The National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS) was established by Act 27 of 2005 of the Kerala State Legislature. By the same Act, the National Institute for Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) established by the Bar Council of Kerala Trust in 2002 merged with the NUALS. In 2008, an amendment streamlined the powers and functions of the authorities of the University and ensured the active involvement of the Government of Kerala.The University is recognized by the University Grants Commission under section 2(f) and section 12B of the UGC Act.It is also a member of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
To make the study of law relevant to social needs and to encourage focused research, the University has established the following centres of study and research:
- Inter Disciplinary Centre for Police Studies
- Centre for Parliamentary Studies and Law Reforms
- Centre for Law and Development
- Centre for Law and Agriculture
- Centre for Continuing Legal Education and Extension (CCLEE)
- Centre for Environment and Law
- Centre for Consumer Protection Law and Policy
- Centre for Women and Family Studies
- Centre for Intellectual Property Rights (CIPR)
- Centre for Human Rights (CHR)
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Social Justice
- Centre for Law and Economics
- Centre For Health Law And Policy
- Centre for Competition Law and Policy
- The Centre For Sports Law
- Centre for Post Graduate Legal Studies
