The state and prospects of small hydropower development in the context of rationalization of the use of available natural resource potential of Ukraine were considered. It was established that due to insignificant specific weight in the general energy balance, small hydropower cannot significantly affect the structure of energy supply of the country. Attention was drawn to the fact that the adopted State Target Economic Program for Energy Efficiency and the Development of Energy Saving for Renewable Energy Sources and Alternative Fuels for 2010-2020 will promote the use of the potential of small rivers and the development of hydropower. It was noted that the conducted calculations for the future with the help of correlation analysis of installed capacities and production of electricity by small hydropower objects showed that in 2020, at the current rate of development of small hydropower, the planned indicators will not be achieved. The legal principles of functioning of the market of electric energy and formation of relations connected with the development of small hydropower, which are regulated by the Laws of Ukraine and other legislative acts in the field of fuel and energy complex were described.

The legal regime of separation is a complex institute in which establishment entails several legal consequences for both the spouses and other members of the family and concerns both the property and personal non-property rights of the parties. It is characterized by the features common to a particular model of legal regulation of this institute. The purpose of the study is to analyze the characteristics of legal regulation of family relations, which arise out of the establishment, operation, and suspension of spousal separate residence regime in the countries of the European Union and Ukraine and their representation from the perspective of correlation of institutes of separation and divorce. During the study of models of legal regulation of the institute of spousal separate residence, general and special methods of legal phenomena identification were used. In particular, the dialectical method was used to determine the place of the institute of separation in the system of law and its relation with the institute of divorce. The social purpose of this institute was also established. The hermeneutical method helped to interpret the main features inherent in each of the models of legal regulation of separation. Logical-legal and systematic methods were used for the formulation of logically relevant conclusions, and consistent presentation of study materials. The legal comparative method is aimed at comparing the models of legal regulation of the institute of spousal separate residence in the current family law of Ukraine and the legislation of the countries of the European Union. On grounds of a comprehensive analysis of the legislation and practice of its application regarding the legal regime of spousal separate residence in the countries of the European Union and Ukraine, the features of each of the four models for legal regulation are distinguished. Keywords: Divorce, the European Union, separation, spousal separate residence regime, Ukraine.

The article examines the problems of legal science in the context of modern state-building processes in Ukraine through the prism of constitutional reform and ensuring the constitutional order. It is emphasised that one of the main causes of the socio-political crisis, economic unrest and social regress is imperfect legislation, which often does not meet the needs of Ukrainian society, European principles and international standards. On the other hand, it is obvious and historically confirmed that the adoption of a new Constitution or amendments to the current and improvement of legislation does not in itself mean a real law and order. For more than a quarter of a century, Ukraine has remained in a state of transition. It is noted that the assessment of the impact of constitutional legislation, which determines almost all reforms in the state, revealed the following priorities: the creation of favourable conditions for the formation of a new constitutional (state and social) system; determining the conditions for the formation of a new system of economic relations; consolidation of new principles of organisation and functioning of state and socio-political life; actual implementation of the provisions of the Basic Law; further constitutionalisation of all elements of the legal system; recognition of the authority of international law. Regarding the latter, it is stated that the legal ideas, norms and principles proclaimed in the Constitution of Ukraine, provisions on human and civil rights and freedoms must meet international standards, because by becoming a member of the Council of Europe, Ukraine has committed itself to implement European human rights standards, the supremacy of law and democracy. It is the amendments to the Constitution of Ukraine that should provide the foundation for democratic change and the construction of a European democracy that will allow building in Ukraine an independent European state, where every Ukrainian will feel dignified and protected. It was concluded that modern jurisprudence is characterised by a number of scientific methodological approaches, which allows a comprehensive approach to the study of law and legislation in different dimensions. This is objectively due to the constant complication of social relations, including international ones, and requires a deeper understanding of the content of this category and the prospects for its further development. This process will be effective only if it is carried out taking into account the specifics of law and, accordingly, the principles of its knowledge. There is also no doubt that only methodologically sound research of law will allow forming a holistic internally consistent theory of law, which can be applied in the theory of state and law, other areas of law, as well as in the course of state and legal development, including in Ukraine

Статтю присвячено науковому аналізу конституції як складового елемента правової системи. Наголошено, що конституцію як структурний елемент правової системи потрібно розглядати в двох аспектах: у матеріальному та у формальному значенні.   The article is dedicated to scientific analysis o[ the constitution as an integral part of the legal system. Noting that the constitution as a structural element of the legal system should be considered in two aspects: the material and formal sense.

The article is devoted to substantiation of the constitutional-legal status of the High Specialized Court of Justice in Ukraine, differentiation of the terms "specialized court", "special court", "emergency court", substantiation of the established by the law subject matter jurisdiction of the High 1 Стаття є зміненою, актуалізованою та доповненою версією праці авторів "Princip podìlu vladi âk element sine qua non sučasnogo acquis constitutionnel ì jogo vìdobražennâ teperìšn'omu pol'skomu konstitucìonalìzmì opublikowaną w Nauk. Vìs. Černìvec'kogo Unìv.