Substitute registrar Mardian Wibowo and expert assistant to constitutional justice Bisariyadi welcoming law students of Universitas Indonesia, Thursday (10/5/2023). Photo by MKRI/ Yok Banoe.

---

JAKARTA (MKRI) — A number of students of the Law Faculty of Universitas Indonesia (FH UI) visited the Constitutional Court (MK) on Thursday, October 5, 2023. They were welcomed by substitute registrar Mardian Wibowo and expert assistant to constitutional justice Bisariyadi in the delegation room. The two Court employees then engaged them in a light discussion about the professions in the Court. They went into greater detail on the role of substitute registrars, who assist constitutional justices in handling cases.

Mardian Wibowo, also known as Aan, revealed that the Court has one chief registrar, and three deputy registrars, and first and second substitute registrars. The duties of the substitute registrar are focused on case management.

“In short, once the Petitioner submits the petition, it becomes the Registrar’s Office’s responsibility until the decision is handed down and the case files are or archived at the National Archives of the Republic of Indonesia (ANRI). Thus, after the Petitioner comes, submits a petition, the completeness of key and supporting administrative documents are examined and then stamped, the case becomes a constitutional case that the Court must adjudicate and decide,” explained Aan.

Aan stated that after the case administration is complete, the Registrar’s Office will schedule the hearing and distribute the case files to the justices. Afterwards, the proceedings will start with a preliminary hearing where the panel of justices will hear the subject matter in an open, public hearing. They are obliged to provide advice to the petitioner on the submitted petition as regulated in Court’s procedural law.

In addition, Aan explained that the Court’s substitute registrars must be prepared to take any types of legal cases filed by citizens and are required to understand them in every aspect. “That’s why it is important for substitute registrars to have strong legal reasoning skills. If this is fulfilled, then there will be no difficulty working as substitute registrars,” he said.

Managerial Skills

In the casual discussion, Bisariyadi, also known as Bisar, added to Aan’s statement. He said that in order to become a substitute registrar in the Constitutional Court, university students can learn the necessary skills, for example by actively participating in student organizations that will provide an insight on and help develop managerial skills.

“So, managerial knowledge is gained in organizations while in college. Meanwhile, the Court, especially for substitute registrars and expert assistants to constitutional justices, is a place for practicing everything that has been learned while in college and in organizations,” he said.

Applying to be Substitute Registrar

During the discussion, student Al Farizi asked two questions. First, the steps to becoming a substitute registrar for law graduates; second, managerial duties during the general/regional election.

In response to the questions, Aan explained that a substitute registrar must be prepared to accept any case and take it seriously as it can significantly impact the fate of the legal subjects involved.

Furthermore, Aan also stated that the first step to become the substitute registrar position in the Constitutional Court is not open for fresh law graduates. Instead, one should apply as an employee of the Court in judicial administration, particularly in the Registrar’s Office. Then, only after 2-4 years of experience, can an employee apply and undergo several tests to be a substitute registrar.

He also explained that managerial tasks during the general/regional election are similar to those during judicial review. However, the number of cases registered in the Court during the resolution of general/regional election result disputes is very high. In this situation, the Court will augment its personnel.

“The Court will appoint ad hoc substitute registrars who are selected from among the employees who are law graduates. For that agenda, the most challenging aspect is risk management. This means, in resolving election results disputes (PHP), substitute registrars and all employees must find ways to protect themselves from pressure, offers from various parties, ensure their integrity, and build strong relationships while handling cases, so that they can protect themselves from disturbances that will undermine their performance as a court employee, especially for substitute registrars,” he said.

Author       : Sri Pujianti
Editor        : Nur R.
Translator  : Najwa Afifah Lukman/Yuniar Widiastuti (NL)

Disclaimer: The original version of the news is in Indonesian. In case of any differences between the English and the Indonesian versions, the Indonesian version will prevail.

---