<![CDATA[This study examines the role of the Village Head as a mediator in resolving land disputes in Benteng Village, Talawi District, Batubara Regency. Using a normative juridical approach, the research analyzes legal norms, statutory regulations, and relevant doctrines to understand the scope of authority and effectiveness of village-level mediation. The findings show that the Village Head's authority to mediate disputes is mandated by Law No. 6 of 2014 on Villages, which obliges the Village Head to maintain social order and resolve community disputes peacefully. Mediation at the village level is generally more effective than litigation because it prioritizes kinship, customary values, and social proximity among residents. The Village Head plays a central role in facilitating deliberation, verifying ownership documents, and issuing administrative statements to support settlement outcomes. However, challenges persist, including limited facilities, insufficient budget allocations, low legal awareness among residents, and the lack of formal training or mediator certification for Village Heads. These constraints hinder the optimization of mediation practices. Therefore, the study emphasizes the importance of government support through training, regulatory enhancements, and institutional capacity building to enhance the effectiveness of village mediation and ensure justice at the grassroots level.]]>
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