Handbook

This course will provide students with an introduction to the contemporary Indonesian legal system. Indonesia is the world’s third largest democracy and the world’s largest Muslim-majority country. Since 1998 and the end of authoritarian rule, the country has experienced significant legal and constitutional reform. These reforms have been accompanied by a growing legal profession and changes in legal education. There has also been a major expansion and specialisation in the judicial system, with a range of new courts established. Indonesia is a civil law system, though it is also influenced by aspects of Islamic law and indigenous traditions. Core themes of the course include: law reform in transitional and democratising states; constitutional law; the role of courts; judicial review; human rights; and religion-state relations. This course is for students who are interested in deepening their understanding of mixed and civil law legal systems through a focused study of Indonesia. The course will equip students going into legal practise or into other sectors with a broad knowledge of the Indonesian legal system, understanding of contemporary debates in law reform, the role of the courts and an appreciation for legal pluralism.