Application of the rule of law principle in administrative proceedings during martial law

Abstract

The article is devoted to the procedural features of the implementation of the principle of the rule of law in administrative proceedings after the introduction of martial law. More than 80% of administrative lawsuits brought to regional courts during martial law are social disputes. During the period of martial law, the strict application of procedural terms by the courts regarding the application to the court with claims, appeals and cassation complaints - may have signs of unjustified restriction of access to the court. Procedural deadlines, violated for valid reasons, are also subject to renewal. Such reasons can be: air strike, lack of electricity supply, impossibility of using transport, communication, missile or other armed damage to the territory where the party to the case, its representative, subject of authority, occupation of the territory is located. The administrative courts ensure the implementation of the principle of the rule of law during the protection of the rights, freedoms and interests of a person in the sphere of public-legal relations. In order to increase the effectiveness of administrative proceedings under martial law and the proper protection of the rights, freedoms and interests of individuals, a number of issues require legislative improvement and finalization. Among them are issues of ensuring access to justice, calculation and extension of terms; the possibility of stopping the proceedings in the case due to martial law; improving the issue of summonses, notices, delivery of decisions to the parties in the case. After the introduction of martial law, no changes were made to the procedural legislation regarding terms. Each public legal dispute, each claim must be considered taking into account the circumstances of the case and the circumstances in which the participants of the court process found themselves. The application of the norm with the most favorable interpretation for the person in a public legal dispute can be justified by the provisions of Art. 129 of the Constitution of Ukraine, because a judge, while administering justice, is independent and governed by the rule of law. Key words: the rule of law, martial law, regional court, access to justice, procedural terms, court practice.