Environmental law: Discourse complexity indices

Abstract

The problem of the complexity of legal texts has been a highlydemanded topic in modern cross-disciplinary research. Considering the fact that environmental law and its language is objectively recognized as complex due to its ongoing development, substantive nature and the diversity of the subject matter, an integrative character of the branch of law under study. the authors propose investigating the analysis of complexity of legal texts applying both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The authors conduct the research into the development and the specifics of environmental law supported by the analysis of its language features. The authors come to conclusion that apart from purely legal complexity factors, the language of environmental law possesses some features that may also be viewed as discourse complexity indices.