EXHIBIT 5.1

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September 12, 2003                   www.cooley.com

PeopleSoft, Inc.                     THOMAS Z. REICHER
4460 Hacienda Drive                  (650) 843-2381
Pleasanton, California 94588         reichertz@cooley.com


Ladies and Gentlemen:

You have requested our opinion with respect to certain matters in connection
with the filing by PeopleSoft, Inc. (the "Company") of a Registration Statement
on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") with the Securities and Exchange
Commission covering the offering of up to an aggregate of 17,690,148 shares of
the Company's Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Shares") pursuant to
its Amended and Restated 1989 Stock Option Plan (the "1989 Plan") and its 2003
Directors Stock Plan (collectively, the "Plans").

In connection with this opinion, we have examined the Registration Statement and
such other documents, records, certificates, memoranda and other instruments as
we deem necessary as a basis for this opinion. We have assumed the genuineness
and authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity
to originals of all documents submitted to us as copies thereof, and the due
execution and delivery of all documents where due execution and delivery are a
prerequisite to the effectiveness thereof.

On the basis of the foregoing, and in reliance thereon, we are of the opinion
that the Shares, when sold and issued in accordance with the Plans and the
Registration Statement, will be validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable
(except as to shares issued pursuant to certain deferred payment arrangements,
which will be fully paid and nonassessable when such deferred payments are made
in full).

We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement.

Very truly yours,

Cooley Godward LLP

By: /s/ THOMAS Z. REICHER
    -----------------------------
        Thomas Z. Reicher