A LEGAL ACT AS A COMPREHENSIVE LEGAL CATEGORY

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of the problem of legal acts, which acquires particular relevance in the context of legal reform in Ukraine. Despite the considerable amount of scientific research in specific types and branches of law, the problem of legal acts as an integral legal category remains insufficiently developed. Existing approaches in modern jurisprudence are largely characterized by methodological fragmentation and a primary focus on individual types of acts, necessitating a comprehensive interdisciplinary study. The proposed article is an attempt to formulate a universal approach to the understanding and analysis of legal acts.

The article substantiates the consideration of the legal act as a complex legal category encompassing normative, individual, and interpretative forms of legal activity. This enables the comprehension of the phenomenon as a form of exercising authoritative powers, an instrument of communication between the state and society, and a structural element of the mechanism of legal regulation – that is, as a universal form of legal activity. It is argued that legal acts constitute a complex and multifaceted system in which each type performs its own role: some form the foundation of the mechanism of legal regulation, others reflect the individual legal activity of competent authorities, and still others provide official interpretation of legal norms. Thus, they contribute to the unity of legal practice, make the results of legal regulation predictable, and enhance the effectiveness of the rule of law. Despite their diversity, all legal acts share common features as external legal forms aimed at achieving a single goal – ensuring legal order.

The article proposes a model for the use of the category "legal act" in legal education. For a modern lawyer, it is crucial to navigate the complex array of normative legal acts, draft procedural documents, and analyse court decisions. Understanding the legal act as a universal form of legal activity is the key to developing such professional skills.