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Civil Law Reform Toward Substantive Justice: A Comparative Study Between Indonesia and Spain

Martinus Guntur Ohoiwutun(1email), Ali Rahman(2), Antonio Gutierrez Pozo(3)


(1) Institut Cinta Tanah Air, Biak, Papua, Indonesia
(2) Universitas Sawaerigading, Makassar, Indonesia
(3) Facultad de Filologia, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain orcid
email Corresponding Author
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Abstract


Introduction: Civil law reform increasingly grapples with a persistent dilemma: how to preserve doctrinal coherence while ensuring outcomes that realise substantive justice in concrete disputes. This article analyzes this tension by comparing contemporary legal trajectories in Indonesia and Spain, focusing on whether existing civil codes, procedural frameworks, and judicial reasoning can effectively align legal certainty with equitable results.

Purposes of the Research: The purpose of this study is to examine the interaction between formal rigidity and material fairness within civil law systems. Specifically, it aims to compare the three analytical axes of good faith principles, equitable evidentiary and remedial design, and institutional mechanisms (like appellate oversight) in Indonesia and Spain to guide judicial discretion without eroding predictability.

Methods of the Research: This research employs a normative–comparative approach. It focuses on studying the law 'in the books' and 'in action' by analyzing civil codes, procedural frameworks, judicial precedents (Supreme Court circulars in Indonesia, Constitutional and Supreme Court interpretations in Spain), and scholarly debates, particularly in consumer and contractual disputes.

Results / Main Findings / Novelty/Originality of the Research: The findings reveal both jurisdictions confront parallel challenges: formal rigidity, unequal procedural access, and gaps between normative ideals and lived justice. This study proposes a progressive framework that combines procedural refinement, principled judicial discretion, and responsive legislative adjustment, illustrating how civil law systems can evolve towards judgments that are both predictable and experienced as substantively just.


Keywords


Civil Law Reform, Substantive Justice, Indonesia, Spain, Comparative Law, Judicial Discretion, Codification, Procedural Fairness.


DOI


10.47268/ballrev.v7i1.3697

Published


2026-03-31

How To Cite


APA: Ohoiwutun, M.G., Rahman, A., & Pozo, A.G. (2026). Civil Law Reform Toward Substantive Justice: A Comparative Study Between Indonesia and Spain. Batulis Civil Law Review, 7(1), 41-49. DOI: https://doi.org/10.47268/ballrev.v7i1.3697.
IEEE: M.G. Ohoiwutun, A. Rahman, and A.G. Pozo, "Civil Law Reform Toward Substantive Justice: A Comparative Study Between Indonesia and Spain", Batulis Civ. Law Rev., vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 41-49, Mar. 2026. Accessed on: Apr. 1, 2026. [Online]. Available DOI: https://doi.org/10.47268/ballrev.v7i1.3697
Harvard: Ohoiwutun, M.G., Rahman, A., and Pozo, A.G., (2026). "Civil Law Reform Toward Substantive Justice: A Comparative Study Between Indonesia and Spain". Batulis Civil Law Review, Volume 7(1), pp. 41-49. [Online]. Available DOI: https://doi.org/10.47268/ballrev.v7i1.3697 (Accessed on: 1 April 2026)
Chicago: Ohoiwutun, Martinus Guntur, Ali Rahman, and Antonio Gutierrez Pozo. "Civil Law Reform Toward Substantive Justice: A Comparative Study Between Indonesia and Spain." Batulis Civil Law Review 7, no. 1 (March 31, 2026): 41-49. Accessed April 1, 2026. doi:10.47268/ballrev.v7i1.3697
Vancouver: Ohoiwutun MG, Rahman A, Pozo AG. Civil Law Reform Toward Substantive Justice: A Comparative Study Between Indonesia and Spain. Batulis Civ. Law Rev. [Internet]. 2026 Mar 31 [cited 2026 Apr 1];7(1):41-49. Available from: https://doi.org/10.47268/ballrev.v7i1.3697
MLA 8th: Ohoiwutun, Martinus Guntur, Ali Rahman, and Antonio Gutierrez Pozo. "Civil Law Reform Toward Substantive Justice: A Comparative Study Between Indonesia and Spain." Batulis Civil Law Review, vol. 7, no. 1, 31 Mar. 2026, pp. 41-49, doi:10.47268/ballrev.v7i1.3697. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
BibTeX: 
@article{BALLREV3697,
		author = {Martinus Ohoiwutun and Ali Rahman and Antonio Pozo},
		title = {Civil Law Reform Toward Substantive Justice: A Comparative Study Between Indonesia and Spain},
		journal = {Batulis Civil Law Review},
		volume = {7},
		number = {1},
		year = {2026},
		keywords = {Civil Law Reform, Substantive Justice, Indonesia, Spain, Comparative Law, Judicial Discretion, Codification, Procedural Fairness.},
		abstract = {Introduction: Civil law reform increasingly grapples with a persistent dilemma: how to preserve doctrinal coherence while ensuring outcomes that realise substantive justice in concrete disputes. This article analyzes this tension by comparing contemporary legal trajectories in Indonesia and Spain, focusing on whether existing civil codes, procedural frameworks, and judicial reasoning can effectively align legal certainty with equitable results.Purposes of the Research: The purpose of this study is to examine the interaction between formal rigidity and material fairness within civil law systems. Specifically, it aims to compare the three analytical axes of good faith principles, equitable evidentiary and remedial design, and institutional mechanisms (like appellate oversight) in Indonesia and Spain to guide judicial discretion without eroding predictability.Methods of the Research: This research employs a normative–comparative approach. It focuses on studying the law 'in the books' and 'in action' by analyzing civil codes, procedural frameworks, judicial precedents (Supreme Court circulars in Indonesia, Constitutional and Supreme Court interpretations in Spain), and scholarly debates, particularly in consumer and contractual disputes.Results / Main Findings / Novelty/Originality of the Research: The findings reveal both jurisdictions confront parallel challenges: formal rigidity, unequal procedural access, and gaps between normative ideals and lived justice. This study proposes a progressive framework that combines procedural refinement, principled judicial discretion, and responsive legislative adjustment, illustrating how civil law systems can evolve towards judgments that are both predictable and experienced as substantively just.},
				issn = {2746-8151},		pages = {41--49}			doi = {10.47268/ballrev.v7i1.3697},
				url = {https://fhukum.unpatti.ac.id/jurnal/ballrev/article/view/3697}
		}
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Dublin Core PKP Metadata Items Metadata for this Document
 
