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Virginia Law Review (also searched as the University of Virginia Law Review) is a student-edited law journal published by the Virginia Law Review Association at the University of Virginia School of Law. It takes Article and Essay submissions only through Scholastica, in set windows. This page summarizes the journal’s own submission page as read on 2026-11-08, for legal scholars deciding when and how to submit.
What Virginia Law Review is
The journal states that it was permanently organized on April 23, 1913, and that its editorial work is done entirely by students of the University of Virginia School of Law. It publishes eight issues a year, in March, April, May, June, September, October, November and December. Its copyright line names the Virginia Law Review Association. The names “Virginia Law Review” and “University of Virginia Law Review” refer to the same journal.
In legal citation the journal is abbreviated Va. L. Rev.; see Bluebook abbreviations for how journal names are shortened in footnotes.
Who runs it and what it covers
Because the editors are students, selection is made by a student-edited board rather than by a faculty editor or a peer-review panel. That differs from most journals in other fields, a point covered in law review authorship norms. The journal’s site lists separate routes for Articles and Essays, Notes (for University of Virginia law students), Online content, and a Stylebook. Articles written exclusively by current law students are not considered for the Articles route.
How to submit an Article or Essay
These steps come from the journal’s Articles and Essays page (read 2026-11-08). That page stated that the Articles Department was not currently open and would reopen in January 2027, so check it for current status before preparing a submission.
- Pick a window. The journal names February to mid-April and late July to mid-September as the best times. It does not actively consider manuscripts from late May to mid-July.
- Check length. Under 25,000 words including footnotes is strongly preferred; over 30,000 words is published only in exceptional circumstances.
- Prepare an abstract. It must be under 250 words and on a separate page.
- Write the cover letter. Include the manuscript title, an email address (receipt is not acknowledged without one), a mailing address, a daytime phone number, the total word count including footnotes, and a separate footnote word count.
- Submit through Scholastica. The journal says it now accepts submissions exclusively through Scholastica.
- Disclose substantive AI use. The page requires authors to disclose it through a Google Form and links the journal’s AI policy.
- Empirical articles. Supporting materials such as data files are due within seven days of accepting an offer to publish, and may be uploaded earlier to aid review. Empirical data should be publicly available or disclosed on request, which can be waived only in extraordinary circumstances.
Expedite requests
If another journal has made an offer, the Virginia Law Review will consider an expedite request during the school year, not in summer. Send it only through Scholastica and include your name, email, daytime phone number, the date by which you need an answer, and the name of the journal that offered publication. The journal says it cannot guarantee a reply.
Strengths and limits
- Clear, published rules. Windows, length thresholds and cover-letter contents are all stated, which lets authors time a submission.
- Single channel. Everything runs through Scholastica, so there is no mailed or emailed route to plan for.
- Closed periods. The late-May to mid-July gap and the journal’s own closure notices mean timing matters.
- Not covered by the submission page. It does not address formatting details, simultaneous submission or footnote style beyond word counts; the journal links a Stylebook for style. This page makes no claim about rankings or acceptance rates.
Alternatives
Law scholarship is spread across many student-edited reviews, each with its own windows and rules. For a comparable profile see the Harvard Law Review entry. Authors researching authority while drafting may find Westlaw vs Lexis useful. Always read each journal’s own submission page for its current policy.
FAQ
Is the University of Virginia Law Review the same as Virginia Law Review?
Yes. The journal is run by students at the University of Virginia School of Law, and both names refer to it.
How do I submit to Virginia Law Review?
Through Scholastica only, with a cover letter and a separate abstract of under 250 words, in the windows the journal names (February to mid-April, late July to mid-September).
Can a law student submit an Article?
Articles written exclusively by current law students are not considered. University of Virginia law students may submit Notes instead.
How many issues does it publish per year?
Eight, in March, April, May, June, September, October, November and December, according to the journal.
Sources
- Virginia Law Review, Articles and Essays submissions, read 2026-11-08.
- Virginia Law Review, Tradition of Excellence, read 2026-11-08.
