The article is devoted to the consideration and analysis of the process of formation and implementation of public policy in the field of access to higher legal education, identification of systemic problems in approaches to its formation and development of proposals for further improvement. It is emphasized that the formation of public policy in this area is not sustainable and systematic. The article analyzes the legal status of public authorities responsible for the formation and implementation of public policy in the field of access to higher legal education. It is emphasized that there are conflicts between individual laws regarding the definition of the exhaustive powers of the Ministry of Education and Science to shape public policy in this area. The article also examines the substantive features of public policy in the field of access to higher legal education, provides their characteristics and shortcomings. It is stated that access to higher legal education has a number of significant differences from access to other components of education, in particular due to the special procedure for admission to graduate school, the presence of the minimum required competitive score and others. It also emphasizes the existence of entry trajectories, which allow to enter not only the results of independent exams and may contain corruption risks. Attention is paid to the peculiarities of the formation of public policy in the field of access to higher legal education in martial law. It is stated that there has been a significant change in the admission requirements, but key elements have been preserved. However, there has also been a significant reduction in the requirements for entrants who will receive higher legal education in educational institutions of the Ministry of the Interior. Emphasis is placed on improved public policies in this area and possible solutions are provided.