Digitalization of Religious Courts and Transformation of Islamic Family Law in Indonesia: Analysis of Institutional Innovation and Implementation of e-Court

Abstract

The digital transformation within Indonesia’s judicial system has brought significant changes to the governance of case resolution, including within the realm of Islamic family law. This study aims to analyse the implementation of the e-Court system within the religious court environment and its impact on procedural effectiveness, transparency, and justice in family law cases such as divorce, alimony, and child custody. The research employs a juridical-empirical approach, analysing Supreme Court regulations, particularly Supreme Court Regulation (PERMA) No. 3 of 2018 on Electronic Court Administration, along with case studies from several religious courts that have implemented digital services. The findings reveal that the adoption of e-Court accelerates administrative processes, reduces litigation costs, and enhances public access to justice, especially for parties residing far from the court. However, challenges remain, including limited digital literacy, uneven network infrastructure, and the need to adapt Islamic family law norms to online judicial practices. This study asserts that the digitalization of religious courts is not merely a technical innovation but a strategic reform aimed at aligning Islamic family law with modern social dynamics. The integration of technology and Sharia values is thus essential in realising a fair, efficient, and ethical family judiciary in the era of digital disruption.