THE CATEGORY “SOURCES OF LAW”

Abstract

The author of the article notes that it is necessary to distinguish between the understanding the sources of law in the material, ideological, cognitive, formal and other senses. Diversity in understanding the sources of law has a certain research value. Among them, understanding the sources of law in a material sense is the most difficult. The article emphasizes that the understanding of the sources of law in the formal sense coincides with the concept of “forms of law”. Both are officially recognized in the state forms of expression of the rule of law. In this aspect we can argue the identity of the concepts of sources of law and forms of law. In accordance with the author’s approach, the variety of classifications regarding the sources of law can be replaced by a more logical division of the sources of law into formal (legal) and social. In this case, the system of legal documents (legal act, judicial precedent, normative contract, etc.) should be considered as formal sources of law.