The Department of Legal Studies, as a separate department of the government, came into existence on January 7, 1953, to improve the quality of legal education in Tamil Nadu.

The Madras Law College was the only college under its control at that time. To meet the long felt needs of the southern districts of Tamilnadu, the Government decided to establish a Law College at Madurai in 1974.

The blueprint of the college was prepared by the then Director of Legal Studies, Prof.A.Palaniswamy and Government Law College affiliated to the Madurai Kamaraj University started functioning from the academic year 1974-75.

The initial and organizational arrangements of the college were done by Prof.C.Rajaraman M.A.LL.B(Cantab) Bar-at-Law, then Director of legal studies in charge who was appointed by the Government as the Special Officer for the purpose.

Initially, the college was housed at the Old University Building on Alagarkoil Road, Tallakulam, Madurai -2. In July 1980, the college was shifted to the new Building at Dr. Thangaraj Road, K.K.Nagar, Madurai.

It is also approved by the Bar Council Of India and state government to run the 3 year and 5year Law courses.