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Local wisdom as legal dispute settlement: how Indonesia’s communities acknowledge Alternative Dispute Resolution?

Legality: Jurnal Ilmiah Hukum · Vol. 33 No. 1 (2025) · pp. 261–285

DOI
10.22219/ljih.v33i1.39958
ISSN
2549-4600, 0854-6509
Published
2025-04-15
Publisher
Faculty of Law, University of Muhammadiyah Malang
Language
eng
License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

Abstract

This paper examines the evolution of legal dispute resolution mechanisms within non-litigation channels, focusing on the traditional villages of Blitar and Karangasem in Indonesia from 1984 to 2023. There is a need to understand how local wisdom contributes to effective dispute resolution, particularly in regions where formal legal institutions may be limited. This research analyses how indigenous communities integrate Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) principles with customary (adat) law, fostering a hybrid system that balances cultural values and contemporary legal frameworks. The paper draws on ethnographic fieldwork, in-depth interviews with traditional leaders, and case studies of dispute settlements in the selected villages. Historical records and legal documents regarding customary disputer solutions were also examined. The results indicate that the villagers have modified their traditional approaches over the last four decades to deal with contemporary problems such as land disputes, family conflicts, and governance issues. This study also focuses on consensus, reconciliation, and restorative justice, which are considered key factors for social cohesion and dealing with social conflicts. The findings highlight that integrating ADR with adat-based mechanisms strengthens legal pluralism and provides an alternative resolution of issues; this integration is more appropriate than litigation in rural, culturally diverse societies. Moreover, the study suggests that these non-litigation practices are socially cohesive between community members because they ensure that dispute resolution is aligned with the community’s cultural norms and common identity. The study also theorizes that justice and social order can be maintained through a better understanding and empowerment of customary laws. This research provides insight into the wider world of legal pluralism as it explores how traditional modes of dispute resolution remain important within modern legal systems.

Keywords

Collaboration network of the authors

40 authors · 95 co-authorship links · 21 across different organisations · showing the 40 most connected

Hover or tap a name to highlight its co-authors. Double-click to open the author's page.

  • State University of Malang
  • Sebelas Maret University
  • Universitas Halu Oleo
  • Muhammadiyah University Purwokerto
  • Yogyakarta State University
  • Indonesian Institute of Sciences
  • Universitas Muhammadiyah Metro
  • Other organisations
  • Affiliation unknown
  • Different organisations
  • Same organisation
  • Affiliation unknown
  • Thicker line = more joint articles · bigger circle = more articles
Show as table
Co-authorOrganisationJoint articles
Ramadhita RamadhitaAffiliation unknown5
Syabbul BachriAffiliation unknown5
Muhamad Galang IsnawanAffiliation unknown4
Naif Mastoor AlsulamiAffiliation unknown4
Ni Komang Tri DharmayaniAffiliation unknown3
Emmy YuanitaAffiliation unknown3
Cholis Sa’dijahState University of Malang2
Ni Made SudewianingsihAffiliation unknown2
Wanda Nugroho YanuartoMuhammadiyah University Purwokerto2
Ebenezer BonyahAffiliation unknown2
Yusnaeni YusnaeniAffiliation unknown2
Subanji SubanjiState University of Malang1
Indriati Nurul HidayahState University of Malang1
Yokhebed YokhebedSebelas Maret University1
Sutarno SutarnoIndonesian Institute of Sciences1
Mohammad MasykuriSebelas Maret University1
Baskoro Adi PrayitnoSebelas Maret University1
Edi CahyonoUniversitas Halu Oleo1
Kadir KadirUniversitas Halu Oleo1
A. PurwantoYogyakarta State University1
didik purwiyantoAffiliation unknown1
B A SetionoAffiliation unknown1
Nirwansyah AmierAffiliation unknown1
Ihsan Syawal RahmatAffiliation unknown1
Purwanto PurwantoCenderawasih University1
Nego LinuhungUniversitas Muhammadiyah Metro1
Sukoriyanto SukoriyantoState University of Malang1
Mohd Isha AwangUniversiti Utara Malaysia1
Nurul AnjartikasariAffiliation unknown1
Maria UlfaAffiliation unknown1
Budimawan BudimawanAffiliation unknown1
Ernaningsih ErnaningsihAffiliation unknown1
Muh. RusmayadiAffiliation unknown1
Samsuriadi SamsuriadiAffiliation unknown1
Jenisus O. DejarloAffiliation unknown1

Affiliations come from OpenAlex; journal OAI-PMH metadata carries none. Authors without an OpenAlex ID are matched by name, which can merge or split people.

