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Abstract
This study discusses the use of istifadhah witnesses in marriage isbat cases in Religious Courts following the issuance of Supreme Court Circular Letter No. 10 of 2020 (SEMA). The study compares judges' considerations regarding the criteria for using istifadhah witnesses in such cases, both before and after the issuance of SEMA. The findings indicate that istifadhah witnesses provide testimony based on widely disseminated information within the community. Initially, the use of these witnesses was inadmissible as evidence in civil cases because istifadhah testimony was deemed contrary to Article 1907 of the Civil Code (KUHPerdata), which requires that witness testimony must be based on direct knowledge of the matter in question. Following SEMA, the use of istifadhah witnesses has been recognised in the validation of unregistered marriage cases involving marriages conducted long ago. The use of istifadhah witnesses, before and after SEMA, is positioned as preliminary evidence that requires corroborative evidence to support the judge's presumption. Judges consider several criteria for the use of istifadhah witnesses: first, the absence of living witnesses who can testify directly; second, the use of istifadhah witnesses must be supported by qarinah (indications or circumstantial evidence) that can reinforce the judge's presumption towards forming a conviction.
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References
- Book
- Efendi, Jonaedi, Prasetijo Rijadi, Legal Research Method, Kencana, Jakarta: 2022
- Hamzah, Andi, Principles of Criminal Law, Rineka Cipta, Jakarta: 2008
- Harahap, M. Yahya, Civil Procedure Law, Jakarta, Sinar Grafika: 2019
- Lubis, Sulaikin, et. al. Civil Procedure Law for Religious Courts in Indonesia, Kencana, Jakarta: 2018
- Mulyadi, Lilik, Civil Procedure Law According to Indonesian Judicial Theory and Practice, Djambatan Publisher, Jakarta: 2002
- Rasyid, Roihan A., Religious Courts Procedural Law, Jakarta, Rajawali Press: 2022
- Supreme Court of the Republic of Indonesia, Guidelines for Implementing Duties and Administration of Religious Courts BOOK II, Directorate General of Religious Courts: 2013
- Suteki, Galang Taufani, Legal Research Methodology, Raja Grafindo Persada, Depok: 2020
- Journal
- Arif, Rohmat, Fathurrahman Alfa, Syamsu Madyan, “Analysis of the Strength of Testimonium de Auditu Witness Evidence in Divorce Cases at the Religious Courts of Malang City”, Jurnal Ilmiah Ahwal Syakhshiyyah, Vol. 2 No. 2, 2020
- Bustamam, Amrullah, “Repudiation of Witness of Testimonium de Auditu as Evidence in the Verdict of the Aceh Sharia Court Number 7/JN/2021/MS.Aceh”, Legitimasi: Jurnal Hukum Pidana dan Politik Hukum, Vol. 10 No. 2 (Juli-Desember 2021)
- Fajriyyah, Latifatul dan Alfitri, “Hearsay Evidence Admissibility: Due Process and Evidentiary Rules in Muslim Marriage Legalization (Isbat Nikah)”, Fiat Justisia Jurnal Ilmu Hukum, Vol. 16 No. 3 (Jul-Sept 2022)
- Ginting, Juliati Br., “Civil Case Evidentiary Process”, The Juris, Vol. 4 No. 1 (June 2020)
- Huda, Mohammad Nurul, ”The Importance of Evidentiary Tools in Proving with Minimal Witnesses”, Voice Justisia, Vol. 1 No 1 (2017).
- Jalili, Ahmad, “Maqashid Syharia Theory in Islamic Law”, Teraju: Jurnal Syariah dan Hukum, Vol. 3 No. 2 (September 2021)
- Makinara, Ihdi Karim, Jamhir, Sarah Fadhilah, “Testimonium de Auditu Witness in Divorce Cases according to Islamic Law”, El-Usrah, Vol. 3 No. 2 (Jul-Dec 2020)
- Oe, Meita Djohan, “Marriage Isbat in Islamic Law and Legislation in Indonesia,” Pranata Hukum, Vol 8 No 2 (Jul 2013)
- Salwa, Siti, Yulia, Hamdani, “Application of the Testimonium De Auditu Witness in the Marriage Itsbat Case at the Bireuen Syar'iyah Court”, Suloh, Vol.7 No.1, 2019
- Situmorang, Nedi Gunawan, “Legal Standing of Testimonium de Auditu as Valid Evidentiary Tools Before and After Constitutional Court Decision No. 65/PUU-VIII/2010”, PALAR, Vol. 6 No. 2 (Jul-Dec 2020)
- Zainuddin, Asriadi, “Legality of Marriage Registration through Marriage Validation (Isbat Nikah) Decree”, Al-Mujtahid: Journal of Islamic Family Law, Vol.2 No.1 (2022)
- Legislation
- Kitab Undang-Undang Hukum Perdata
- Herzien Indonesische Reglemen (HIR)
- Rechtsreglemen voor de Buitengesten (RBg)
- Undang-Undang Nomor 1 Tahun 1974 tentang Perkawinan
- Undang-Undang Nomor 14 Tahun 1985 tentang Mahkamah Agung
- Undang-Undang Nomor 7 Tahun 1989 tentang Peradilan Agama
- Undang-Undang Nomor 12 Tahun 2011 tentang Pembentukan Peraturan Perundang-Undangan
- Inpres Nomor 1 Tahun 1991 tentang Penyebarluasan Kompilasi Hukum Islam
- Peraturan Menteri Agama Republik Indonesia Nomor 20 Tahun 2019 tentang Pencatatan Pernikahan.
