Complaints and Appeals Handling

Jurnal HAM is committed to ensuring that all editorial processes are conducted in a fair, transparent, and accountable manner. To this end, the journal provides clear mechanisms for handling complaints regarding policies, procedures, or editorial conduct, as well as appeals against editorial decisions on submitted manuscripts. All complaints and appeals will be handled professionally, objectively, and in a timely manner, while maintaining confidentiality and safeguarding all parties from potential conflicts of interest.

This policy is developed in accordance with the principles established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). The journal considers complaints and appeals as integral components of continuous evaluation and improvement in scholarly publishing governance. For detailed procedures on submission, handling, and resolution, please refer to the full policy below.

Jurnal HAM is committed to upholding integrity, procedural fairness, and accountability in all editorial processes. This policy establishes mechanisms for handling complaints and appeals as part of internal oversight and continuous improvement. It is aligned with COPE principles.

Definitions

A complaint refers to any expression of dissatisfaction regarding journal policies, procedures, editorial processes, or the conduct of editors, reviewers, or staff.

An appeal refers to a formal request by an author to reconsider an editorial decision.

 

General Principles

All complaints and appeals are handled based on:

  • Fairness and objectivity
  • Transparency
  • Timeliness
  • Confidentiality
  • Avoidance of conflicts of interest

The journal ensures protection against retaliation for submissions made in good faith.

 

Complaint Handling Procedure

Complaints must be submitted in writing to the Managing Editor via the journal’s official email or the official WhatsApp contact listed on the journal’s contact page. The complainant must clearly describe the issue, including relevant details such as dates, involved parties, and supporting documents.

Upon receipt, the journal will acknowledge the complaint within 5–7 working days. The investigation will be conducted objectively and proportionately by the Managing Editor, ensuring confidentiality and avoiding conflicts of interest. Where necessary, the Managing Editor may coordinate with the Editor-in-Chief or other relevant parties.

A written response will be provided to the complainant outlining the findings and any corrective actions taken.

If the complainant is not satisfied with the outcome, they may escalate the matter to the BSK Hukum Publication Management via email at [email protected]. This serves as a higher-level review mechanism with greater institutional independence.

 

Appeals Procedure

Appeals against editorial decisions must be submitted in writing to the Editor-in-Chief via the OJS system or the official email listed on the journal’s contact page. Appeals must be submitted within 30 days of the editorial decision.

The appeal must include a clear and structured justification, such as evidence of factual errors, potential bias in the peer review process, or significant new evidence. Appeals based solely on differences in scholarly opinion without substantiated grounds will not be considered.

The Editor-in-Chief will assess the validity of the appeal. If deemed valid, the manuscript may be re-evaluated, potentially involving other editors or independent reviewers.

The decision on the appeal is final and will be communicated in writing with a clear justification.

Record Keeping and Evaluation

All complaints and appeals are documented confidentially. These records are used for periodic evaluation and improvement of editorial processes.