The Faculty of Law and Political Science at Abbas Laghrour University, Khenchela, has evolved through three main phases in line with the university’s development, as follows:
- From 1999 to 2001, a university annex was established on Batna Road, at the former Faculty of Economics. It consisted of two institutes: one for Legal and Economic Sciences and another for Arabic Literature. This annex was affiliated with the University of Batna.
- The annex was upgraded to a university center under Executive Decree No. 01/270 dated September 18, 2001 (30 Jumada al-Thani 1422 AH), establishing the Khenchela University It comprised several institutes, including the Institute of Legal Sciences, which was renamed in 2007 to the Institute of Legal and Administrative Sciences.
- The institute was initially composed of two departments: Law and Political Science. It started in 2002 with eight assistant professors and 300 students. Today, the number of professors has grown to 92, with over 60% holding a doctorate, and the student body has exceeded 3,600 across various specializations in Law and Political Science at the undergraduate and master’s levels.
- The Khenchela University Center was upgraded to Khenchela University, and the Institute of Legal and Administrative Sciences became the Faculty of Law and Political Science under Executive Decree No. 12/246, dated June 4, 2012 (14 Rajab 1433 AH). The university now comprises six faculties, including the Faculty of Law and Political Science.
- A Doctoral School in International Criminal Law was launched in partnership with the universities of Tebessa, Souk Ahras, and Oum El Bouaghi. Two cohorts were admitted: the first in 2007/2008 with 40 students and the second in 2009/2010 with 40 students. Most students have successfully defended their master’s theses and doctoral dissertations, and many have secured academic positions at their respective universities and other national institutions, with a significant number attaining professorial
- Two master’s programs in Constitutional Law and Criminal Law were launched in 2011/2012 at Khenchela University with 24 students. Most have defended their master’s theses, some have completed their doctorates, and many are now involved in academic supervision at their university and other national institutions.
- Five third-cycle (LMD) doctoral programs were opened under professors of distinguished academic rank in the following specializations: Administrative Law and Public Administration (Prof. Zouagri Tahar, later renewed by Prof. Bouguerra Ismail) , Criminology and Criminal Policy (Prof. Boukemmeche Mohamed), Law specialization (Prof. Lakhdari Abdelmadjid), Political Science specialization (Prof. Yahiaoui Hadia)
- Two Postgraduate Specialized Training (PGS) programs were initiated: Business Criminal Law, led by Dr. BenMekki Nadjet, with 40 positions, Administrative Law and the Modernization of Local Authorities, led by Dr. Ouchene Hanane, These programs commenced in the 2021/2022 academic
- A Legal, Political, and Sharia Research Laboratory was established in 2013 by Prof. Zouwaghri Tahar, consisting of five research teams. Prof. Kasouri Rafika led the laboratory from 2017 to 2024, and currently, Prof. Malekia Nabil is acting as interim director pending an official appointment.
- The Journal of Law and Political Science was launched in 2014 and has now reached its 17th issue. It is classified under category C and is managed by Prof. Zouwaghri Tahar, with Prof. Boukmesh Mohamed as its former editor-in-chief and Prof. Arshoush Sofiane as the current editor-in-chief.
- 23 PRFU research projects have been implemented over the past four years (2019–2022).
- A virtual courtroom has been established and equipped following the Algerian judicial system’s standards, allowing students across all academic levels to conduct practical legal exercises.
- The faculty has organized numerous study days, national symposia, international conferences, and academic seminars on specialized topics in Law and Political Science since its establishment.
