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Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University

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Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University (Ukrainian: Національний юридичний університет імені Ярослава Мудрого) is a self-governing state higher law educational establishment of the IV level of accreditation, a national university, located in Kharkiv, Ukraine, named after Yaroslav the Wise. National Law University is the largest law school in Ukraine,[5] which includes 10 faculties, institutes and colleges located in Kharkiv and Poltava.[6]

Yaroslav Mudryi
National Law University
Національний юридичний університет імені Ярослава Мудрого
Coat of arms
Former names
List
  • Department of Moral and Political Sciences of Kharkiv University (1804–1835)
  • Faculty of Law of the Imperial Kharkiv University (1835–1920)
  • Institute of National Economy (1920–1930)
  • Institute of Soviet Construction and Law (1930—1933)
  • Ukrainian Communist Institute of Soviet Construction and Law (1933—1937)
  • Kharkiv Law Institute (1937—1991)
  • National Law Academy of Ukraine (1991—1995)
  • Yaroslav Mudryi National Law Academy of Ukraine (1994—2010)
  • National University «Yaroslav Mudryi Law Academy of Ukraine» (2010—2013)
MottoVivat Lex! (Latin)
Хай живе закон! (Ukrainian)
Motto in English
Long live the law!
TypeNational university
Established17 November 1804; 221 years ago (1804-11-17) (as a Department of Moral and Political Sciences of Kharkiv University)
23 September 1930; 95 years ago (1930-09-23) (as a Institute of Soviet Construction and Law)
AffiliationsMinistry of Education and Science of Ukraine
Academic affiliations
IAU, EUA, UNAI
RectorAnatolii Hetman[1]
Academic staff
647[2]
Students9,591[3]
131[4]
Address
Hryhorii Skovoroda Street, 77, 61024
,
Kharkiv
,
Ukraine
CampusUrban
ColorsGold & Silver    
NicknameYurakademiya
Websitenlu.edu.ua
Building details
Головний корпус НЮУ ім. Ярослава Мудрого
University main building
General information
LocationKharkiv, Ukraine
Completed1893
Map

In the rankings of national universities, National Law University is consistently ranked among the top three law schools in Ukraine.[7]

History

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As a separate law school, the institution was established in 1930 as Kharkiv Institute of Soviet Construction and Law. However, its heritage could be traced back to 1804 with establishment of the main city university, the Kharkiv University (now Karazin University).[8]

Imperial Kharkiv University

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The history of the school began in the 19th century by the order of Alexander I with the establishment of the Imperial Kharkiv University on 17 November [O.S. 5 November] 1804 and the Department of Moral and Political Sciences as its part. In 1835 it was officially renamed as the Faculty of Law of the Imperial Kharkiv University.

Faculty and teaching staff of the Faculty of Law of the Imperial University of Kharkiv, 1905

At different times famous lawyers worked here, such as professors M.M. Alekseyenko, L.E. Vladimirov, M.A. Hredeskul, V.P. Danevskyi, I.I. Ditiatin, L.N. Zahurskyi, D.I. Kachenovsky, O.V. Kunitsin, M.O. Kuplevaskyi, O.I. Paliumbetskyi, A.M. Stoianov, M.O. Taube, I.F. Timkovskyi, M.P. Chubinskyi and others.[8]

Kharkiv Commercial School of Emperor Alexander III, 1896

Institute of National Economy/Institute of Soviet Construction and Law

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Graduates and faculty of the All-Ukrainian Communist Institute of Soviet Construction and Law, 1933

In 1920 by the decision of the Soviet government of Ukraine the Kharkiv Institute of National Economy was established on the basis of the Kharkiv Commercial School [uk; ru]. The former Faculty of Law of the Imperial Kharkiv University was transferred to the newly created university.

It was the basis of the Law Institute which trained lawyers for state and economic bodies. The first lecturers of the law faculty – the founders of the Institute – were law professors: V.M. Hordon, V.M. Koretskyi, O.D. Kisilev, V.F. Levitskyi, M.O. Maksimeyko, M.I. Palienko, V.I. Slivitskyi, V.S. Trakhterov and others who worked at the Kharkiv University before. They were holding scientific and teaching positions for many years and made a great contribution into formation and development of law science, lawyers' education and training.

