Introducing the European Journal of Empirical Legal Studies: A Beacon of Empirical Inquiry in Law

Empirical Legal Studies (ELS) is not merely a burgeoning field; it is an evolutionary force reshaping the landscape of legal scholarship.While its roots trace back to the legal realist movement of the twentieth century, ELS has matured into a distinct domain of inquiry, fostering a community of scholars passionate about unraveling the empirical fabric of law.In Europe, this momentum culminated in the establishment of the European Society for Empirical Legal Studies (ESELS) in 2022, heralding a new era of institutional support and collaboration.Against this backdrop emerges the European Journal of Empirical Legal Studies (EJELS), a scholarly conduit for empirical legal inquiry under the auspices of ESELS.Our mission is twofold: to elevate the quality and visibility of empirical legal scholarship as well as to advance our understanding of law and its societal impact.The journal will advance these goals by providing a robust platform for the dissementation of high-quality empirical legal scholarship.From refining legal theory to informing policy decisions, empirical legal scholarship has an impact far beyond academia, shaping society.By helping to spread such scholarship, the EJELS will empower policymakers, jurists, and stakeholders with evidencebased insights.The EJELS is commited to scientific excellence and ethical rigour.This includes adherence to gold standards of scientific publication, such as double-blind peer review and requirements of ethical review and reproducibility, including sharing necessary data and code.In addition, the Journal adheres to the principles of Open Science democratizing access, fostering inclusivity, and promoting transparency.For us, inclusivity is not just a buzzword; it's our creed.EJELS embraces diversity and inviting all who seek to better understand how the law operates, the world on which law is based, and the context in which law operates to call it home, regardless of disciplinary background, area of focus, or methodolgical expertise.Whether through quantitative analysis, qualitative research, or interdisciplinary collaboration, EJELS serves as a nexus for scholarly exchange and intellectual innovation, transcending traditional boundaries in pursuit of knowledge.