The department was established by the University in the year 1965, in order to cater to the growing demands of post graduate legal education in the country under the stewardship of Prof. Dr. S. K. Agrawala.

The untiring efforts of Prof. Agrawala, as a founder head of the department, richly enabled the department to earn its reputation in national and international academic circles as a centre of excellence. Over the years, in tune with the line of research established by its founder, the department has remained in the forefront, developing its research programmes in tune with contemporary realities and the need of legal education in the country.

In tune with global standards the teaching techniques and its research of a high degree imparted with precision has enabled the department to be rated as one of the best educational institutions both nationally and internationally. The constant endeavors of the department to meet the standards of legal education across the borders impressed the Association of Commonwealth Universities to rate the department as the Fifth Best department in the Commonwealth of Nations in the field of legal education.

In line with its reputation, to focus on contemporary social requirements and realities, the department over the years, has adopted a number of thrust areas in its PG Programme. In tune with the UGC’s mandate the department has introduced one year LL.M programme from academic year 2013-2014 with Choice based credit system. It is a matter of pride and happiness that the Savitribai Phule Pune University’s law department is the only PG department amongst the State Universities in Maharashtra, which offers one year LL.M programme. Accordingly, it has shifted its focus to highlight the inter relationship of Law with Science and Technology, Human Rights, Intellectual Property Rights, Consumer Law, International Trade and Commercial Law, International Law, Constitution and Administrative Law and Criminal Law aspects. The faculties at the department upgrade the syllabus periodically to meet the new challenges and exigencies in the concerned area of Law. Since its establishment, the department over the years has awarded more than hundred doctorates on various facets of law.