Weaving Hope in The Mediation Room: The Role of Judges and Mediators in Handling Divorce in PA Cikarang

Abstract

The phenomenon of increasing divorce rates in Indonesia, including in the Cikarang area, encourages the importance of the strategic role of religious court institutions in seeking peaceful solutions through mediation. The mediation space becomes a place to knit the hopes of couples who are facing a household crisis. This study aims to examine the role of judges and mediators in handling divorce cases at the Cikarang Religious Court (PA) and to assess the effectiveness of the mediation process as a preventive measure against divorce. This study uses a qualitative approach with a case study method at the Cikarang Religious Court. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with judges, mediators, and parties who had undergone mediation, as well as documentation and non-participatory observation of the mediation process. Data analysis was carried out descriptively with a thematic approach.  The results of the study show that the role of judges and mediators in mediation is not only formal procedural, but also substantive and humanistic. Judges play a role in directing mediation objectively and putting moral pressure on the parties, while mediators become dialogue facilitators, bridging communication that has been interrupted. Although not all mediations are successful in preventing divorce, most couples acknowledge that the mediation process provides space for reflection and emotional awareness. The mediation process at the Cikarang Religious Court shows great potential as a restorative instrument in domestic cases. The success of mediation is influenced by the mediator's communication capacity, the judge's empathetic approach, and the psychological readiness of the parties. Therefore, strengthening mediation training and developing an approach model based on local and religious values ​​is very important to increase the effectiveness of mediation in religious courts.