In 1930 The Institute of National Economy, taking into consideration its status of an institute of higher legal education, received a new name: the Institute of Soviet Construction and Law. In May 1933 the institute was renamed into the Ukrainian Communist Institute of Soviet Construction and Law.[8]

Kharkiv Law Institute

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Graduates and lecturers of the Kharkiv Law Institute, 1937

On July 1, 1937, the institution was renamed the Kharkiv Law Institute. Between 1930 and 1937, the institute comprised a preparatory department with full-time and evening courses, a faculty of Soviet construction, a legal (judicial) faculty, a correspondence department, as well as economic-legal and international faculties, both of which were abolished in 1933. The institute trained generalist legal professionals for careers in courts, prosecution, criminal investigation, advocacy, and notary offices.

During the pre-war years, the institute was headed by rectors P. I. Fomin (1920–1923), Ya. O. Sokolin (1923–1926), L. I. Velychko (1926–1929), and Ye. O. Kustolian (1929–1930), and later by directors K. K. Brandt (1930–1931), M. M. Yemynnyk (1931–1932), S. M. Tsarehradskyi (1933–1934), S. M. Kanarskyi (1934–1937), M. I. Levikov (1937), Ye. O. Monastyrskyi (1938–1939), and V. O. Barakhtian (1939–1941). The vice-rectors during this period were Vladimir Koretsky (1921), K. K. Brandt (1924–1926), V. V. Kryvytskyi (1926), Ye. O. Kustolian (1929), H. V. Sodin (1930), M. M. Yemynnyk (1930–1931), D. K. Piatak (1933), M. I. Levikov (1936–1937), and S. L. Fuks (1938–1939).

During this period, the faculty included prominent legal experts, experienced scientists, and educators who made significant contributions to the subsequent development of the institute. Among them were professors R. M. Babun, K. O. Bernovskyi, M. M. Bokarius, S. I. Vilnianskyi, H. I. Volkov, M. V. Gordon, M. M. Hrodzynskyi, M. M. Yemynnyk, S. M. Kanarskyi, V. L. Kobalevskyi, Vladimir Koretsky, S. N. Landkof, S. Ye. Sabinin, A. S. Semenova, Ya. O. Sokolin, O. I. Stroiev, F. M. Tsarehradskyi, and S. L. Fuks.

The establishment of the Kharkiv Law Institute facilitated advancements in legal training and academic research. The institute was tasked with educating generalist legal professionals for careers in law enforcement and other government agencies, which directly shaped its curriculum. Initially, the course on the doctrine of state and law integrated elements of the theory of state and law, the history of state and law, the history of political doctrines, as well as constitutional, administrative, and international law. Over time, this curriculum was refined, leading to the crystallization of distinct academic courses. Independent programs were introduced for Soviet constitutional, administrative, and financial law, and institute graduates began taking state examinations.

At the same time, the educational and scientific work of the institute was significantly affected by the broader context of Stalinist repressions. By the early 1930s, the administrative-command management system and the totalitarian state regime restricted academic initiative, leading to increased censorship and mutual distrust among the faculty. This environment resulted in a sharp decline in academic publications compared to the 1920s, as well as the rise of dogmatism and formalism. The institute was deeply impacted by the purges; several faculty members and students fell victim to the repressions, including former directors S. M. Kanarskyi and M. I. Levikov, who were executed by the NKVD.

The institute's academic operations were disrupted by the German invasion during World War II, during which many pre-war institutional documents were destroyed. Following the outbreak of hostilities on the Eastern Front in June 1941, the faculty and administration mobilized for the war effort. Faculty and students capable of military service joined the Red Army. Notably, V. P. Kolmakov and D. P. Rasieikin left for military units on June 24, 1941, immediately after defending their candidate dissertations. Nearly the entire graduating class of 1941 was sent to the Military Law Academy for specialized training, while 30 female students who had completed nursing courses were deployed to military units and hospitals. Several faculty members served in the military justice system, including V. O. Barakhtian and L. Ye. Orel in the military tribunal, and M. Yo. Baru in the military prosecutor's office.

Following the Axis occupation of Kharkiv, the institute temporarily suspended its operations. In August 1941, through an agreement with the People's Commissariat of Justice of the USSR (Narkomiust), several professors were evacuated to legal higher education institutions in the Soviet rear. S. L. Fuks and V. I. Slyvytskyi were transferred to the Alma-Ata Institute of Law, S. I. Vilnianskyi to the Saratov Institute of Law, M. V. Gordon and Vladimir Koretsky to the Tashkent Institute of Law, M. M. Hrodzynskyi to the All-Union Institute of Legal Sciences (temporarily relocated to Chkalov), and O. M. Yakuba to the Sverdlovsk Institute of Law.

