The aim of this article is to analyze the development of research in the field of law. The study begins by criticizing the output in the field, characterizing it as being relatively underdeveloped. The article then presents an analysis of the recent institutionalization of the scientific production that occurs in graduate programs in law and also examines the distribution of resources by funding agencies. The paper adopts the hypothesis that the field of law has distinguishing aspects that should not be underestimated and that it can be strenghened by the inclusion of scientific research.