Vol. 1 No. 2 (2020)

The concept of scientific research is evident across all fields of knowledge, and particularly in legal sciences, when addressing the issues that surface within economic and social life—issues that either lack legal regulation or are governed by existing legislation that suffers from shortcomings, deficiencies, or inefficiencies. As a result, legal solutions may fall short of encompassing new and emerging realities, or the mechanisms of their judicial and executive application may deviate from the intent and objectives of the legislator.

Here arises the role of the researcher, who—armed with scientific and intellectual tools—delves into these problems and potential solutions. The researcher critically examines the substance of these issues and ultimately puts forth opinions that may help guide the legislator in their legislative direction or draw the attention of judges in their rulings and interpretations. Accordingly, every legal researcher becomes part of the broader legal reform system.

This is precisely the idea behind Researcher Journal for Legal Sciences—which is now preparing to issue its second edition. The journal aims to explore issues that impact the legal environment and examine the available or aspirational solutions through research papers that meet rigorous academic and formal publishing standards. Based on this very principle, any submission that does not meet these criteria is transparently and objectively declined for publication, free from personal considerations. This is the journal's policy and it consistently adheres to it.

The articles included in this issue—like those in the previous one—span various branches of public and private law, including constitutional law, financial law, civil law, personal status law, commercial law, and more. They address numerous contemporary and evolving topics, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and its ongoing mutations, whose effects remain evident across social and economic dimensions. This situation has necessitated a new outlook on legal regulation that differs from previously established legal norms.

Among the notable research topics in this issue related to personal status law are:

• The impact of gender correction on personal status matters

• The transfer of moral/intangible assets through wills and inheritance

In the field of commercial law, the issue includes:

• Joint trademarks for airline companies

• Settlement of commercial disputes through conciliation

In labor law, there is research on:

• The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on employment contracts

In the realm of intellectual property, one article examines:

• The protection of biotechnological innovations

Finally, in financial law, two significant topics are addressed:

• The legal framework for local authority funding sources and its challenges in Iraq

• Electronic governance of the state during crises—with COVID-19 as a case study

    Rai Naji Ahmed Editor in Chief