On August 23, 1943, Kharkiv was liberated from German occupation. On September 25, the All-Union Committee for Higher Education and the People's Commissariat of Justice of the USSR issued a joint decree to resume the operations of the Kharkiv Law Institute. On November 4, 1943, the Council of People's Commissars of the Ukrainian SSR (Radnarkom) approved an order recalling the institute's director, V. O. Barakhtian, from the active army. He was dispatched to the People's Commissariat of Justice of the Ukrainian SSR in Kharkiv to restore the educational infrastructure and organize a new student enrollment. The task was complex, as the institute's primary building, library, and two dormitories had been largely destroyed or looted during the war. Despite these losses, the institution managed to resume its activities.

In October 1943, S. I. Vilnianskyi returned from evacuation and was reappointed as the deputy director for academic and scientific affairs, a position he had held prior to the war. Shortly thereafter, professors M. V. Gordon, M. M. Hrodzynskyi, Vladimir Koretsky, V. I. Slyvytskyi, and S. L. Fuks, along with associate professors A. L. Ryvlin, O. M. Yakuba, and others, also returned to Kharkiv.

Throughout 1943 and 1944, the core pre-war faculty returned from the front lines and evacuation zones. By the beginning of the 1944/1945 academic year, the institute employed 42 instructors. However, several faculty members were killed in action during the war, including candidates of legal sciences I. N. Bekker and M. K. Pochapskyi, as well as senior lecturer P. A. Rudyk.

On the 20th anniversary of the victory in Europe, an Alley of Memory was established in the institute's courtyard to honor the faculty, staff, and students who lost their lives in the war. In 1970, a monument funded by donations from the institute's staff and students was unveiled to commemorate the defenders.

Alongside their teaching responsibilities and the mentorship of new academic generations, the institute's scholars conducted diverse research and provided extensive assistance to the legislative, judicial, and law enforcement agencies of the Ukrainian SSR. They actively participated in the second codification of Ukrainian law during the late 1950s and early 1960s. Many researchers joined working groups tasked with drafting the Civil, Civil Procedure, Criminal, and Criminal Procedure Codes, as well as the Code on Marriage, Family, and Guardianship, and the Labour Code, among others. Their contributions to the codification of Ukrainian legislation received high recognition from both the government and the legal community.

The interior of the main building of the Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University

In 1962, Associate Professor V. P. Maslov was appointed rector of the Kharkiv Law Institute, a position he held for 25 years until 1987. He later earned his Doctor of Legal Sciences degree, became a professor, and was elected a corresponding member of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR in 1985. Under his leadership, the institute expanded its academic staff and enhanced its research capabilities. During this period, the positions of vice-rector for research were held by I. M. Danshyn (1968–1973), V. Ya. Tatsiy (1973–1987), and M. I. Panov (1987–2007). The vice-rectors for academic affairs were V. A. Lomako (1974–1980), O. I. Protsevskyi (1981–1986), V. L. Musiiaka (1986–1988), V. P. Tykhyi (1996), A. P. Hetman (2001–2007), and Yu. P. Bytiak (2007–2010).

The growth of the institute and the expansion of its educational and material infrastructure necessitated further structural and administrative reorganization. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, four independent full-time faculties were established: an investigative-prosecutorial faculty for the prosecution service of Ukraine, a second investigative-prosecutorial faculty for graduates entering the prosecution systems of other Soviet republics, an investigative-criminalistic faculty to train personnel for internal affairs agencies, and later, a faculty for judicial professionals.

In July 1987, Doctor of Legal Sciences, Professor Vasyl Tatsiy became the head of the Kharkiv Law Institute. During his tenure of more than 30 years (1987–2020), he oversaw the institutional development of the university, the expansion of its faculty, and the modernization of its research and educational infrastructure, while also enhancing its international relations and financial stability.[8]

National Law Academy of Ukraine

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A monument to Yaroslav the Wise inside the main building of Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University

In accordance with the resolution of Council of Ministers of the Ukrainian SSR of 20 March 1991 the Kharkiv Law Institute was rearranged into the National Law Academy of Ukraine. Under the president's decree of 30 March 1995 No. 267 the academy was given the status of the national self-governed (autonomous) state higher educational establishment and by decree of 4 November 1995 the name of Yaroslav the Wise. In accordance with the decree of the President of Ukraine No. 457 21 May 2001 «The question of Yaroslav Mudryi National Law Academy of Ukraine», recognizing its considerable role in training specialists for bodies of state authorities, law enforcement organs, various fields of law practice, considering the necessity of keeping and further development of generated scientific schools in the academy, it was given additional rights with the approval of statute by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. In accordance with the decree of the president of Ukraine No. 485 25 May 2009 and the resolution of Cabinet of Ministers No. 796 29 July 2009, «The question of Yaroslav Mudryi National Law Academy of Ukraine» the academy was given the status of a self-governed (autonomous) scientific national higher educational establishment, which carried out their activity in accordance with its statute with the right to:

  • set up a research institute of legal science;
  • take final decisions on awarding scientific degrees and titles;
  • realize experimental educational plans and programs for training specialists for state authority bodies, organs of local government, law enforcement organs, various fields of legal practice, research and educational staff.

In accordance with the decree of the president of Ukraine #1194/2010 24 December 2010 and the resolution of Cabinet of Ministers # 2213-p of 8 December 2010, Yaroslav Mudryi National Law Academy of Ukraine was renamed into National University "Yaroslav Mudryi National Law Academy of Ukraine".

By order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine dated 04.12.2013 No. 1697, it was renamed Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University.[8]

Damage to the National Academy of Legal Sciences after the missile attack on Kharkiv, 23 January 2024.

On January 23, 2024, the university buildings, along with those of the National Academy of Legal Sciences of Ukraine, were damaged following an S-300 missile strike on Kharkiv.[9] Three days after the attack, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov announced intentions to rename the street in honor of Hryhorii Skovoroda.[10] On January 26, the Kharkiv City Council officially approved the decision during its session.[11] Following the renaming of Pushkinska Street, the renaming of the Pushkinska metro station was also proposed.[12] On April 26, 2024, following a public poll conducted on the City Council's website, the station was officially renamed Yaroslava Mudroho.[13]

In May 2025, the university, along with eight other Ukrainian higher military educational institutions, was integrated into the European Security and Defence College (ESDC) network.[14]

Campuses and buildings

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Palace of Students of the Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University

The main academic premise is of 22,000.00 square meters, located in Kharkiv on Hryhorii Skovoroda Street, 77; architect Alexei Beketov built it in 1893. There are 26 departments, 8 lecture halls, sports premises and halls, 2 computer rooms, and library with reading rooms, equipped with computer networks, 2 halls of the Academic Council and the administrative units of the university.

Criminalistics Department building is of 3,000.00 square meters, located on Hryhorii Skovoroda Street, 84; it has 3 lecture halls, 4 photo-laboratories, 2 computer labs, Internet-studio video center, museum and forensic testing ground,

These educational buildings are architectural monuments. The educational building located on Hryhorii Skovoroda Street, 79/2 (2,700.00 square meters) has 5 lecture halls, classrooms, computer lab.

Premise of Crimean Law Institute with total area of 4,000.00 square meters has 4 lecture halls, lecture rooms, conference hall, library, food catering premises, hostel, sports premises, etc.

Total area of Poltava Law Institute premise is 13,917.00 square meters. There are six lecture halls, classrooms, lab for distance education, two conference rooms, two computer labs, a library, museum of criminology, 9-storied hostel of 5,607.00 square meters adjacent to main building, etc.

Currently University has premises with total area 246,611.07 square meters: 18 premises for education of 111,820.57 square meters including sports and cultural centers; 16 hostels of 113,684.00 square meters for 6861 persons; administrative buildings of 10,793.00 square meters; medical and food catering premises of 10,313.10 square meters.

Profile

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The building of the department of criminology

The academy has significant research and educational potential. Teaching, research and tutorial work are realized by 34 departments, employing more than 800 lecturers. Among them 100 Doctors of Law, professors, about 600 Juris Doctors, associate professors; 1 Full Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine; 15 Full Members of the National Academy of Law Sciences of Ukraine; 20 Corresponding Members of the National Academy of Law Sciences of Ukraine; 15 Honoured Science and Technology Workers; 2 Honoured Art Workers of Ukraine; 1 Honoured Higher School Worker; 15 Honoured Public Education Workers of Ukraine; 14 Honoured Lawyers of Ukraine; 1 Honoured Lawyer of Russia; 1 Honoured Builder of Ukraine; 7 Honoured Professors – Elders of the National Law Academy of Ukraine named after Yaroslav the Wise; 5 Honoured Culture Workers of Ukraine; 5 Honoured Artists of Ukraine; 10 State prize laureates.

Research

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The university carries out scientific research concerning fundamental and applied problems of jurisprudence, apparently 17 targeted complex programs are being developed on four scientific directions, famous scientific schools known in Ukraine and abroad have been formed.