- Surat Edaran Mahkamah Agung Nomor 10 Tahun 2020
- Other Resources
- Al-Shiddiq, Muhammad Fajar., “Kedudukan Istifadah Witness in the Contentious Isbat Marriage Case at the Cimahi Religious Court”, Undergraduate Thesis, UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung, 2023.
- Basith, Abdil Baril, “Evidentiary Practices in Marriage Validation (Itsbat Nikah) Cases”, https://www.pa-talu.go.id/front.php?page=artikel&id_artikel=1 (diakses tanggal 10 Februari)
References
Book
Efendi, Jonaedi, Prasetijo Rijadi, Legal Research Method, Kencana, Jakarta: 2022
Hamzah, Andi, Principles of Criminal Law, Rineka Cipta, Jakarta: 2008
Harahap, M. Yahya, Civil Procedure Law, Jakarta, Sinar Grafika: 2019
Lubis, Sulaikin, et. al. Civil Procedure Law for Religious Courts in Indonesia, Kencana, Jakarta: 2018
Mulyadi, Lilik, Civil Procedure Law According to Indonesian Judicial Theory and Practice, Djambatan Publisher, Jakarta: 2002
Rasyid, Roihan A., Religious Courts Procedural Law, Jakarta, Rajawali Press: 2022
Supreme Court of the Republic of Indonesia, Guidelines for Implementing Duties and Administration of Religious Courts BOOK II, Directorate General of Religious Courts: 2013
Suteki, Galang Taufani, Legal Research Methodology, Raja Grafindo Persada, Depok: 2020
Journal
Arif, Rohmat, Fathurrahman Alfa, Syamsu Madyan, “Analysis of the Strength of Testimonium de Auditu Witness Evidence in Divorce Cases at the Religious Courts of Malang City”, Jurnal Ilmiah Ahwal Syakhshiyyah, Vol. 2 No. 2, 2020
Bustamam, Amrullah, “Repudiation of Witness of Testimonium de Auditu as Evidence in the Verdict of the Aceh Sharia Court Number 7/JN/2021/MS.Aceh”, Legitimasi: Jurnal Hukum Pidana dan Politik Hukum, Vol. 10 No. 2 (Juli-Desember 2021)
Fajriyyah, Latifatul dan Alfitri, “Hearsay Evidence Admissibility: Due Process and Evidentiary Rules in Muslim Marriage Legalization (Isbat Nikah)”, Fiat Justisia Jurnal Ilmu Hukum, Vol. 16 No. 3 (Jul-Sept 2022)
Ginting, Juliati Br., “Civil Case Evidentiary Process”, The Juris, Vol. 4 No. 1 (June 2020)
Huda, Mohammad Nurul, ”The Importance of Evidentiary Tools in Proving with Minimal Witnesses”, Voice Justisia, Vol. 1 No 1 (2017).
Jalili, Ahmad, “Maqashid Syharia Theory in Islamic Law”, Teraju: Jurnal Syariah dan Hukum, Vol. 3 No. 2 (September 2021)
Makinara, Ihdi Karim, Jamhir, Sarah Fadhilah, “Testimonium de Auditu Witness in Divorce Cases according to Islamic Law”, El-Usrah, Vol. 3 No. 2 (Jul-Dec 2020)
Oe, Meita Djohan, “Marriage Isbat in Islamic Law and Legislation in Indonesia,” Pranata Hukum, Vol 8 No 2 (Jul 2013)
Salwa, Siti, Yulia, Hamdani, “Application of the Testimonium De Auditu Witness in the Marriage Itsbat Case at the Bireuen Syar'iyah Court”, Suloh, Vol.7 No.1, 2019
Situmorang, Nedi Gunawan, “Legal Standing of Testimonium de Auditu as Valid Evidentiary Tools Before and After Constitutional Court Decision No. 65/PUU-VIII/2010”, PALAR, Vol. 6 No. 2 (Jul-Dec 2020)
Zainuddin, Asriadi, “Legality of Marriage Registration through Marriage Validation (Isbat Nikah) Decree”, Al-Mujtahid: Journal of Islamic Family Law, Vol.2 No.1 (2022)
Legislation
Kitab Undang-Undang Hukum Perdata
Herzien Indonesische Reglemen (HIR)
Rechtsreglemen voor de Buitengesten (RBg)
Undang-Undang Nomor 1 Tahun 1974 tentang Perkawinan
Undang-Undang Nomor 14 Tahun 1985 tentang Mahkamah Agung
Undang-Undang Nomor 7 Tahun 1989 tentang Peradilan Agama
Undang-Undang Nomor 12 Tahun 2011 tentang Pembentukan Peraturan Perundang-Undangan
Inpres Nomor 1 Tahun 1991 tentang Penyebarluasan Kompilasi Hukum Islam
Peraturan Menteri Agama Republik Indonesia Nomor 20 Tahun 2019 tentang Pencatatan Pernikahan.
Surat Edaran Mahkamah Agung Nomor 10 Tahun 2020
Other Resources
Al-Shiddiq, Muhammad Fajar., “Kedudukan Istifadah Witness in the Contentious Isbat Marriage Case at the Cimahi Religious Court”, Undergraduate Thesis, UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung, 2023.
Basith, Abdil Baril, “Evidentiary Practices in Marriage Validation (Itsbat Nikah) Cases”, https://www.pa-talu.go.id/front.php?page=artikel&id_artikel=1 (diakses tanggal 10 Februari)