<![CDATA[Child marriage remains a significant issue in Indonesia despite the increase in the minimum marriage age through Law Number 16 of 2019. Supreme Court Regulation Number 5 of 2019 was enacted to guide judges in handling marriage dispensation cases; however, it may also create opportunities for the legalization of child marriage. This study examines the application of the principle of utility in marriage dispensation decisions and its implications for child protection through a normative juridical approach and case study analysis of five Religious Court decisions. The findings reveal that judges tend to prioritize utility over legal certainty, although its application is inconsistent. Decisions granting dispensation are generally based on social and moral considerations, while decisions rejecting it emphasize the child's long-term welfare. Marriage dispensation produces various legal and social consequences, including the legalization of marriage, administrative registration, and risks to children's psychological well-being, reproductive health, and education. Therefore, clearer legal standards and the involvement of professional experts are needed in the examination of marriage dispensation applications.]]>
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