THE JURISPRUDENTIAL ROLE IN RESOLVING CUSTOMARY INHERITANCE DISPUTES
Universitas Airlangga Surabaya
Universitas Airlangga Surabaya
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56943/jlte.v4i3.819Customary inheritance law is influenced by three kinship systems: patrilineal, matrilineal, and parental. Disputes over customary inheritance often arise in traditional communities due to dissatisfaction with the division of assets. While these conflicts are commonly resolved through family deliberation or traditional institutions, dissatisfaction with a chief's decision can escalate to legal action in court. This research aims to understand how customary inheritance disputes are resolved within these kinship systems and how Supreme Court jurisprudence is applied following these resolutions. This study uses a legal methodology with a multi-faceted approach. A statute approach is used to analyze relevant laws and existing legal precedents. A conceptual approach examines applicable legal theories and doctrines, while a case approach is employed to analyze specific, legally binding court decisions that illustrate the development of customary inheritance law. The findings reveal that while initial resolutions are sought through customary channels, a persistent dissatisfaction can lead to legal action. However, the effective application of judicial precedent is hindered by a lack of knowledge within customary legal communities. Nevertheless, these court decisions have brought about significant change, particularly in Batak communities, where several legal precedents have led to women being granted and receiving inheritance rights.
Keywords: Customary Inheritance Law Dispute Resolution Kinship Law
Aisyah, Aisyah, and Novia Alexia. “Keberadaan Hukum Waris Adat Dalam Pembagian Warisan Pada Masyarakat Adat Batak Toba Sumatera Utara.” Mizan: Jurnal Ilmu Hukum 11, no. 1 (June 14, 2022): 1. https://ejournal.uniska-kediri.ac.id/index.php/Mizan/article/view/2323.
Ali, Chidir. Himpunan Yurisprudensi Hukum Adat Batak. First Edit. Bandung: Tarsito, 1978.
Ansari, Tunggul, and Setia Negara. “Normative Legal Research in Indonesia: Its Originis and Approaches.” Audito Comparative Law Journal (ACLJ) 4, no. 1 (February 2, 2023): 1–9. Accessed September 2, 2025. https://ejournal.umm.ac.id/index.php/audito/article/view/24855.
Arifin, Zainal. “Matrilineal Paradox in Semende and Minangkabau Culture.” Komunitas 11, no. 2 (September 30, 2019). https://journal.unnes.ac.id/nju/komunitas/article/view/20904.
Ayuni, Vidya Fani, Dwi Safira Wardana, and Raudhatun Nafisa. “Variants of the Dayak Batak Kinship System.” JURNAL SOCIUS 14, no. 1 (April 22, 2025): 57. https://ppjp.ulm.ac.id/journal/index.php/JS/article/view/21198.
Hadikusuma, Hilman. Hukum Waris Adat. Cetakan 8. Bandung: Citra Aditya Bakti, 2015.
Hidayatulloh, Bagus Anwar. “Implementasi Sistem Keterwakilan Perempuan Dalam Pemilu: Studi Pada Masyarakat Patrilineal Di Indonesia.” Supremasi Hukum: Jurnal Kajian Ilmu Hukum 3, no. 1 (January 28, 2020). https://ejournal.uin-suka.ac.id/syariah/Supremasi/article/view/1954.
Jamburi, Ahmad, and Mohammad Muhibbin. “Matrilineal System Mechanism for The Distribution of Inheritance Rights.” Jurnal Cakrawala Hukum 15, no. 2 (August 1, 2024): 122–133. https://jurnal.unmer.ac.id/index.php/jch/article/view/15159.
Koesnoe, Moh. Catatan-Catatan Terhadap Hukum Adat. Surabaya: Airlangga University Press, 1979.
Manik, Herlina, Suhermi Suhermi, Sasmiar Sasmiar, and Nelli Herlina. “THE RECOGNITION AND RIGHTS PROTECTION FOR BATIN SEMBILAN COMMUNITIES OVER CUSTOMARY TERRITORY AND NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT.” Journal of Law Theory and Law Enforcement (November 24, 2023): 119–130. https://journal.jfpublisher.com/index.php/jlte/article/view/429.
Marzuki, Peter Mahmud. Penelitian Hukum. Revision Edition. KENCANA, 2021.
Poespasari, Dr. Ellyne Dwi, Afga Samudera Erlangga, and Dr. Soelistyowati. “THE EXISTENCE OF CUSTOMARY INHERITANCE LAW NORM DEVELOPMENT IN JURISPRUDENCE SUPREME COURT.” Journal of Law Theory and Law Enforcement (July 3, 2023): 85–101. https://journal.jfpublisher.com/index.php/jlte/article/view/326.
Poespasari, Ellyne Dwi. “Dinamika Penguasaan Tanah Oleh Perempuan Pada Masyarakat Batak Toba.” Universitas Gadjah Mada, 2013.