Metadata source: OAI-PMH (metadata jurnal) https://ejournal.umm.ac.id/index.php/legality/oai, first harvested 7 Nov 2026, last seen 8 Nov 2026.
Original metadata (oai_dc) 
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	<dc:title xml:lang="en-US">Local wisdom as legal dispute settlement: how Indonesia’s communities acknowledge Alternative Dispute Resolution?</dc:title>
	<dc:creator>Sukriono, Didik</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator>Sudirman, Sudirman</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator>Rapita, Desinta Dwi</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator>Atok, A. Rosyid Al</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator>Bramantya, Alfan</dc:creator>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en-US">Alternative Dispute Resolution</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en-US">Customary Law</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en-US">Legal Settlement</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en-US">Local Wisdom</dc:subject>
	<dc:description xml:lang="en-US">This paper examines the evolution of legal dispute resolution mechanisms within non-litigation channels, focusing on the traditional villages of Blitar and Karangasem in Indonesia from 1984 to 2023. There is a need to understand how local wisdom contributes to effective dispute resolution, particularly in regions where formal legal institutions may be limited. This research analyses how indigenous communities integrate Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) principles with customary (adat) law, fostering a hybrid system that balances cultural values and contemporary legal frameworks. The paper draws on ethnographic fieldwork, in-depth interviews with traditional leaders, and case studies of dispute settlements in the selected villages. Historical records and legal documents regarding customary disputer solutions were also examined. The results indicate that the villagers have modified their traditional approaches over the last four decades to deal with contemporary problems such as land disputes, family conflicts, and governance issues. This study also focuses on consensus, reconciliation, and restorative justice, which are considered key factors for social cohesion and dealing with social conflicts. The findings highlight that integrating ADR with adat-based mechanisms strengthens legal pluralism and provides an alternative resolution of issues; this integration is more appropriate than litigation in rural, culturally diverse societies. Moreover, the study suggests that these non-litigation practices are socially cohesive between community members because they ensure that dispute resolution is aligned with the community’s cultural norms and common identity. The study also theorizes that justice and social order can be maintained through a better understanding and empowerment of customary laws. This research provides insight into the wider world of legal pluralism as it explores how traditional modes of dispute resolution remain important within modern legal systems.</dc:description>
	<dc:publisher xml:lang="en-US">Faculty of Law, University of Muhammadiyah Malang</dc:publisher>
	<dc:date>2025-04-15</dc:date>
	<dc:type>info:eu-repo/semantics/article</dc:type>
	<dc:type>info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion</dc:type>
	<dc:format>application/pdf</dc:format>
	<dc:identifier>https://ejournal.umm.ac.id/index.php/legality/article/view/39958</dc:identifier>
	<dc:identifier>10.22219/ljih.v33i1.39958</dc:identifier>
	<dc:source xml:lang="en-US">Legality : Jurnal Ilmiah Hukum; Vol. 33 No. 1 (2025): March; 261-285</dc:source>
	<dc:source>2549-4600</dc:source>
	<dc:source>0854-6509</dc:source>
	<dc:language>eng</dc:language>
	<dc:relation>https://ejournal.umm.ac.id/index.php/legality/article/view/39958/16224</dc:relation>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en-US">Copyright (c) 2025 Didik Sukriono, Sudirman Sudirman, Desinta Dwi Rapita, A. Rosyid Al Atok, Alfan Bramantya</dc:rights>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en-US">https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0</dc:rights>
</oai_dc:dc>