EFEKTIVITAS BANTUAN HUKUM GRATIS DI INDONESIA: ANTARA REGULASI DAN REALITA

Abstract

Free legal aid is a constitutional right of every citizen, especially for poor and marginalized groups who cannot afford legal services independently. Indonesia has formally regulated this right in Law Number 16 of 2011 concerning Legal Aid. However, in practice, various obstacles still limit the effectiveness of the provision of legal aid, ranging from limited geographic access, the quality and quantity of Legal Aid Organizations (OBH), to the public's lack of understanding of their right to legal aid. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation of free legal aid in Indonesia by comparing existing regulations with the reality of its implementation on the ground. Using a qualitative descriptive approach and literature review, it was found that the free legal aid policy still faces systemic and structural challenges that require comprehensive reform, both in terms of regulation, funding, and institutional capacity.