Poespasari, Ellyne Dwi, Hanum Rahmaniar Helmi, Soelistyowati Soelistyowati, Muhammad Sumedi, and Afga Samudera Erlangga. “SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES OVER THE INHERITANCE PROPERTY DISTRIBUTION IN THE COMMUNITY OF JUWONO VILLAGE, NGANJUK.” Journal of Law Theory and Law Enforcement (November 10, 2023): 106–118. https://journal.jfpublisher.com/index.php/jlte/article/view/415.
Pudjosewojo, Kusumadi. Pedoman Pelajaran Tata Hukum Indonesia. Jakarta: Sinar Grafika, 2008.
Saragih, Djaren. Hukum Perkawinan Adat Batak. Bandung: Tarsito, 1980.
Sarihastuti, Dewy. “Optimalisasi Penyelenggaraan Statistik Sektoral Sebagai Upaya Pemenuhan Data Statistik Berkualitas Di Indonesia.” Jurnal Syntax Admiration 5, no. 10 (October 29, 2024): 4343–4363. Accessed August 13, 2025. https://jurnalsyntaxadmiration.com/index.php/jurnal/article/view/1715.
Shinta Nofitrianti, Syuryani, and Anggun Lestari Suryamizon. “THE STATUS OF THE WIDOW AS HEIR TO THE ASSETS INHERITED FROM HER DECEASED HUSBAND IS REVIEWED ACCORDING TO CUSTOMARY LAW.” DE’RECHTSSTAAT 10, no. 1 (March 28, 2024): 34–45. https://ojs.unida.ac.id/LAW/article/view/9795.
Sihotang, Amri Panahatan, and Wafda Vivid Izziyana. “Reformulasi Kedudukan Janda Cerai Mati Dalam Hukum Waris Adat Batak Perspektif Gender.” Egalita Jurnal Kesetaraan dan Keadilan Gender 18, no. 2 (January 20, 2024). https://ejournal.uin-malang.ac.id/index.php/egalita/article/view/25408.
Silalahi, Dwi Grace Rosalia, Lagat Parroha Patar Siadari, Fadlan, Erniyanti, and Soerya Respationo. “From Patrilineal Tradition to Gender Equity: The Evolution of Inheritance Law in Indonesia’s Batak Toba Community.” Enigma in Law 2, no. 2 (August 27, 2024): 129–143. https://enigma.or.id/index.php/law/article/view/66.
Siregar, Aziz. “Characteristics of Customary Law and Its Characteristics.” Journal of Adat Recht 1, no. 1 (May 27, 2024). https://nawalaeducation.com/index.php/JOAR/article/view/322.
Sitinjak, Gunawan Yosua, Jessica Ribkha Lumbantobing, Lamtio Patricia Tambunan, Grace Peronika Manullang, and Teresia Amelda Falentina Hutagaol. “Gender Roles in the Practice of Paulakhon within the Batak Toba Patrilineal System.” Literasi Bahasa dan Sastra Jurnal 1, no. 2 (April 13, 2025): 96–103. https://triedu.or.id/Libas/index.php/about/article/view/29.
Soelistyawati, Ellyne Dwi Poespasari, and Christiani Widowati. Konstruksi Asas Hukum Yang Melandasi Norma Hukum Waris Adat Pada Masyarakat Parental Menurut Mahkamah Agung, 2013.
Soepomo, Prof. Dr. R. Soepomo. Bab-Bab Tentang Hukum Adat. Jakarta Timur: PT Balai Pustaka, 2013.
Stark, Alexander, and Fatan Hamamah Yahaya. “The Paternal Side of the Family within a Matrilineal Society: An Example of the Minangkabau in Indonesia.” IIUM JOURNAL OF HUMAN SCIENCES 3, no. 2 (December 29, 2021): 54–67. https://journals.iium.edu.my/irkh/index.php/ijohs/article/view/208.
Syamantha, Talita, Dedi Hermawan Syahputra, and Zulfikar Zulfikar. “The Subject of Customary Law and the Relevance of Customary Law in the Indonesian Legal System.” International Journal of Research and Review 12, no. 4 (April 19, 2025): 298–301. https://www.ijrrjournal.com/IJRR_Vol.12_Issue.4_April2025/IJRR36.pdf.
Vergouwen, J. C. Masyarakat Dan Hukum Adat Batak Toba . Yogyakarta: LKiS, 2004.
Willard, Aiyana K., Adam Baimel, Hugh Turpin, Jonathan Jong, and Harvey Whitehouse. “Rewarding the Good and Punishing the Bad: The Role of Karma and Afterlife Beliefs in Shaping Moral Norms.” Evolution and Human Behavior 41, no. 5 (September 1, 2020): 385–396. Accessed September 2, 2025. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1090513820300805.
Wingjodipoero, Soerojo. Pengantar Dan Asas Asas Hukum Adat. Jakarta: PT Toko Gunung Agung, 1995.
