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Negotiating legal pluralism: Sharia and Civil Law integration in Brunei Darussalam

Legality: Jurnal Ilmiah Hukum · Vol. 33 No. 2 (2025) · pp. 535–552

DOI
10.22219/ljih.v33i2.40916
ISSN
2549-4600, 0854-6509
Published
2025-09-27
Publisher
Faculty of Law, University of Muhammadiyah Malang
Language
eng
License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

Abstract

This study critically examines the integration of Sharia and civil law in Brunei Darussalam, focusing on institutional frictions, normative conflicts, and the challenges of balancing Islamic legitimacy with social cohesion. The research analyses structural tensions within the dual legal system and proposes actionable solutions to strengthen coherence and public trust. Employing a qualitative methodology that comprises document analysis, expert interviews, and case studies, the study examines the functioning pattern of coexistence between Sharia and civil law in practice and its implications for legal stakeholders. The findings reveal that the integration process generates structural ambiguities, overlapping jurisdictions, and uneven societal acceptance, particularly among women and non-Muslim minorities. These issues highlight the need for targeted reforms to ensure fairness and inclusivity. The study concludes that sustainable integration requires concrete steps: harmonising the Shariah Penal Code Order 2013 with the Civil Penal Code, revising discriminatory provisions in family law, and developing a Joint Judicial Guideline to clarify jurisdictional boundaries between Syariah and civil courts. By advancing these recommendations, the research emphasises that inclusive policy dialogue and cross-institutional collaboration must culminate in substantive legal reforms rather than rhetorical commitments. In doing so, it contributes to broader debates on Islamic legal reform and governance in Muslim-majority countries that are facing similar dynamics.

Keywords

Collaboration network of the authors

40 authors · 98 co-authorship links · 4 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.

  • Universitas Almuslim
  • Institut Agama Islam Negeri Kerinci
  • Universitas Sulawesi Barat
  • Universitas Halu Oleo
  • Diponegoro University
  • Affiliation unknown
  • Different organisations
  • Same organisation
  • Affiliation unknown
  • Thicker line = more joint articles · bigger circle = more articles
Show as table
Co-authorOrganisationJoint articles
Sholahuddin Al-FatihAffiliation unknown3
Siti FatimahAffiliation unknown2
Doli WitroInstitut Agama Islam Negeri Kerinci2
Tashdieq Ulil Amri ArhamzahAffiliation unknown2
Imaro SidqiAffiliation unknown2
Halus SatriawanUniversitas Almuslim1
Ernawita ErnawitaUniversitas Almuslim1
Cut Ayu LizarUniversitas Almuslim1
Kurnia Dewi AnggraenyAffiliation unknown1
Alfan Noufal RizqullahAffiliation unknown1
Martha Catherine BeckAffiliation unknown1
Hüseyin Emin SertAffiliation unknown1
Haris HarisUniversitas Sulawesi Barat1
Aan Eko WidiartoAffiliation unknown1
Dhia Al-UyunAffiliation unknown1
Muchamad Ali SafaatAffiliation unknown1
Muhammad Iqbal IrhamAffiliation unknown1
Harifuddin HarifuddinAffiliation unknown1
Andi Ernie Zaenab MusaAffiliation unknown1
Rasyidah ZainuddinAffiliation unknown1
M. Hajir SusantoAffiliation unknown1
Anom Wahyu AsmorojatiAffiliation unknown1
Siti ZuliyahAffiliation unknown1
Ilham Yuli IsdiyantoAffiliation unknown1
Megawati MegawatiAffiliation unknown1
Muhammad NasirAffiliation unknown1
Harun HarunUniversitas Halu Oleo1
Khairil Dona SKDAffiliation unknown1
Sumariyah SumariyahDiponegoro University1
Ade Ika SusanAffiliation unknown1
Zaenul MuhlisinAffiliation unknown1
Fajar AriantoAffiliation unknown1
Andi Wibowo KinandanaAffiliation unknown1
Iis NurhasanahAffiliation unknown1
Pratama Jujur WibawaAffiliation 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">Negotiating legal pluralism: Sharia and Civil Law integration in Brunei Darussalam</dc:title>
	<dc:creator>Nur, Muhammad</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator>Ibrahim, Ibnor Azli</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator>Nisa, Siti Maymanatun</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator>Alfarisi, Muhammad Adib</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator>Afriadi, Dedy</dc:creator>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en-US">Brunei Darussalam</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en-US">Governance and Justice</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en-US">Islamic Legal Integration</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en-US">Sharia Law</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en-US">Legal Pluralism</dc:subject>
	<dc:description xml:lang="en-US">This study critically examines the integration of Sharia and civil law in Brunei Darussalam, focusing on institutional frictions, normative conflicts, and the challenges of balancing Islamic legitimacy with social cohesion. The research analyses structural tensions within the dual legal system and proposes actionable solutions to strengthen coherence and public trust. Employing a qualitative methodology that comprises document analysis, expert interviews, and case studies, the study examines the functioning pattern of coexistence between Sharia and civil law in practice and its implications for legal stakeholders. The findings reveal that the integration process generates structural ambiguities, overlapping jurisdictions, and uneven societal acceptance, particularly among women and non-Muslim minorities. These issues highlight the need for targeted reforms to ensure fairness and inclusivity. The study concludes that sustainable integration requires concrete steps: harmonising the Shariah Penal Code Order 2013 with the Civil Penal Code, revising discriminatory provisions in family law, and developing a Joint Judicial Guideline to clarify jurisdictional boundaries between Syariah and civil courts. By advancing these recommendations, the research emphasises that inclusive policy dialogue and cross-institutional collaboration must culminate in substantive legal reforms rather than rhetorical commitments. In doing so, it contributes to broader debates on Islamic legal reform and governance in Muslim-majority countries that are facing similar dynamics.</dc:description>
	<dc:publisher xml:lang="en-US">Faculty of Law, University of Muhammadiyah Malang</dc:publisher>
	<dc:date>2025-09-27</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/40916</dc:identifier>
	<dc:identifier>10.22219/ljih.v33i2.40916</dc:identifier>
	<dc:source xml:lang="en-US">Legality : Jurnal Ilmiah Hukum; Vol. 33 No. 2 (2025): September; 535-552</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/40916/17321</dc:relation>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en-US">Copyright (c) 2025 Muhammad Nur, Ibnor Azli Ibrahim, Siti Maymanatun Nisa, Muhammad Adib Alfarisi, Dedy Afriadi</dc:rights>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en-US">https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0</dc:rights>
</oai_dc:dc>