FEATURES OF CONSUMER RIGHTS PROTECTION UNDER MARTIAL LAW

Abstract

The article comprehensively examines the specifics of legal regulation and mechanisms for protecting consumer rights under martial law in Ukraine and takes into account the general challenges facing society during armed conflict, in particular restrictions on access to goods, services, legal information, and justice. As a result of our scientific research, we reveal the peculiarities of the application of current legislation, in particular the provisions of the Constitution of Ukraine, the Law of Ukraine “On Consumer Protection,” the Civil Code of Ukraine, and special legislation in the field of financial services, and analyze the difficulties in the realization of consumer rights arising in connection with military circumstances. These difficulties include, in particular, non-compliance with contract terms, difficulties with refunds and exchanges of goods, as well as complications in communicating with service providers and protecting one’s rights within the legal framework In addition, special attention is paid to the impact of digital transformation on the sphere of consumer relations, in particular the development of online trade and e-commerce. At the same time, the article highlights the threats associated with the lack of proper legal regulation of digital platforms, the insufficient level of digital literacy among the population, and the legal vacuum regarding the status of Internet resources and mechanisms for holding their administrators accountable. The article also substantiates the need to update the regulatory framework to take into account modern digital challenges, ensure effective coordination between authorities, introduce institutional tools such as a consumer ombudsman, and form a unified state policy strategy in the field of consumer protection in the postwar period, which includes digital transformation, informing citizens, and supporting vulnerable groups. Therefore, we conclude that the formation of a consumer protection system in wartime and post-war periods should be an integral part of the national strategy for economic recovery and security, based on the principles of human-centeredness, digital accessibility, adequate institutional support, and legal certainty