MENARA ASPEN ADVISORY JOURNAL
MAAJart1
A journal on law, power and the human experience
Published by Menara Aspen Advisory London England United Kingdom
Editorial Framework
About
Elaine’s reflective insight into law and its structures is grounded in over fifteen years of frontline experience.Her writing examines the intersection of law, power, and lived experience, exploring how legal systems shape and are shaped by the people within them.Her work continues to evolve through her ongoing study of law and adjacent disciplines, informed by a commitment to clarity, depth, and considered thought.Immediate open access is provided for the Version of Record for all peer-reviewed articles.
Editorial Philosophy
The Menara Aspen Advisory Journal is built on the belief that clarity is a form of respect.Legal and structural issues shape everyday life, yet they are often obscured by complexity, jargon, or institutional distance. This journal aims to cut through that noise.I write with an architectural mindset: mapping foundations, tracing evolution, and showing how doctrines, systems, and ideas fit together.My approach is measured rather than sensational, analytical rather than adversarial.I value precision, context, and intellectual honesty.Each piece is crafted to stand alone, yet contribute to a broader body of thought.The journal is not a news feed or a commentary cycle; it is a curated archive — a long‑form exploration of law, structure, and the systems that govern us.Above all, the journal reflects a commitment to clarity, autonomy, and intentionality.
Journal Standards
Purpose
The Menara Aspen Advisory Journal publishes clarity‑driven commentary on law, structure, and contemporary practice. Each piece is written to inform, contextualise, and contribute to an evolving intellectual archive.
Accuracy and Integrity
*All legal references are checked against primary sources.
*Statutory and doctrinal explanations prioritise clarity over jargon.
*Where interpretation is required, it is grounded in established authority.
Independence
The journal is editorially independent.
No external party influences the selection, framing, or publication of content.
Tone and Style
*Calm, measured, and precise.
*Accessible without sacrificing rigour.
*Structural rather than sensational.
*Free from unnecessary hedging or academic clutter.
Revisions
Articles may be updated to reflect changes in law or to improve clarity.
Substantive revisions are noted at the end of the piece.
Copyright
Authors retain the copyright to their work and grant the Menara Aspen Advisory Journal the right of first publication. All articles are published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence.
This allows others to share, copy, and adapt the work, provided the original author and source are appropriately credited.
Editorial Review Board
The Menara Aspen Advisory Editorial Review Board comprises esteemed experts in all areas of law who provide strategic direction and ensure the highest standards of peer review.
We are committed to fostering innovative scholarship by bridging academic theory with practical legal insights.
Dr Paul Fryer
University of Essex
After initially working in investment banking for Credit Suisse in Compliance and Legal advising on issues related to corporate fraud, Dr Paul Fryer entered academia as a Senior Law Lecturer. With over twenty five years experience, he specialises in, at undergraduate level, Criminal Law, Contract Law, Tort, Criminology, Criminal Justice, Law of Evidence and Civil and Criminal Litigation. His postgraduate expertise relates to Research Methods and Financial Crime.Paul has five degrees, including a Masters degree in International Business Law with his thesis specialising on the investigation of White Collar Crime and a Masters degree in Education and Leadership. His PhD focused on White Collar Crime supervised by Prof B. A. K Rider, Jesus College, Cambridge. Paul also has extensive experience as an external examiner and lecturer, having worked for many professional organisations such as CIPS, ACCA, ABE and the OU.
Information
Contact
Please use the form below for all enquiries and I will respond as soon as practicable.
When you click submit, you are agreeing that all the information you have provided in the form can be used to contact you.