Contribution

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The university makes a major contribution to the perfection of a jural state in Ukraine, improvement of legislative and law enforcement processes. The university's scholars took direct participation in the development of the Constitution of Ukraine currently in force and other laws and normative legal acts, are actively influencing law enforcement practice in the country. The university cooperates with the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Office of the President of Ukraine, Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, ministries and departments, bodies of local government in the legislative field. Many of the university's scholars are consultants, members of consultative councils of the Supreme Court of Ukraine, Higher Economic Court, General Prosecutor's Office, Ministry of Interior Affairs, Central Electoral Commission of Ukraine and others government bodies.

Reputation

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University rankings
Global – Overall
QS World[15]151-200 (2026)
Scientific Library of the Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University

The university takes a leading position in national legal education. It is confirmed by the results of Ukrainian rating of higher educational establishments «Compass», which taking into account the rating of employers and graduates, according to which, the university is the leader among legal educational establishments of Ukraine. The university has been awarded by the Gold Medal of XIII International Exhibition of educational establishments "Modern Education in Ukraine 2010″ in the nomination «Innovations in using IT technologies in the educational process» for the innovative project «Modern architecture of informative educational environmental» (foresight-project); has taken the first prize and awarded by Diploma in the nomination of «Innovation in higher education» for the innovative project «Semantic informative educational portal of the National University "Yaroslav the Wise Law Academy of Ukraine"» in the international exhibition-presentation «Innovation in the education of Ukraine»; has taken the Grand Prize «The Leader of the higher education of Ukraine» in the international exhibition «Modern educational establishments 2010».

International relations

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The university has wide international contacts. It established cooperation and signed agreements with educational establishments of Great Britain, Vietnam, Spain, Germany, Poland, Russia (until 2014), United States, Uzbekistan, France and other countries. It is a participant of joint European projects in the network of «Tempus-Tasis» program and many other international projects.

On 18 September 2004 the university signed the Bologna Process.

On 14 December 2007 the university became the member of the European University Association.

On 20 November 2011 a chapter of the International Law Students Association[16] was established on the basis of the university's international law society.[17]

Structure

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Building on Dynamivska Street

Institutes and faculties

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Departments

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Honorable doctors and famous alumni

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Honored Professors of the Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University

Rectors

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Rectors of the Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ Ownership structure National Law University named after Yaroslav the Wise. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Науково-педагогічний склад". Національний юридичний університет імені Ярослава Мудрого. (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  3. ↑ "National University "Yaroslav the Wise Law Academy of Ukraine" official web page" (in Ukrainian). Archived from the original on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
  4. ↑ "Науково-педагогічний склад". Національний юридичний університет імені Ярослава Мудрого. (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  5. ↑ "Нагороди та рейтинги Університету". Національний юридичний університет імені Ярослава Мудрого. (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  6. ↑ "Iнститути, факультети". Національний юридичний університет імені Ярослава Мудрого. (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  7. ↑ "В Украине определены лучшие юридические университеты. Кто в лидерах — Forbes.ua". forbes.ua (in Russian). 8 September 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 "Історія Університету". Національний юридичний університет імені Ярослава Мудрого. (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  9. ↑ Ємець, Марія Солодовнік, Валерія (24 January 2024). "Академія правових наук та гуртожиток юруніверситету пошкоджені у Харкові". Суспільне | Новини (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 23 March 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. ↑ "Після масованих прильотів у Харкові перейменували вулицю Пушкінську". Зеркало недели | Дзеркало тижня | Mirror Weekly (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  11. ↑ "У Харкові перейменували вулицю Пушкінську та ще 64 об'єкти". www.ukrinform.ua (in Ukrainian). 26 January 2024. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  12. ↑ Ємець, Маргарита Дежкіна, Валерія (11 February 2024). "Перейменування станції метро "Пушкінська" у Харкові: два виші пропонують назви". Суспільне | Новини (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 23 March 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  13. ↑ "У Харкові перейменували станції метро "Пушкінська" та "Південний вокзал"". DUMKA.MEDIA (in Russian). Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  14. ↑ "Навчання за стандартами ЄС: 9 українських військових вишів приєднались до ESDC". РБК-Украина (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  15. ↑ "QS World University Rankings for Law & Legal Studies 2024". Top Universities. 21 March 2025. Retrieved 24 March 2025.
  16. ↑ "Home". ilsa.org.
  17. ↑ "Error | VK".
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