1. Title Title of document Civil Law Reform Toward Substantive Justice: A Comparative Study Between Indonesia and Spain
 
2. Creator Author's name, affiliation, country Martinus Guntur Ohoiwutun; Institut Cinta Tanah Air, Biak, Papua; Indonesia
 
2. Creator Author's name, affiliation, country Ali Rahman; Universitas Sawaerigading, Makassar; Indonesia
 
2. Creator Author's name, affiliation, country Antonio Gutierrez Pozo; Facultad de Filologia, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla; Spain orcid
 
3. Subject Discipline(s)
 
3. Subject Keyword(s) Civil Law Reform, Substantive Justice, Indonesia, Spain, Comparative Law, Judicial Discretion, Codification, Procedural Fairness.
 
4. Description Abstract Introduction: Civil law reform increasingly grapples with a persistent dilemma: how to preserve doctrinal coherence while ensuring outcomes that realise substantive justice in concrete disputes. This article analyzes this tension by comparing contemporary legal trajectories in Indonesia and Spain, focusing on whether existing civil codes, procedural frameworks, and judicial reasoning can effectively align legal certainty with equitable results.Purposes of the Research: The purpose of this study is to examine the interaction between formal rigidity and material fairness within civil law systems. Specifically, it aims to compare the three analytical axes of good faith principles, equitable evidentiary and remedial design, and institutional mechanisms (like appellate oversight) in Indonesia and Spain to guide judicial discretion without eroding predictability.Methods of the Research: This research employs a normative–comparative approach. It focuses on studying the law 'in the books' and 'in action' by analyzing civil codes, procedural frameworks, judicial precedents (Supreme Court circulars in Indonesia, Constitutional and Supreme Court interpretations in Spain), and scholarly debates, particularly in consumer and contractual disputes.Results / Main Findings / Novelty/Originality of the Research: The findings reveal both jurisdictions confront parallel challenges: formal rigidity, unequal procedural access, and gaps between normative ideals and lived justice. This study proposes a progressive framework that combines procedural refinement, principled judicial discretion, and responsive legislative adjustment, illustrating how civil law systems can evolve towards judgments that are both predictable and experienced as substantively just.
 
5. Publisher Organizing agency, location Faculty of Law, Universitas Pattimura
 
6. Contributor Sponsor(s)
 
7. Date (YYYY-MM-DD) 2026-03-31
 
8. Type Status & genre Peer-reviewed Article
 
8. Type Type
 
9. Format File format PDF
 
10. Identifier Uniform Resource Identifier https://fhukum.unpatti.ac.id/jurnal/ballrev/article/view/3697
 
10. Identifier Digital Object Identifier 10.47268/ballrev.v7i1.3697
 
11. Source Title; vol., no. (year) Batulis Civil Law Review; Vol 7, No 1 (2026): VOLUME 7 ISSUE 1, MARCH 2026
 
12. Language English=en en
 
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Copyright (c) 2026 Martinus Guntur Ohoiwutun, Ali Rahman, Antonio Gutierrez Pozo

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