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Agree to Disagree: Understanding the Failure of Mediation Facilitated by Paralegals

Journal of Law and Legal Reform · Vol. 7 No. 2 (2026) · pp. 1083–1110

DOI
10.15294/jllr.v7i2.35020
ISSN
2715-0968, 2715-0941
Published
2026-04-30
Publisher
Faculty of Law, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Indonesia
Language
eng
License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0

Abstract

Mediation is widely recognized as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism that emphasizes consensus and mutually beneficial outcomes. However, mediation does not always result in a settlement agreement. This article examines the factors contributing to mediation failure, particularly in cases facilitated by paralegals. Using socio-legal research combined with qualitative analysis of mediation practices at the International Mediation and Arbitration Center (IMAC), the Indonesian National Arbitration Institute (BANI), the Gunungkidul Regency Government in Yogyakarta, and National Legal Reform Agency (BPHN), this study analyzes the role of paralegals, the dynamics of the disputing parties, and the procedural challenges that lead to deadlock during mediation. The research findings indicate that several factors, including a lack of good faith on the part of the parties, unrealistic expectations, communication barriers, power imbalances, and limited mediator competence, influence mediation failure. This study argues that mediation should not be considered a failure when no agreement is reached, as the process can still provide clarity for the parties and guide them towards alternative legal pathways. This research contributes to the dispute resolution discourse by highlighting the practical challenges faced by paralegals in the mediation process.

Keywords

Collaboration network of the authors

40 authors · 102 co-authorship links · 1 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 Semarang
  • University of Mataram
  • Direktorat Jenderal Imigrasi
  • Affiliation unknown
  • Different organisations
  • Same organisation
  • Affiliation unknown
  • Thicker line = more joint articles · bigger circle = more articles
Show as table
Co-authorOrganisationJoint articles
Martitah MartitahAffiliation unknown11
Pujiono PujionoAffiliation unknown10
Muhyidin MuhyidinUniversity of Mataram8
Rini FidiyaniAffiliation unknown6
Rahmawati Mohd. YusoffAffiliation unknown4
MUHAMMAD SHIDQON PRABOWOAffiliation unknown3
Yuli Prasetyo AdhiAffiliation unknown3
Mohammad Reza FachruddinAffiliation unknown3
Andry SetiawanAffiliation unknown3
LAGA SUGIARTOAffiliation unknown3
Ivan Bhakti YudistiraAffiliation unknown2
Jafar SidikAffiliation unknown2
Asep RozaliAffiliation unknown2
Rodiyah RodiyahAffiliation unknown2
Abraham AbrahamAffiliation unknown2
Windi AgustinAffiliation unknown2
Masyitha Aulia ArifaAffiliation unknown2
Saru ArifinAffiliation unknown2
Dani MuhtadaAffiliation unknown2
I Made Widia Wirya PutraAffiliation unknown2
Arif HidayatAffiliation unknown2
Gianefi SafitriDirektorat Jenderal Imigrasi1
Kun Retno HandayaniAffiliation unknown1
Indah Sri UtariAffiliation unknown1
SIGIT EKA PRAMONOAffiliation unknown1
NURROHMAH NURROHMAHAffiliation unknown1
RATNA WIDYANINGSIHAffiliation unknown1
Delia PangestiAffiliation unknown1
Muhamad Syahrul ApriliyantoAffiliation unknown1
Khasanah S. L.Affiliation unknown1
Harry NugrohoAffiliation unknown1
Pradita Adila LarasatiAffiliation unknown1
Muarifuddin MuarifuddinAffiliation unknown1
Sungkowo Edy MulyonoAffiliation unknown1
Woro Apriliana SariAffiliation unknown1
Anisya Pratama NingsihAffiliation 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://journal.unnes.ac.id/journals/jllr/oai, first harvested 6 Nov 2026, last seen 6 Nov 2026.
Original metadata (oai_dc) 
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	<dc:title xml:lang="en">Agree to Disagree: Understanding the Failure of Mediation Facilitated by Paralegals</dc:title>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Adhi, Yuli Prasetyo</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Triyono, Triyono</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Sulistianingsih, Dewi</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Yusoff, Rahmawati Mohd</dc:creator>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Mediation</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Paralegal</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Impasse</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Failure</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Settlement Agreement</dc:subject>
	<dc:description xml:lang="en">Mediation is widely recognized as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism that emphasizes consensus and mutually beneficial outcomes. However, mediation does not always result in a settlement agreement. This article examines the factors contributing to mediation failure, particularly in cases facilitated by paralegals. Using socio-legal research combined with qualitative analysis of mediation practices at the International Mediation and Arbitration Center (IMAC), the Indonesian National Arbitration Institute (BANI), the Gunungkidul Regency Government in Yogyakarta, and National Legal Reform Agency (BPHN), this study analyzes the role of paralegals, the dynamics of the disputing parties, and the procedural challenges that lead to deadlock during mediation. The research findings indicate that several factors, including a lack of good faith on the part of the parties, unrealistic expectations, communication barriers, power imbalances, and limited mediator competence, influence mediation failure. This study argues that mediation should not be considered a failure when no agreement is reached, as the process can still provide clarity for the parties and guide them towards alternative legal pathways. This research contributes to the dispute resolution discourse by highlighting the practical challenges faced by paralegals in the mediation process.</dc:description>
	<dc:publisher xml:lang="en">Faculty of Law, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Indonesia</dc:publisher>
	<dc:date>2026-04-30</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://journal.unnes.ac.id/journals/jllr/article/view/35020</dc:identifier>
	<dc:identifier>10.15294/jllr.v7i2.35020</dc:identifier>
	<dc:source xml:lang="en">Journal of Law and Legal Reform; Vol. 7 No. 2 (2026): April, 2026; 1083-1110</dc:source>
	<dc:source>2715-0968</dc:source>
	<dc:source>2715-0941</dc:source>
	<dc:source>10.15294/jllr.v7i2</dc:source>
	<dc:language>eng</dc:language>
	<dc:relation>https://journal.unnes.ac.id/journals/jllr/article/view/35020/9544</dc:relation>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en">Copyright (c) 2026 Yuli Prasetyo Adhi, Triyono Triyono, Dewi Sulistianingsih, Rahmawati Mohd Yusoff (Author)</dc:rights>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en">https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0</dc:rights>
</oai_dc:dc>