The problem of institutionalization of historical and legal science in the Soviet period is explored, its features, content, and main actors are revealed. The discreteness of the domestic scientific tradition is noted, expressed in serious restrictions for historical and legal science in the 1920-30s, and the establishment of the scientific and educational discipline “History of State and Law of the USSR”.

The purpose of the article is to show the role of S. V. Yushkov in the institutionalization of historical and legal science. The following tasks were set: to determine the content of the institutionalization of science, to highlight its directions and elements; show the organizational, scientific and educational activities of S. V. Yushkov in the cognitive and social institutionalization of the scientific and educational discipline “History of State and Law of the USSR”.

The main research methods were the institutional method for identifying the forms of organization of science, the comparative legal method for comparing various approaches to understanding the key problems of the history of state and law, and the anthropological method for establishing the role of the individual in the development of scientific doctrine.

As a result of the study, the stages of institutionalization of historical and legal science in the Soviet period were identified and the elements that constitute its content were defined. Scientific doctrine, organizational forms in the form of scientific and educational institutions and their structures, the scientific community with established forms of communication are the main elements.

It is shown how S.V. Yushkov, holding educational and scientific positions, actively formed the scientific community, supported various forms of scientific communication, and participated in all major scientific events. In discussions, debates and reviews, he demonstrated high standards of scientific ethics. S. V. Yushkov’s significant contribution to the development of the doctrine of the history of state and law of the USSR, the definition of the subject, methodology, periodization demonstrated.

S. V. Yushkov’s significant contribution to the development of the doctrine of the history of the state and the law of the USSR, the definition of the subject, methodology, and periodization was noted.