2026Q1 Reports: CL Journal

Submission rate from 2023

year submitted

2023 218

2024 273

2025 494

2026 191, so far

Time to first Decision

As of 2026 – Time to first Decision

Average time to First Decision with Desk rejects: 11.7

Average time to First Decision without Desk rejects: 60.7

• note that, because we have a range of paper lengths, the reviewing process can be as short as 3 weeks or as long at 5-6 weeks, depending on the size of the submission.

2025 – Time to first Decision

Average time to First Decision with Desk rejects: 14.5

Average time to First Decision without Desk rejects: 57.7

Acceptance Rate

2024: 12.0% (46 accepted, 337 declined)

2025: 8.9% (42 accepted, 432 declined)

2026: 8.0% (14 accepted, 161 declined)

New Initiatives

We have two new initiatives: Distinguished Reviewer Recognition and High Impact Paper Award.

Many thanks to the action editors, regular reviewing team, the guest reviewers, and our editorial assistant (Cindy) as well for helping to keep the reviewing process timely. The submission rate continues to climb and we will be recruiting rigorously in coming months.