The article examines the phenomenon of soft law as an instrument for regulating administrative and legal relations, defines its place and role in the system of legal acts, and explores its impact on law enforcement. It is proven that soft law plays a special role in the system of sources of administrative law, which is due to the growing influence of this phenomenon on the legal regulation of social relations. Traditionally, administrative law is associated with normative legal acts that are binding in nature. At the same time, in modern conditions, acts that are not legally binding but significantly influence the behavior of subjects of administrative and legal relations play a significant role. In particular, soft law in administrative law manifests itself in the form of recommendations, guidelines, codes of conduct, memoranda, administrative regulations, etc. Such documents are widely used in the activities of state authorities and local self-government bodies, international organizations, and institutions of the European Union, which enhances their importance in law enforcement practice. The scientific approaches of researchers to the key features of soft law and the peculiarities of its application in Ukraine are analyzed. It is proposed to differentiate between external soft law, which arises within the framework of international cooperation, in particular in the activities of international organizations, and internal soft law, which is formed within the national legal system (for example, in the form of recommendations, letters, codes of ethics). In the current conditions of the development of the legal system of Ukraine, the phenomenon of internal soft law is becoming increasingly important as an instrument that allows for effective management without excessive rigidity of legal norms. Its influence is particularly noticeable in the field of administrative law, where the regulation of social relations often requires efficiency, adaptability, and compliance with European standards.
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