MARTIAL LAW AS A FACTOR IN THE TRANSFORMATION OF CIVIL LAW OBLIGATIONS

Abstract

The article demonstrates that martial law is not only a temporary special legal regime but also a significant
factor in transforming civil law obligations in Ukraine. In the context of large-scale armed aggression by the
Russian Federation, martial law encompasses a set of socio-legal phenomena that require rethinking traditional
civil law institutions, particularly the concepts of force majeure and liability for non-performance of obligations.
The primary impact of martial law on civil law obligations manifests in the specifics of applying the rules on
irresistible force, which necessitates proving the occurrence and causal link between force majeure circumstances
and the impossibility of fulfilling a particular obligation. Judicial practice of the Supreme Court of Ukraine
emphasizes that force majeure does not automatically exempt a party from liability: the party invoking it must
demonstrate that these circumstances caused non-performance or improper performance of the contract. The
study also highlights the need for clearer legal mechanisms for confirming force majeure circumstances, taking
into account the specifics of different contractual relations and economic sectors. Prospects for further research
include analyzing evidence mechanisms, improving contractual clauses on force majeure, and studying the
effectiveness of international and European experience in confirming and evaluating force majeure circumstances.
Overall, the formation of a civil law doctrine under martial law depends not only on normative changes but also
on coordinated judicial practice, doctrinal approaches, and contractual practices that reflect current realities and
contribute to legal stability under extraordinary legal regimes.

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