Business Information
Company Name: Menara Aspen Advisory LtdMenara Aspen Advisory Ltd is registered in England and Wales as a private limited company:Menara Aspen Advisory Journal ISSN 2979-1723ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4538-3259Company Registration Number: 16986240ICO Reference Number: ZC159540
Jurisdiction: England & WalesBusiness Model: Independent advisory and documentation practiceRegistered Office Address: 2 City Road London EC1V 2NXBusiness Hours: Monday - Thursday, 9:00 AM – 800 PM; Friday 9.00AM - 5.00PM (By Appointment Only).Email: [email protected]
Tel: +(44)2070888472
Subscribe
Please complete and submit the form below to subscribe to this journal.By clicking submit, you agree that the information you provide can be used to contact you.You may unsubscribe at any time by sending an email to '[email protected]' and stating that you wish to be removed from the subscription list.
Subscribers receive occasional reflections connected to my ongoing legal research. I write only when there is something considered to share.
Submissions
A Call for Papers
Submissions from students, academics, and practitioners on contemporary issues in UK law are welcome.
Menara Aspen Advisory Journal provides immediate open access to the Version of Record for all peer-reviewed articles. Authors retain copyright of their work, which is published under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) licence.
Submission Guidelines
Length: All articles must be at least 1000 words long
Citations: All citations and referencing must strictly follow the OSCOLA (Oxford Standard for Citation of Legal Authorities)
Abstract: Every submission must include a concise abstract (approx. 100-150 words)
Keywords: Each submission must include at least 4–6 keywords for indexing purposes.
Key Insights: For articles exceeding 4,000 words, authors must provide a "Key Insights" summary (3–5 bullet points) highlighting the article's core findings or practical implications.
Quotations and Interpolations: Direct quotations must be exact facsimiles of the original source. Authors must use square brackets for any editorial interpolations, alterations (such as changing a letter’s case), or notes (e.g., [sic]) within a quotation. Parentheses (round brackets) should be reserved for incidental notes or supplemental information within the author's own narrative text.
Omissions: To omit words from a quotation, use an ellipsis (...). There should be a space before and after the ellipsis, but do not place it in square brackets.
Quotations and Extracts: Direct quotations must be exact facsimiles of the original in orthography. Use single quotation marks for extracts of fewer than 50 words.Use double quotation marks for quotations within those extracts.
Extracts exceeding 50 words should be presented as a block quotation: indented from the left margin, with a line of space above and below, and without quotation marks.Any editorial comments, interpolations, or notes (such as [sic]) must appear in square brackets. Omissions should be indicated by an ellipsis (...). If an omission occurs at the end of a sentence, the ellipsis should be followed by a full point (....). Authors must ensure that opening quotation marks (smart quotes) are distinguished from closing quotation marks.
Footnote Markers: Footnote markers should be positioned at the end of the sentence, following the closing punctuation (or after the closing quotation mark for short quotes).
Formatting and Technical Specifications
Typography: Authors must use 'smart' (curly) quotation marks rather than 'straight' (typewriter) marks. Ensure that opening quotation marks are clearly distinguished from closing quotation marks throughout the manuscript.
File Submission and Anonymity
To ensure a blind review, authors must remove all identifying information from the document properties and text before submission*All manuscripts must be submitted as Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) files. To facilitate a blind peer-review process, the file name must not contain the author's name or any personal identifiers. Please name the file using a shortened version of the title followed by the date of creation (e.g., RuleofLaw1504_26). Authors are responsible for ensuring they have uploaded the most recent version of their work.
Manuscript Layout
Typography: Text should be set in 12-point Times New Roman, double-spaced, with margins of at least 2.5 cm.
Alignment: All body text must be left-aligned (unjustified). Do not use manual hyphenation for word breaks at the ends of lines.
Paragraphing: Use a single hard return to conclude headings and paragraphs. New paragraphs should be indented using the Tab key, with the exception of the first paragraph following a heading, which should be flush left.
Section Spacing: Ensure clear additional vertical spacing is provided above and below section headings and indented block quotations.
Punctuation and Spacing
Sentence Spacing: Use only one space following a full stop at the end of a sentence.
Standard Spacing: A single space should follow commas and other punctuation, and precede opening parentheses.
