The position was established, along with the ministry, with the release of Law Number 2 of 1945 under the title Minister of Justice (""). The first minister, Soepomo, was announced on 19 August 1945, 2 days after Indonesia's independence. Soepomo had control over several branches, including the high religious court, civil courts, supreme court, and, after its formation on 1 October 1945, the prosecutor general's office. In 1946, duty over the high religious courts was given to the Minister of Religion.