
In 1952, Beijing College of Political Science and Law was established via conglomeration of the disciplines of law, politics and sociology of Peking University, Tsinghua University, Yanjing University and Furen University. Located in the red building of Peking University, the college offer programs related to law, politics, and sociology. Among them, those involving law became the precedent of the present School of Law.
In 1983, the college was integrated with Central School for Political and Legal Cadets to form China University of Political Science and Law (CUPL). In 1985, the department of law, economic law and politics came into being, and the School of Law took shape.
Officially established in 2002, the School of Law is one of the backbone schools of CUPL. Ever since, the School of Law has made a point of equal emphasis on academic innovation and talent cultivation. Consolidating its distinct features, the School has become a stronghold of research in theoretical laws and public laws. Legal history and administrative law boasts top-notch academic prestige and first-class teaching and research capability. Staff in active service include senior experts with fame at home and abroad, overseas returned scholars, practical specialists wellversed in legal theory and practice, as well as a number of youthful discipline leaders and academic cadres with solid theoretical attainment and certain influence in the circle of law.
Over the past 50-odd years, the School of Law has nurtured tens of thousands legal talents for the country. Premier Wen Jiabao paid a visit to CUPL, saying that “China University of Political Science and Law is the cradle of legal talents”. Li Lanqing, Vice Premier, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Political Bureau on his visit to CUPL also said “China University of Political Science and Law is a top institute for legal education in China.”
Reform and innovation is a time-honored tradition of the School of Law. It is the first school to explore ways for improving the structure of internal administration. The first school-level committee of professors was born here. It is also the first school to carry out legal education via practice, the first school to establish practical education and research office. Nonetheless, it is among the first to undertake the pilot project of “Senior Legal Professional Cultivation” trusted by the Ministry of Education in its initiative of education system reform. The School of Law is also one of the schools to win the most projects supported by social fund. It has the only legal clinic in CUPL qualified to act as legal agents.
Construction of rule-of-law needs more joint efforts from the circle of law in contemporary China. The School of Law will continue abide by the motto of “acquiring knowledge of ancient and modern, promoting rule of law in the country”, stick to independent academic characters, and actively nurture excellent legal talents, in its endeavor to forge a first-class school of law.