Founded in 1776 by Empress Maria Theresa as part of her comprehensive reforms in the system of education in the Habsburg monarchy,[2] it is the oldest continually-operating law school in Croatia and all of Southeast Europe.

After the dissolution of the Society of Jesus, Empress Maria Theresa took the sweeping reforms in the educational system of the Habsburg Monarchy.

Regia Scientiarum Acaemia) as the highest educational institution in Kingdoms of Croatia and Slavonia.

At the time, the Faculty had four departments: canon law (ius canonicum), general international public law (ius gentium et ius publicum universale), civil and law theory (Institutiones iuris civilis iuris et Patria teheoretici) and political-cameral sciences (politia qui accesserit studios cameralia quoque ac aeconomica).

In the period between the two world wars, Faculty managed to retain its identity and attribute of the leading in the country despite many difficulties.

With the introduction of the Bologna process in 2005 integrated study for a graduate lawyer was extended to five years.