The History of the Establishment of Kutafin Moscow State Law University (MSAL): Its First Director

The paper addresses the administration of the Central Correspondence Courses in Soviet Law (TsZKSP) during the first years of their work, 1931–1932, as a precursor to the Kutafin Moscow State Law University (MSAL). The author examines the history and underlying concept of the Courses' establishment and identifies their first director. Drawing on archival materials and printed publications of the 1930s, the study demonstrates that, from the autumn of 1931, the TsZKSP effectively operated within the Moscow Institute of Soviet Law (MISP), and that P. I. Stuchka headed the Courses from December 1931 to January 1932. Subsequently, no later than March 1932, S. L. Liberman was appointed as the Head of the TsZKSP and was substituted by A. P. Saveliev in July 1932. The study is significant for establishing the circumstances surrounding the foundation of the Kutafin Moscow State Law University (MSAL) and identifying its leadership during the Institution's formative years, 1931–1935.