About the Journal

The Global Journal of Animal Law is an open-access legal journal dedicated to advancing animal law as a recognized legal field and enhancing human understanding of nonhuman animals legal status. At GJAL, we embrace the dynamic landscape of animal law scholarship and aspire to align more closely with our name by fostering a global platform. We welcome diverse perspectives, including multidisciplinary or comparative studies, as well as submissions that position animal law as an independent legal discipline. If you have questions about the suitability of your manuscript, please feel free to submit; our editorial team will review it to assess its alignment with the journal's scope. Submissions are accepted on a rolling basis.

 

History of the Global Journal of Animal Law

Founded in 2013 by legal scholar Dr. Birgitta Wahlberg following her doctoral research on animal protection, the Global Journal of Animal Law (GJAL) stands as one of the pioneering animal law journals in Europe.  GJAL was established with the support of Åbo Akademi University to cultivate a global discourse on animal law. As founding editor-in-chief, Wahlberg envisioned a journal that would bring together scholars, legal practitioners, and advocates from around the world, establishing a critical resource in this emerging field.

Over the years, GJAL expanded its focus under successive editors, with Dr. Visa Kurki and Dr. Tero Kivinen following Wahlberg. Each brought unique contributions to the journal's growth, widening its scope to include comparative, theoretical, and philosophical explorations alongside black-letter legal scholarship. As the journal now transitioned to being published by the Finnish Animal Rights Law Society, it continues to evolve, reflecting a growing global interest in animal rights and law. 

GJAL remains dedicated to its founding mission of promoting high-quality scholarship and facilitating international collaboration. The journal operates with editorial independence, ensuring academic rigor and integrity. Today, under the editorial leadership of Marina Baptista-Rosa and Veerle Platvoet, the journal stands firm in its commitment to advancing impactful and inclusive animal law scholarship.