Modern technological development actualizes the study of a number of issues of the theory of law, including those related to the subject of law and legal personality. In this regard, the scientific discussions that have been conducted by scientists about these concepts are of interest. They reveal the main directions of the evolution of Russian theoretical and legal thought, testify to the logic of scientific research and the argumentation given.

The purpose of the study is to identify the main areas of discussion regarding the understanding of the subject of law and legal personality in Soviet legal thought.

To achieve this goal, formal legal and historical methods were used, as well as the analysis of archival documents.

Based on the study of archival materials, the article reveals the substantive aspects of the discussion that took place in 1960 in VIYUN during the discussion of A. V. Mickiewicz's monograph "Subjects of Soviet Socialist Law". The problematic issues that were identified during the discussion of this work at the academic Council are shown. It is concluded that as a result of this and other scientific discussions, a common, consolidated doctrinal position was formed, which eventually determined the main directions and basic ideas of the Soviet theory of law, many provisions of which still remain relevant.