar, spelling, punctuation, and language editing ✅ Permitted
Initial translation or improvement of scholarly translations ✅ Permitted
Generating or refining manuscript titles, abstracts, or keywords ✅ Permitted
Brainstorming research ideas or proposing research questions ✅ Permitted
Assisting with manuscript organization or structural planning ✅ Permitted
Summarizing scholarly sources ✅ Permitted
Recommending relevant literature, subject to independent verification by the author ✅ Permitted
Assisting with data analysis, programming, or code generation ✅ Permitted
Preparing tables, charts, figures, or other graphical materials ✅ Permitted
Revising or improving text originally written by the author ✅ Permitted

The foregoing uses are permitted only where all of the following conditions are satisfied:

3.1 The author shall critically review, evaluate, and approve all AI-generated output before incorporating it into the manuscript.

3.2 The author shall verify the accuracy of all factual statements, the reliability of citations, the authenticity of references, and the consistency of AI-generated content with accepted scholarly standards.

3.3 The author remains solely responsible for any content generated, revised, or suggested by AI tools and subsequently incorporated into the manuscript.

3.4 Where AI has materially contributed to the preparation or completion of a substantial portion of the manuscript, such use shall be disclosed in accordance with the requirements of Critical Analysis of Judicial Decisions.

Compliance with the foregoing requirements shall not preclude the manuscript from being evaluated under the Journal's ordinary editorial and peer-review standards.

Reference: Sections 5.1–5.6 and Sections 7.1–7.2, Guidelines on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Research, Ministry of Science, Research and Technology of Iran.

4. Prohibited Uses of Artificial Intelligence

The use of AI tools in any manner that compromises the originality of scholarly work, violates research integrity, infringes the rights of others, or misrepresents the manner in which a manuscript has been prepared is prohibited by Critical Analysis of Judicial Decisions.

The following are examples of prohibited uses of AI tools:

Prohibited Use Status
Generating all or a substantial portion of a manuscript and submitting it as the author's own scholarly work ❌ Prohibited
Fabricating, manipulating, or falsifying research data, findings, statistics, or other scholarly evidence ❌ Prohibited
Generating fictitious references, citations, or quotations ❌ Prohibited
Rewriting another person's work through AI in order to conceal plagiarism or reduce similarity detection ❌ Prohibited
Incorporating AI-generated content without independent review, verification, and approval by the author ❌ Prohibited
Delegating legal analysis, scholarly reasoning, interpretation, or conclusions to AI tools ❌ Prohibited
Uploading manuscripts, case files, research materials, personal data, or confidential information to publicly available AI platforms without legal or contractual authorization ❌ Prohibited
Presenting AI-generated content as the author's original intellectual contribution ❌ Prohibited
Failing to disclose the use of AI where disclosure is required under this Policy ❌ Prohibited

4.1 AI tools shall not be used in any manner that obscures the author's actual scholarly contribution or creates a misleading impression regarding the originality of the manuscript.

4.2 Authors remain fully responsible for any inaccurate information, fabricated references, erroneous citations, or other deficiencies resulting from the use of AI tools.

4.3 The use of AI for the purpose of disguising plagiarism, circumventing similarity detection systems, or concealing research misconduct constitutes a breach of this Policy.

4.4 Where the Editorial Board of Critical Analysis of Judicial Decisionshas reasonable grounds to question the manner or extent of AI use in a manuscript, it may require the author to provide explanations or supporting documentation. Failure to provide a satisfactory response may result in the adoption of appropriate editorial measures.

Reference: Sections 6.1–6.6 and Sections 2.6 and 2.9, Guidelines on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Research, Ministry of Science, Research and Technology of Iran.

5. Responsibilities of Authors

Authors are solely responsible for the originality, accuracy, and scholarly integrity of manuscripts submitted to Critical Analysis of Judicial Decisions. The use of AI tools neither transfers nor diminishes an author's academic, ethical, or legal responsibilities.

5.1 Authors shall review and verify all parts of the manuscript, including factual statements, citations, references, analyses, and conclusions, prior to submission. AI-generated content shall not be incorporated into a manuscript without the author's independent evaluation and approval.

5.2 Where AI tools have been used in drafting, revising, or completing a manuscript, the author shall disclose such use in accordance with the requirements of Critical Analysis of Judicial Decisions. Such disclosure shall, where applicable, identify the AI tool used, the purpose of its use, and the portion of the manuscript to which it contributed.

5.3 Before relying on references or citations suggested by AI tools, authors shall verify their existence, accuracy, and bibliographic details. Responsibility for fictitious or inaccurate references rests entirely with the author.

5.4 Manuscripts, unpublished research, personal information, confidential documents, contractual materials, or any other protected information shall not be uploaded to publicly available AI systems unless such disclosure is authorized by law or by the relevant rights holder.

5.5 Where the Editorial Board of Critical Analysis of Judicial Decisions requests additional information regarding the use of AI, authors shall provide the requested explanations or supporting documentation within the prescribed period.

5.6 Disclosure of AI use shall not, in itself, prejudice the editorial assessment of a manuscript. Editorial decisions shall be based on compliance with this Policy, the originality of the work, and the author's transparency and accountability.

Reference: Sections 2.2, 7.1–7.3 and 8.1, Guidelines on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Research, Ministry of Science, Research and Technology of Iran.

6. Responsibilities of Peer Reviewers

Peer reviewers shall conduct their reviews in accordance with the principles of confidentiality, impartiality, independence, and academic integrity. The use of AI shall not compromise the confidentiality of manuscripts or the integrity of the peer-review process.

6.1 Manuscripts, author information, supplementary files, research data, or any confidential material submitted to Critical Analysis of Judicial Decisions shall not be uploaded to publicly available AI platforms.

6.2 Peer reviewers shall prepare their review reports on the basis of their own expertise and independent academic judgment. AI tools shall not replace the reviewer's evaluation, legal analysis, or recommendation regarding acceptance, revision, or rejection of a manuscript.

6.3 Limited use of AI for non-substantive purposes, including language editing, translation, or retrieval of general information, is permissible provided that such use does not disclose confidential information or affect the reviewer's independent judgment.

6.4 Where a reviewer identifies potential misuse of AI, fabricated references, undisclosed AI use, or any related concern, the matter shall be reported to the Editorial Board of Critical Analysis of Judicial Decisions through the peer-review report together with any supporting information available.

6.5 Peer reviewers shall refrain from storing or transferring manuscripts to AI services whose confidentiality and data protection standards have not been verified by the Iranian Law and Legal Research Institute.

Reference: Sections 9.1–9.3, Guidelines on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Research, Ministry of Science, Research and Technology of Iran.

 7. Enforcement