Legal reservations in fulfilling the purpose of the European principle of legal certainty on the example of Ukrainian legislation

Abstract

The relevance of this study lies in the fact that the legal systems of states that recognise and enforce the rule of law are increasingly subject to integration influence: the general requirements of rule-making are unified and ensured by the common obligations of the member states of international communities. The purpose of this study was to conduct a logical and legal analysis of legal reservations as a means of designing (constructing) legal norms to fulfil the purpose of the principle of legal certainty in national legislation. The study employed various methods of scientific cognition, including axiological, analytical, systemic, special legal, hermeneutical, logical, modelling, etc. The use of these methods has provided the basis for the scientific hypothesis regarding the composition of the principle of legal certainty and the nature of legal reservations. The study summarised that the principle of legal certainty as a component of the rule of law is based on the concept of predictability, which is achieved by ensuring clarity, unambiguity, and comprehensibility of legal provisions, and completeness of their content in the normative forms of national legislation. It was found that the requirements of the legal certainty principle can be met by applying a unified technique of rule-making, structuring, and formulation of regulatory provisions, where legal reservations are given a significant importance. The study identified and characterised the crucial features of legal reservations through understanding them as an element of rule- making technique in fulfilling the purpose of the European principle of legal certainty. The study outlined the essential properties of legal reservations and general requirements to them. The legal reservations are defined in the rules of law of national legislation as an element of rule-making technique, the content of which is determined by the social purpose of law. The study proved that they take the form of linguistic constructions, specify the purpose of a legal provision and the limits of its effect, and ensure the accuracy and predictability of a regulatory prescription. The findings of this study are of practical significance, as they can be used in research – for further investigation of topical issues of rulemaking technique, in lawmaking work – in the development of regulations