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Join the IAFLL

About the IAFLL

What is the IAFLL

The International Association for Forensic and legal Linguistics (IAFLL) is an organization devoted to improving the functioning of legal systems throughout the world by means of inculcating a better understanding of the interaction between language and the law.

Anyone involved in studying, researching, or working in language in a legal context or language used as evidence are invited to apply for membership of IAFLL.

Purpose & Aims

The purpose of the IAFLL is to improve the administration of the legal systems throughout the world by means of a better understanding of the interaction between language and the law. More specifically, the Association aims to promote:

  • The study and analysis of the language used in the law, including the language of legal documents and texts; legal discourse; and the language used in courts, other adjudicative bodies, law-making bodies, policing, and the penal system
  • Application of linguistics-based knowledge to issues and problems that may affect legal systems or be adjudicated within legal systems.
  • Alleviation of language-based inequality and disadvantage in legal systems and institutions, including issues involving legal interpreting and legal translation.
  • The interchange of ideas and information between the legal and linguistics communities.
  • Research regarding best practices and professional ethical standards in expert testimony on linguistics-based issues and in other forms of presentation of linguistics evidence and knowledge in legal systems and to legal institutions.
  • Promotion of better public understanding of the interaction between language and the law.
  • Promotion of practices and policies designed to make legal practices and institutions more accurate, fair, and equitable, serving the public interests.

Further Aims

Furthering the interests of linguists engaged in research on the development and practice of forensic linguistics;

Disseminating knowledge about language analysis and its forensic applications among relevant professionals around the world;

Promoting a Code of Practice addressing such matters as giving testimony in court and writing official reports;

Collecting and making available computer corpora of matters of value to forensic researchers, such as confessions, suicide notes, and police interrogations.

Join a community interested in all aspects
of the investigation of language and the law.

Join the IAFLL
IAFLL Executive Committee – nominations

IAFLL Executive Committee – nominations

The IAFLL is seeking nominations from people who wish to serve on the new Executive Committee, which takes office on 1 August 2025, and runs for a term of two years. The IAFLL Executive Committee consists of nine members: five officers (President, Vice President,...

Call for bids: IAFLL International and Regional Conferences

Call for bids: IAFLL International and Regional Conferences

The IAFLL Executive Committee is seeking bids to host the 2027 Biennial Conference. Proposals should be emailed by 1st March 2024 to Jennifer Glougie (President@iafll.org) and Felicity Deamer (Secretary@iafll.org). Informal enquiries about this event and the potential...

Larry Solan

Dear members After lengthy complications with his health, our dear colleague and friend, Larry Solan, passed away on March 2, 2024. Larry's influence on our community has been profound. We will fondly remember him for his generous mentorship, his influential...