Academy for German Law

The Academy for German Law was an institute for legal research and reform founded on 26 June 1933 in Nazi Germany. After suspending its operations during the Second World War in August 1944, it was abolished after the fall of the Nazi regime on 8 May 1945. Origins The academy was founded on the initiative of Hans Frank, the head of the Reich Legal Department (Reichsrechtabteilung) in the Nazi Party's national leadership (Reichsleitung) and, at the time, also the Bavarian Minister of Justice. It was originally established as a public corporation on 22 September 1933 by a Bavarian state law, and was subordinated to the Bavarian State Ministry of Justice. The inaugural meeting was held on 2 October 1933 in Leipzig at the "German Lawyers' Day" conference of the National Socialist Association of Legal Professionals, which Frank had headed since 1928. Frank next sought to expand the academy's scope to all of Germany. Subsequently, through enactment of a national law by the Reichstag on 11 July 1934, the academy became a public corporation of the Third Reich. It was jointly supervised by the Reich ministries of Justice and the Interior. Functions The academy generally was charged with promoting reform of German legal life by working in liaison with legislative bodies to implement the Nazi program in the fields of law and economics. Among the academy's specific tasks were: (1) composition, initiation and preparation of draft laws, (2) rejuvenating and unifying training in jurisprudence and political science, (3) editing and supporting publications, (4) financing and assisting research work in law and political economy, (5) organizing conferences and training courses, and (6) cultivation of relations with similar institutions abroad. Organization and leadership The academy was originally headed by a leiter at the head of a führerrat, or leadership council. In accordance with the provisions of the July 1934 law, on 9 August the chief executive was given the title of Präsident. He was assisted by a Vizepräsident and a präsidium, or standing executive committee, which oversaw and controlled Academy activities between plenary sessions. Apart from the two top executives, other ex officio members of the präsidium included the Treasurer, the Director of Legal and Policy Work, the Reich Justice and Interior Ministers and the head of the Reich Chancellery.