Customary law in the research of M.M. Kovalevsky

Introduction. The article analyses the scientific works of M. M. Kovalevsky devoted to the study of customary law. The article emphasises the high appreciation of the Russian scientist's works by his contemporaries - European scientists of various specialties. He focused on the most complex issues of sociology and social science. Historical, comparative, legal and sociological methods of research were widely used in his works. His studies of the customary laws of the peoples of the Caucasus, their origin and significance brought him worldwide recognition. М. M. Kovalevsky endeavoured to find a solution to the question of the origin of private land ownership.