Divorce Mediation in Makassar: A Real Solution or Mere Formality? - Suci Aulya Almi; Zainuddin Zainuddin; Salmawati Salmawati (ADVANCED PRIVATE LEGAL INSIGHTS, 2025)
Abstrak: Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis efektivitas peran mediator dalam proses mediasi perkara perceraian di Pengadilan Agama Kelas IA Makassar serta merumuskan upaya strategis untuk memperkuat peran tersebut dalam menekan angka perceraian. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode hukum empiris dengan pendekatan sosiologi hukum, yang memanfaatkan data primer melalui wawancara dengan mediator serta data sekunder berupa dokumen laporan mediasi periode 2021–2024, yang dikumpulkan melalui observasi, wawancara, dan dokumentasi, kemudian dianalisis secara kualitatif. Pembaharuan penelitian ini terletak pada penggabungan analisis efektivitas mediasi dengan pendekatan praktis berbasis dinamika psikologis para pihak dalam perkara perceraian. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa efektivitas mediator dalam mencapai perdamaian utuh masih belum optimal, namun terdapat perkembangan pada keberhasilan mediasi parsial yang berkontribusi dalam mereduksi konflik lanjutan, khususnya terkait hak asuh dan pemenuhan kewajiban pasca perceraian. Di sisi lain, tingkat kegagalan mediasi masih tergolong tinggi akibat kuatnya keinginan para pihak untuk bercerai sejak awal proses. Kesimpulan penelitian ini menegaskan bahwa peran mediator belum sepenuhnya mampu menekan angka perceraian secara signifikan, meskipun telah berfungsi dalam mengelola dampak konflik secara lebih konstruktif. Penelitian ini memberikan rekomendasi berupa peningkatan kapasitas mediator melalui penguatan keterampilan komunikasi, negosiasi, dan pemahaman psikologi keluarga, serta optimalisasi waktu mediasi agar peluang tercapainya perdamaian dapat dimaksimalkan. Abstract: This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of the mediator's role in the divorce mediation process at the Class IA Religious Court in Makassar and to formulate strategic efforts to strengthen this role in reducing the divorce rate. This study uses an empirical legal method with a sociological approach to law, utilizing primary data through interviews with mediators and secondary data in the form of mediation report documents for the 2021–2024 period. These data were collected through observation, interviews, and documentation, and then analyzed qualitatively. The innovation of this study lies in combining the analysis of mediation effectiveness with a practical approach based on the psychological dynamics of the parties in divorce cases. The results of this study indicate that the effectiveness of mediators in achieving complete reconciliation is still suboptimal, but there has been progress in the success of partial mediation, which contributes to reducing further conflict, particularly regarding custody and fulfillment of post-divorce obligations. On the other hand, the failure rate of mediation remains relatively high due to the strong desire of the parties to divorce from the beginning of the process. The conclusion of this study confirms that the role of mediators has not been fully able to significantly reduce the divorce rate, despite its function in managing the impact of conflict more constructively. This study provides recommendations for improving the capacity of mediators by strengthening communication and negotiation skills, and understanding family psychology, as well as optimizing mediation time to maximize the chances of achieving peace.