Integrating Constructive Res Judicata into Indonesian Civil Procedure Law: Lessons from India

Erwin Susilo; Dharma Setiawan Negara; Joel Niyobuhungiro; Rachman Maulana Kafrawi

doi:10.33474/yur.v9i1.25148

Authors

Erwin Susilo Pangkalan Balai District Court
Dharma Setiawan Negara Law Study Program Faculty of Law and Social Universitas Sunan Giri Surabaya
Joel Niyobuhungiro Faculty of Law University of Debrecen
Rachman Maulana Kafrawi Law Study Program Faculty of Law Social and Political Sciences Universitas Mataram

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33474/yur.v9i1.25148

Keywords:

Res Judicata, Constructive Res Judicata, Finality of Judgment, Civil Procedure Law, Legal Certainty

Abstract

The persistently high volume of civil litigation in Indonesia raises concerns regarding the effectiveness of the res judicata doctrine in ensuring the finality of judicial decisions. Although Article 1917 of the Indonesian Civil Code regulates the binding force of court judgments, it does not explicitly recognize constructive res judicata. This omission creates a normative gap that allows litigants to re-litigate disputes through different legal formulations despite substantially similar factual circumstances. This study examines the regulation of res judicata in Indonesian civil procedure law, compares it with Article 11 of the Indian Code of Civil Procedure 1908, and explores the conceptual feasibility of integrating constructive res judicata into the Indonesian legal system. A doctrinal legal research method is employed, using statutory, conceptual, and comparative approaches. The findings indicate that the absence of constructive res judicata weakens the principle of legal finality and contributes to repetitive litigation, thereby reducing judicial efficiency and consistency in adjudication. In contrast, the Indian legal system adopts a broader interpretation of res judicata that more effectively prevents re-litigation of matters that have been substantively decided. This study provides a renewed doctrinal perspective by systematically re-evaluating the scope of res judicata in Indonesia through comparative analysis. Instead of merely identifying regulatory deficiencies, it develops an argument for doctrinal refinement by introducing constructive res judicata as a potential legal development. Its contribution lies in proposing a strengthened interpretative framework that enhances legal certainty, prevents abuse of process, and improves the efficiency and coherence of Indonesia’s civil justice system.

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