KEABSAHAN BUKTI DIGITAL DALAM SENGKETA PERCERAIAN DI PENGADILAN AGAMA: ANALISIS YURIDIS TERHADAP PERKEMBANGAN HUKUM PEMBUKTIAN

Abstract

The advancement of information technology has transformed the evidentiary framework in divorce disputes before Religious Courts. Digital evidence, including WhatsApp conversations, electronic mail, audio recordings, videos, social media screenshots, and other electronic documents, is increasingly submitted as legal evidence to prove marital disputes, infidelity, domestic violence, neglect, and violations of spousal obligations. However, the acceptance and evaluation of such evidence continue to face challenges concerning authenticity, integrity, and evidentiary value within the procedural law framework of Religious Courts. This study aims to analyze the legal validity of digital evidence in divorce disputes before Religious Courts and examine the development of evidentiary law in Indonesia. This research employs a normative juridical method using statutory, conceptual, and case approaches. Legal materials are analyzed through an examination of Law Number 1 of 1974 on Marriage, as amended by Law Number 16 of 2019, Law Number 7 of 1989 on Religious Courts and its amendments, Law Number 11 of 2008 on Electronic Information and Transactions as amended by Law Number 1 of 2024, the Indonesian Civil Code, HIR/RBg procedural provisions, and relevant Religious Court decisions. The findings indicate that digital evidence possesses valid legal standing as long as it fulfills the requirements of authenticity, relevance, legality, and electronic system integrity. Nevertheless, the absence of uniform digital evidence standards within Religious Courts may lead to differences in judicial assessment among judges. This study proposes strengthening digital evidence guidelines through the harmonization of civil procedural law, electronic transaction regulations, and judicial practices to achieve legal certainty, justice, and effective resolution of divorce disputes in the digital era.

Abstrak. Perkembangan teknologi informasi telah mengubah pola pembuktian dalam sengketa perceraian di Pengadilan Agama. Bukti digital, seperti percakapan WhatsApp, surat elektronik, rekaman audio, video, tangkapan layar media sosial, dan dokumen elektronik lainnya, semakin sering diajukan sebagai alat bukti untuk membuktikan perselisihan, perselingkuhan, kekerasan dalam rumah tangga, penelantaran, maupun pelanggaran kewajiban suami istri. Namun, penerimaan dan penilaiannya masih menghadapi persoalan terkait keaslian, integritas, dan kekuatan pembuktian dalam hukum acara peradilan agama. Penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis keabsahan bukti digital dalam sengketa perceraian di Pengadilan Agama serta mengkaji perkembangan hukum pembuktian di Indonesia. Penelitian menggunakan metode yuridis normatif dengan pendekatan perundang-undangan, konseptual, dan kasus. Bahan hukum dianalisis melalui studi terhadap Undang-Undang Nomor 1 Tahun 1974 tentang Perkawinan sebagaimana telah diubah dengan Undang-Undang Nomor 16 Tahun 2019, Undang-Undang Nomor 7 Tahun 1989 tentang Peradilan Agama beserta perubahannya, Undang-Undang Nomor 11 Tahun 2008 tentang Informasi dan Transaksi Elektronik sebagaimana telah diubah dengan Undang-Undang Nomor 1 Tahun 2024, Kitab Undang-Undang Hukum Perdata, HIR/RBg, serta putusan-putusan Pengadilan Agama yang relevan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa bukti digital memiliki kedudukan hukum yang sah sepanjang memenuhi persyaratan autentisitas, relevansi, legalitas, dan integritas sistem elektronik. Meskipun demikian, belum adanya standar pembuktian digital yang seragam di lingkungan Peradilan Agama berpotensi menimbulkan perbedaan penilaian antarhakim. Penelitian ini menawarkan penguatan pedoman pembuktian digital melalui harmonisasi hukum acara perdata, regulasi ITE, dan praktik peradilan guna mewujudkan kepastian hukum, keadilan, dan efektivitas penyelesaian sengketa perceraian di era digital.