Condensed Formatting: Do not include spaces between initials (e.g., Mr JB Smith) or within contractions and acronyms (e.g., UK).
A manuscript template is available here
Peer Review and Copyright
All submissions undergo a double-blind peer review process overseen by our editorial team and external subject-matter experts.
Authors retain copyright of their work. Published articles are released under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) licence, allowing for the broad sharing of research while ensuring the original author is fully credited.
Fees
For information regarding fees, please see our fees page for detailed information.
How to Submit an Article
Please complete the form below to submit a manuscript
Fees
Article Processing Charges (APC)
There are no fees to submit a manuscript or to have it peer-reviewed.
Menara Aspen Advisory believes in evaluating research based on its merit alone.
If—and only if—your manuscript is accepted for publication following our rigorous peer-review process, a one-time fee of £500 is required. This fee covers the costs of DOI registration, digital hosting, and ensuring your work remains Open Access (free to read) for the global legal community forever.
This fee covers the costs of digital hosting, and ensuring your work remains Open Access (free to read) for the global legal community forever.
Menara Aspen Advisory is committed to ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent the publication of high-quality legal research. We offer a full waiver to authors from World Bank 'Low-Income' countries. Authors from other backgrounds who lack institutional funding may apply for a discretionary waiver by submitting a brief 'Hardship Letter' alongside their manuscript.
| Author Category | Article Processing Charge | Required Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Author | £500 | N/A |
| Low-Income Economy | 100% Waiver (Free) | Instituional address in eligible country |
| UK Student | £150 | Valid Student ID / Supervisor Letter |
| Independent Scholar | Waiver | Signed Hardship Letter |
| Unfunded Academic | Waiver | Letter from Department Head confirming no funds |
To maintain the sustainability of [Journal Name], we allocate a specific budget for discretionary waivers in each issue. These are assigned based on merit and financial need. We encourage authors to apply for a waiver at the earliest possible stage of the submission process.
Please note that discretionary waivers are limited in number and are granted on a first-come, first-served basis per issue. We recommend applying for a waiver at the point of submission to ensure consideration within our current budgetary cycle.
Menara Aspen Advisory looks forward to reading your articles.
Success
Thank you for your submission!
Our editorial team will now conduct an initial screening.
You will receive an update regarding the peer-review status of your manuscript within 21 days."
To view the full list of articles in this journal, please click on the link below
Research Resources and Author Support
To support our contributors in producing high-quality legal scholarship, we have curated a directory of essential research tools. While [Journal Name] does not provide direct access to commercial subscription services, we encourage authors to utilize these authoritative databases and institutional resources.
CORE RESOURCES
Cases: BAILII
Statutes: Legislation.gov.uk
Citations: OSCOLA
Journals: DOAJ
For practitioner texts: WESTLAW. and LEXIS NEXIS
COMMERCIAL LAWFINANCIAL CONDUCT AUTHORITY HANDBOOK - Complete record of rules for financial services and guidance in the UKCOMPANIES HOUSE - Essential for searching corporate governance data
THE GAZETTE - The official public record for insolvency notices
CRIMINAL LAWCPS LEGAL GUIDANCE - Comprehensive information on how specific crimes are charged and the evidential standards required.Sentencing Council Guidelines - The definitive starting point for understanding how judges determine the severity of a sentence.Criminal Law Review Sweet & Maxwell - Though a paid journal, its index is a vital reference for any criminal law academic.
FAMILY LAWFAMILY COURT PRACTICE - THE RED BOOK - The leading reference for family proceedings (direct users to their institutional access for the full text).GUIDANCE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE FAMILY DIVISION. TRANSFER OF PROCEEDINGS - Official updates on practice directions for children and matrimonial cases.
HUMAN RIGHTSHUDOC EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS] - The massive, searchable database for every judgment, advisory opinion, and report from the ECHR. Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC): Provides statutory codes of practice on the Equality Act 2010.[[Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)]{BLUE}](https://www.equalityhumanrights.com)] - Provides statutory codes of practice on the Equality Act 2010.
