Laws of Nature, Natural Law and Human-Made Law: Legal Validity, Moral Legitimacy and Effective Judicial Protection

This interdisciplinary legal research examines the relationship between scientific laws of nature, natural-law theory, and human-made positive law, with particular emphasis on the distinction between legal validity, moral legitimacy, and effective judicial protection. Drawing upon the philosophical contributions of Aristotle, Thomas Aquinas, John Locke, Hans Kelsen, H. L. A. Hart, and Gustav Radbruch, the study explores whether formally valid legislation can nevertheless conflict with fundamental principles of justice, human dignity, and the rule of law. The analysis considers the Constitution of Latvia (Satversme), the European Convention on Human Rights, and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. Particular attention is given to European judicial decisions concerning access to justice, procedural fairness, interim measures, proportionality, and effective remedies, including Golder v. the United Kingdom (Application No. 4451/70), Airey v. Ireland (No. 6289/73), Kreuz v. Poland (No. 28249/95), Micallef v. Malta (No. 17056/06), Factortame (Case C-213/89), Unibet (Case C-432/05), and DEB (Case C-279/09). The central argument is that formal compliance with legislative or procedural requirements does not, by itself, establish substantive justice. The effectiveness of fundamental rights also depends on accessible, timely, and practical mechanisms of judicial protection. The study distinguishes philosophical criticism from legally established violations and presents a framework for evaluating the compatibility of human-made laws with constitutional principles and international human rights obligations. Research fields: Legal philosophy, constitutional law, human rights law, European Union law, access to justice, judicial protection. Keywords: Natural Law; Positive Law; Rule of Law; Human Dignity; Legal Validity; Moral Legitimacy; Effective Judicial Protection; Access to Justice; European Court of Human Rights; Court of Justice of the European Union; Latvia. Research type: Independent interdisciplinary legal analysis.