The Role and Function of Legal Aid Posts (Posbakum) at Biak’s Religious Court Class IIB

Abstract

This study aims to examine the roles and functions of the legal aid posts (Posbakum) at Biak Religious Court Class IIB according to the the national supreme court decree Number 1 of 2014. This study was carried out at Biak Religious Court by applying an empirical juridical approach. Data were collected through field observations and interviews with respondents. Data analysis was carried out in a qualitative descriptive manner. The results showed that the implementation of the legal aid units at Biak Religious Court in providing services for the poor in general had been carried out very well according to the national supreme court decree Number 1 of 2014, but the community still had difficulties for the unavailability of direct assistance by the units’ officers. It is worried that those who receive legal services will fall into the category of people who are financially able to pay for an advocate. It was found that there are no regulations so far that stipulate the restriction (criteria) for people who are financially incapable of paying for advocate services. This research is expected to provide information for the people of Biak in particular, and people outside Biak in general regarding the benefits of legal aid services for the lower-class community.