PROPERTY AND LAND LAWHM Land Registry Practice Guides] - Highly detailed technical guides on the law regarding land registration, transfers, and charges.
Decisions and guidance on residential property, land registration, and agricultural land disputes.Law of Property Act 1925Land Registration Act 2002Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996Megarry and Wade The Law of Real Property - Widely considered the most authoritative practitioner text in the field.Gray & Gray: Elements of Land Law - A massive, encyclopedic academic text that is frequently cited by judges.McFarlane, Hopkins and Nield: Land Law - The most succinct, high-level textbook available in this area, allowing students to focus on gaining a sophisticated and thorough understanding of the core elements.
First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) - Dispute Resolution
Reform and Future Law - Law Commission Reports
INTERNATIONAL LAWMax Planck Encyclopaedia of Public International Law - While a subscription is needed for full text, their Law Blogs and public summaries provide the best academic overviews of complex topics.Primary Treaties - The "Global Registry." Use this for the official text of any international convention or multilateral agreement.
ICJ DECISIONS - he official archive of the International Court of Justice. Essential for cases regarding state sovereignty and territory.Legal News / Analysis - A high-level daily commentary blog on emerging international legal issues.
Articles
Below is the complete list of articles published in the Menara Aspen Advisory Journal, organised by volume.
Please click on the links for access.
Volume 4
- (1) Separation of Powers (January 2026)
- (2) Factually Ambiguous, Legally Delicate (January 2026)
- (3) Misrepresentation (January 2026)
- (4) AI, Confidentiality, and the Future of Legal Privilege (February 2026)
- (5) Does Practical Benefit Constitute Good Consideration? A Critical Analysis of the Variation in MegaGames Ltd v Premier Bank (March 2026)
- (6) Autonomy and Accountability: Is Doctrinal Certainty Costing Us Commercial Integrity? (April 2026)
- (7) Mazur, Regulation, and the Sociology of Legal Practice: A Ruling Analysis
- (8)Consumer Rights in Online and Market Stall Transactions: A Comprehensive Analysis of Statutory and Common Law Protections in the United Kingdom
Volume 3
- (1) Reliance and Context: The Pillars of Misrepresentation (March 2025)
- (2) Freedom of Speech: An analysis of the Evidentiary Tensions (July 2025)
- (3) ADR in Cross Border Contracts (September 2025)
- (4) Article 25: Reconciling its interpretative divergence in the CISG (October 2025)
- (5) Legal Pluralism and the Problem of Overriding Mandatory Rules (October 2025)
- (6) Can Autonomy Survive Trumps Tariffs? (October 2025)
- (7) Intestacy, Co‑Ownership and Inheritance Tax: A Doctrinal Analysis of Succession Outcomes in Modern Family Structures
- (8) Reconceptualizing the Law of Wills: An Analysis of the Law Commission’s Reform Proposals (December 2025)
- (9) Reimagining the Criminal Justice System: A structural case for hybrid trials in England and Wales (December 2025)
- (10) The Complexities of the Promotion of Harmonisation in International Trade Law
Volume 1
- (1) Piercing the Corporate Veil: Illusion, Reality or Alternative Remedy? part 1 of 2 (July 2023)
- (2) Shares (July 2023)
- (3) Piercing the Corporate Veil: Illusion Reality or Alternative Remedy? part 2 of 2 (July 2023)
- (4) Equity Investment, Control, and Secured Lending in Private Companies: A Doctrinal Analysis (August 2023)
Journal
Copyright & Permissions
Notice
All written content on this website is the author's original work and is protected by copyright. This includes essays, articles, reflections, commentary, and any other text published here.
Use of ContentAuthors retain the copyright to their work and grant the Menara Aspen Advisory Journal the right of first publication. All articles are published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence.
This allows others to share, copy, and adapt the work, provided the original author and source are appropriately credited.
If you would like to request permission to use or reference my work beyond the allowances above, please email [email protected] with details of your intended use.
