FACTORS AFFECTING THE PREDOMINANCE OF VERSTEK JUDGMENTS IN DIVORCE CASES BEFORE THE RELIGIOUS COURT

Abstract

This study examines the factors affecting the predominance of verstek judgments in the disposition of divorce cases in religious courts. It was mainly aimed at analyzing the factors that influence the settlement of divorce cases in the absence of the defendant so that the judge decides through a verstek judgment. This research used a normative legal research with a statutory approach and a legal system. The study found three primary factors in the legal system that have lead to the verstek judgments for divorce cases in religious courts. First, the existing substantial components and legal arrangements have not explicitly regulated the criteria, limitations, or reasons for the absence of defendants who who are entitled to verstek examination in divorce cases. Second, the legal structure includes the paradigm of passive judges and strong adherence to procedures, as well as the summoning of the parties by bailiffs. Third, a cultural component, including the factor of awareness of the nature of marriage and the meaning of a divorce, and the rule of law in society regarding the rules and mechanisms for divorce settlement.