The Institute of Government and Law Reform (IGLR) is tasked under the 1989 reorganization plan of the U.P. Law Complex to implement the following functions: a) discharge the function of the defunct Code Commission; b) undertake technical studies and researches in law, particularly on projects for reform in the judiciary, public administration, civil rights protection, international relations, and law enforcement, and c) continue projects of popularizing the law by establishing linkages with other institutions for the teaching of elementary knowledge in law by translating legal materials into Filipino and other major dialects of the Philippines. In doing so, it serves in varying degrees the general objectives envisioned for the Law Center, namely, "the advancement of legal scholarship, the protection of human rights with emphasis on the improvement of the legal system, and the administration of justice."

The program being undertaken by the IGLR in pursuance of the above objectives and functions a) Codification of Law; b) Review of and Comments on Pending Legislation; c) Studies and Researches as Bases for Law Reform; d) Opinions and Consultations; e) Conferences, Lectures, Seminar-Workshops, and Extension Services; and f) Publication Program.