Abstract: This article reviews the positive and negative approaches towards understanding of discretion in law, as well as substantiates the need for comprehensive analysis of the problems of discretion in law not only in law enforcement, but also lawmaking and law-interpreting practice, depending on the nature of legal activity. The author explores the fundamental approaches of the scholars of jurisprudence towards definition of conceptual characteristics of discretion in law; formulates the original definition of discretion in law and its key attributes; underlines the need for comprehensive study of this legal phenomenon. Having analyzed the positive and negative approaches towards understanding the concept of discretion in law, the author conducts an exhaustive study of the problem of discretion, taking into account the regularities in law enforcement, lawmaking and law-interpreting activity. The author concludes that it is imperative to view discretion in various legal branches, and proposes definition of discretion in law.

Abstract: This article reviews the positive and negative approaches towards understanding of discretion in law, as well as substantiates the need for comprehensive analysis of the problems of discretion in law not only in law enforcement, but also lawmaking and law-interpreting practice, depending on the nature of legal activity. The author explores the fundamental approaches of the scholars of jurisprudence towards definition of conceptual characteristics of discretion in law; formulates the original definition of discretion in law and its key attributes; underlines the need for comprehensive study of this legal phenomenon. Having analyzed the positive and negative approaches towards understanding the concept of discretion in law, the author conducts an exhaustive study of the problem of discretion, taking into account the regularities in law enforcement, lawmaking and law-interpreting activity. The author concludes that it is imperative to view discretion in various legal branches, and proposes definition of discretion in law.