Methodology of the tiered approach in research of contractual legal regulation

Introduction: the article considers the possibility of applying methodology of the tiered approach to study of contractual legal regulation. Purpose: the author analyses and compares various approaches to define the place of contractual regulation in the structure of legal regulation. Objectives: to analyse the main approaches to legal regulation; to identify peculiarities of contractual legal regulation; to define the possibility of using the tiered approach methodology. Methods: the methodological framework of this study is based on a set of methods of scientific cognition, among which the tiered approach is the major one. The author also uses general scientific methods (systemic method, methods of logics) and methods specific to legal science (formal, comparative). Special attention is paid to the systemic method of research, along with the tiered approach. Results: the article provides the author's definition of contractual legal regulation as an independent level of the legal regulation structure. The problem of improving methodological tools while studying state-legal phenomena and processes has been set. Conclusions: contractual legal regulation is of a complex interdisciplinary nature. The conclusion is drawn that it is difficult to construct its mechanism without reconsideration of the existing methodological positions on the legal regulation problem both in general theory of law and specific juridical sciences.