Public law disputes in the field of public service: Interdisciplinary approaches to prevention and settlement

The relevance of this study was conditioned by the need to improve the legal regulation of service disputes in the civil service system against the background of public administration reforms. The purpose of this study was to determine the legal nature of service disputes, their specific features, and the procedure for their resolution within the administrative process. The methodological framework of the study was formed by comparative legal, formallogical, dialectical, historical-legal, and analytical approaches, which enabled a comprehensive investigation of the legal framework, modern scientific approaches, and practices of resolving service disputes. The study examined the essence of service disputes and their legal nature and found that they represent a type of public law disputes arising in the field of public service. The study analysed the legal grounds and parties to disputes, specifically, disputes related to disciplinary sanctions and termination of civil service contracts. The study found that service disputes arise due to unresolved disagreements between a civil servant and a public authority or its representative regarding the legality of decisions or actions that violate the rights of the employee. Such disputes often concern both the validity of disciplinary sanctions and the legality of dismissal. The study analysed the mechanisms for consideration of such disputes stipulated by administrative legislation and identified the key stages and procedural forms of resolution of such disputes, including disciplinary proceedings. The study identified key procedures that should ensure fair consideration of disputes, as well as the possibility of appealing against decisions of disciplinary commissions. The analysis revealed that the effectiveness of consideration of service disputes depends heavily on compliance with procedural rules and ensuring access to justice for civil servants. Based on the findings, the study concluded that service disputes have their unique law enforcement specifics within the administrative process and are a significant tool for legal protection of the rights of civil servants. The practical value of the study lies in the possibility of applying the findings to improve the mechanisms for resolving public law disputes in the field of civil service, which will contribute to the efficiency of functioning of public authorities