The article is devoted to the problem of determining the definition of the category of legal responsibility. Despite of the fundamental character of category of legal liability in legal science there is no single understanding of this legal phenomenon. The article analyzes basic approaches to the understanding of legal liability in legal science. The author, engaging in discussion about the differentiation of types of legal liability, comes to the conclusion that the use of retrospective and a positive approach to the determination of liability of special entities is necessary. The author’s vision of the concept of legal liability and legal responsibility of the military is given.