The International Association of Legal Science (I.A.L.S.) was established in July 1950, with a view to promoting the development of legal science throughout the world, by using in particular the comparative method.

From July 1950 to March1955, the Association was known by the name of International Committee of Comparative Law (I.C.C.L.). Consequently, the documents published by the Association or under its auspices prior to march 1955 appeared under that name. Since 1955, the International Committee of Comparative Law acts as the Executive Committee of the Association.

The Association operates under the auspices of UNESCO and of the International Social Science Council, of which it is a founding member.