Effectiveness of Mediation Using Non-Judge Mediators in Settlement of Divorce Cases in the Makassar Religious Court Class 1A

Efektivitas Mediasi dengan Menggunakan Mediator Non-Hakim dalam Penyelesaian Perkara Perceraian di Pengadilan Agama Makassar Kelas 1A

Abstract

Tingginya angka perceraian di Pengadilan Agama Makassar Kelas IA menunjukkan bahwa penyelesaian sengketa keluarga masih menjadi tantangan meskipun mediasi telah diwajibkan melalui Peraturan Mahkamah Agung Nomor 1 Tahun 2016. Kehadiran mediator non-hakim diharapkan mampu meningkatkan kualitas penyelesaian sengketa melalui pendekatan yang lebih komunikatif, humanis, dan berorientasi pada perdamaian. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis pelaksanaan mediasi oleh mediator non-hakim, mengidentifikasi faktor-faktor yang memengaruhi efektivitasnya, serta menganalisis efektivitas mediasi dalam penyelesaian perkara perceraian di Pengadilan Agama Makassar Kelas IA. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian hukum empiris dengan pendekatan kualitatif. Data diperoleh melalui wawancara mendalam, observasi, dan dokumentasi, kemudian dianalisis menggunakan teknik reduksi data, penyajian data, penarikan kesimpulan, serta triangulasi untuk menjamin keabsahan data. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pelaksanaan mediasi telah berjalan sesuai ketentuan PERMA Nomor 1 Tahun 2016 melalui tahapan pra-mediasi, proses mediasi, dan penetapan hasil mediasi. Efektivitas mediasi didukung oleh iktikad baik para pihak, kompetensi mediator, serta dukungan keluarga, sedangkan hambatannya meliputi keinginan kuat untuk bercerai, konflik berkepanjangan, hilangnya kepercayaan, campur tangan pihak ketiga, dan anggapan bahwa mediasi hanya formalitas. Penelitian ini menyimpulkan bahwa mediasi oleh mediator non-hakim tergolong cukup efektif karena mampu mengurangi konflik, memperbaiki komunikasi, serta menghasilkan penyelesaian yang lebih partisipatif dan berorientasi pada kepentingan para pihak.

The high number of divorce cases at the Makassar Religious Court Class IA indicates that family dispute resolution remains a significant challenge despite the mandatory mediation procedure under Supreme Court Regulation Number 1 of 2016. The involvement of non-judge mediators is expected to improve the quality of dispute resolution through a more communicative, humane, and reconciliation-oriented approach. This study aims to analyze the implementation of mediation conducted by non-judge mediators, identify the factors affecting its effectiveness, and evaluate the effectiveness of mediation in resolving divorce cases at the Makassar Religious Court Class IA. This research employed an empirical legal study with a qualitative approach. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, observations, and documentation, and were analyzed using data reduction, data presentation, conclusion drawing, and triangulation techniques to ensure data validity. The findings reveal that the mediation process has been implemented in accordance with Supreme Court Regulation Number 1 of 2016, covering the pre-mediation stage, mediation process, and mediation outcome. The effectiveness of mediation is supported by the parties' good faith, mediator competence, and family support, while the main obstacles include the parties' strong intention to divorce, prolonged conflicts, loss of trust, third-party intervention, and the perception that mediation is merely a procedural requirement. The study concludes that mediation conducted by non-judge mediators is reasonably effective in reducing conflict, improving communication, and producing more participatory and interest-based dispute resolution.