The University of Cagliari was founded at the beginning of the 17th century. During the celebration of the parliament in Sardinia in 1602, convened by Viceroy Count d’Elda, the city of Cagliari re-submitted its request (which had already been unsuccessful in 1543) to establish a “General Study” in Cagliari, this time receiving a favourable opinion. The individual chapters presented by the Stamenti were issued by royal decrees in 1603.

According to a recent interpretation, papal approval was issued by Pope Paul V Borghese via Papal Bull dated 12 February 1607. The Papal Bull established a “University of General Studies” in Cagliari with Faculties for the study of Latin and Greek literature, the liberal arts, law, medicine, philosophy and other lawful sciences.

The Faculty of Law, therefore, was founded together with the establishment of the University. In 1626 (the year the university actually started its academic activities), the jurist Giovanni Dexart drafted the “constitutions”, at the invitation of the Municipality of Cagliari, which also had the authority to appoint the Rector. Six chairs were set up for the Faculty of Law: two chairs of Institutions (civil law and canon law), two chairs of Digest and another two chairs of Decretals (i.e. canon law).  Unfortunately though, the University did not have an easy life, as a result of the political events during the late 17th and early 18th centuries, and especially due to its financial straits.  After Sardinia fell under the Savoy domination, the situation did not improve, except under the reign of King Charles Emmanuel III, who regulated the school systems and particularly those of the University.

Indeed, with the constitutions of 28 June 1764 (Title VIII, of canon and civil laws), a new system was set up at the Faculty of Law, with more modern programmes. The University of Cagliari certainly flourished during this period and, with the support of Minister Bogino, hosted a considerable number of highly distinguished professors. The construction of the current Palazzo del Rettorato (Rectorate Palace) also dates back to this period. Designed by architect Belgrano di Famolasco, it was home to all of the Faculties of the University of Cagliari.

After 1848, the University of Cagliari and consequently the Faculty of Law shared the same course of events of the other Universities in the Kingdom of Savoy. With Royal Decree of 16 August 1850, a chair was established for “the teaching of aspiring notaries and legal advisors”.

In the meantime, many new teachings were introduced in the Faculty of Law, although certain subjects had yet to be added, such as Administrative Law (set up in 1871), International Law and Political Economy. It was not until the issue of Royal Decree of 22 October 1885, which approved the new special regulations of the Faculty of Law, that the system of studies reached eighteen teachings.

In November 1902, the “Economic-Legal Institute” was established at the Faculty of Law; its library counted 900 books and 300 pamphlets and its activity simply consisted of lending books and offering practical lessons. The Faculty Council resolution dated 2 July 1909 approved the periodical publication of an annual volume entitled “Economic-legal studies”.  This publication is still being released and has reached vol. 56. The conditions of the premises used by the Faculty at the beginning of the century were certainly not the best. In 1955, with the construction of those in Viale Frà Ignazio, the Faculty acquired its own premises, which were soon insufficient given the growing number of enrolled students, reaching 6,034 students in academic year 1997-1998 (5 November 1997). In academic year 1913-14, the Faculty had indeed only two classrooms for delivering lectures, in addition to one for the Economic-Legal Institute, for a total of 107 students (it was the most attended Faculty of the University). The situation was partly resolved after the 1920s, with the transfer of certain Institutes from the Rectorate to other premises. The Faculty was therefore able to use other classrooms.

In 1923, with the Gentile Law, the University of Cagliari finally achieved its dream of being assigned to the category of Privileged Universities, at the total expense of the State. A forensic seminary was established at the Faculty of Law, annexed to the Economic-Legal Institute. Furthermore, in 1934, a degree programme in Political Science was added, which became a Faculty of its own in 1970.

The Department of Law was established on 1 January 2012, in implementation of the amendments to the University Statute adopted following Law no. 240 of 2010. The Department is directly in keeping with the historical and cultural tradition founded by the Faculty of Law. Today, the Department of Law’s ambition is to continue its tradition of training law experts that are capable of operating at national and international levels. It offers study programmes focused on the training needs of students and aimed at fostering graduates’ quick entry into the world of work, in compliance with strict quality standards.