Respect for Creative WorkThis website exists to share original writing. Thank you for respecting the time, thought, and creative labour that goes into each piece.
Legal Notices
1. Privacy Policy and Data Protection
The Menara Aspen Advisory Journal is committed to protecting your privacy. This policy explains how personal data is handled in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.Data Controller:
This website is operated by Elaine Obika at Menara Aspen Advisory Ltd, based in the United Kingdom. For data protection inquiries, please use our website contact form.Information Collected:
We only collect minimal personal data. This includes information you explicitly provide (such as your name and email address when using our contact form) and automated technical data (such as anonymous IP addresses collected via server logs).Lawful Basis for Processing:
We process your contact details based on our Legitimate Interests to respond to your direct inquiries and maintain correspondence.Data Sharing & Retention:
Your personal information is strictly confidential. We never sell, trade, or share your data with third parties. Contact form messages are retained only as long as necessary to resolve your inquiry and are routinely deleted after [e.g., 6 months / 1 year].Your Rights:
Under the UK GDPR, you have the right to access, rectify, or request the erasure of your personal data. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
2. Cookie Policy
This website uses cookies to ensure basic functionality and to collect anonymous user analytics.Essential Cookies:
These are necessary for the website to load securely and function correctly. They do not track you.Analytics Cookies:
We use anonymous analytics cookies to see which academic articles are read most frequently. These do not collect personal identifying information.Consent:
We deploy a cookie consent banner. Non-essential tracking or analytics cookies are only dropped onto your device if you explicitly click "Accept". You can also manage or disable cookies via your browser settings at any time.
3. Editorial Standards and Disclaimer
3.1. Academic and Educational Purpose
All articles published in the Menara Aspen Advisory Journal undergo rigorous research and are prepared to high academic standards, utilizing the Oxford Standard for Citation of Legal Authorities (OSCOLA) for precise source referencing. However, the content published herein is intended solely for general scholarly, educational, and academic research purposes.
3.2. No Legal or Professional AdviceThe analysis, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in these articles reflect advanced academic commentary and legal theory. Nothing contained on this website or within any published article constitutes formal legal, financial, or professional advice. Transmission or receipt of these materials does not create an advocate-client, advisory, or professional relationship. Readers must not rely on the text as a substitute for independent, case-specific legal counsel
3.3. Temporal Accuracy and Legal UpdatesLegal frameworks, statutes, and case law in the United Kingdom are subject to frequent change. Every article reflects the state of the law and the research available at the specific time of its publication. Neither the author nor the Journal undertakes an obligation to update past publications to reflect subsequent legislative changes or judicial precedents.
3.4. Copyright and Open Access LicensingAuthors retain the copyright to their work and grant the Menara Aspen Advisory Journal the right of first publication. All articles are published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence. This allows others to share, copy, and adapt the work, provided the original author and source are appropriately credited using the provided OSCOLA citation format.
4. Fraud & Scams
The Menara Aspen Advisory Journal does not contact individuals asking for money, personal information, or payment details. If you receive a message or email claiming to be from this publication that asks for financial information or seems suspicious, please ignore it and report it to us directly through our official website contact form.
5. Accessibility
We aim to make this website accessible to all users, working towards compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). If you experience any difficulty accessing our academic articles or website content, please contact us and we will do our best to provide the material in an alternative format.
eMAAJ ARK Persistence Policy
Menara Aspen Advisory is committed to maintaining the persistence of all ARK identifiers assigned to the eMAAJ journal and its associated publications.We guarantee that:ARKs will continue to resolve to valid, accessible landing pages.If URLs or website structures change, ARK target URLs will be updated accordingly.ARKs will not be reassigned or deleted.Metadata associated with ARKs will remain available for long‑term reference.Our ARKs follow the pattern as below:
ark:/NAAN/eMAAJ-category-NN
and resolve via
https://n2t.net/ark:/NAAN/${value}