Category: Legal Articles

Why Do Lawyers Defend Drug Traffickers?

Posted by Irfan Disnizar, SH. on

In Indonesia, drug trafficking has always been a significant category of criminal cases and often involves a high proportion of foreign nationals. The harm caused by drug traffickers to society is undeniable, and therefore, drug trafficking is considered a serious crime in many countries, including Indonesia, where it can carry the death penalty.

So, why do lawyers defend drug traffickers? This question has sparked numerous discussions regarding legal ethics and professional responsibility. Representing drug sellers in court may raise moral controversies in society, but as part of the legal profession, lawyers have a responsibility to ensure that everyone receives fair legal representation.

Firstly, it’s worth noting that lawyers have ethical and legal obligations to respect and protect the rights of their clients. This includes providing legal representation to those accused of criminal activities. Various countries’ laws explicitly provide for this. According to Article 54 of Indonesia’s Criminal Procedure Code, “For the interests of defense, a suspect or defendant has the right to obtain legal assistance from one or more legal advisors during each stage of examination, according to the procedures specified in this law.” Similarly, the Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states, “in all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right . . . to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.” Article 35 of the Criminal Procedure Law of China stipulates: “If a criminal suspect or defendant, due to economic difficulties or other reasons, does not appoint a defense counsel, the person themselves or their close relatives may apply to the legal aid agency. For those who meet the criteria for legal aid, the legal aid agency shall appoint a lawyer to provide defense. If the criminal suspect or defendant is blind, deaf, mute, or has not completely lost the ability to recognize or control their behavior, and has not appointed a defense counsel, the people’s court, procuratorate, and public security organs shall notify the legal aid agency to appoint a lawyer to provide defense. If the criminal suspect or defendant may be sentenced to life imprisonment or death penalty, and has not appointed a defense counsel, the people’s court, procuratorate, and public security organs shall notify the legal aid agency to appoint a lawyer to provide defense.” This means that even for behaviors generally considered immoral or harmful by society, lawyers must respect their clients’ rights and make every effort to defend them.

Secondly, the role of lawyers is to ensure the fairness and impartiality of the judicial system. Even if the accused may be seen as criminals, they must undergo a fair trial through due process. Lawyers’ duty is to ensure the legality of evidence and guarantee a fair trial for the accused. If lawyers were to refuse to defend certain clients based on personal moral beliefs, it could threaten the fairness of the judicial system.

Furthermore, lawyers’ work is not just about defending the accused but also ensuring the proper functioning of the judicial process. By representing the accused, lawyers have the opportunity to raise objections, defend, and challenge, which contributes to the transparency and effectiveness of the judicial system.

Lastly, lawyers serve not only as advocates but also as legal advisors. When representing drug traffickers and other defendants, lawyers may provide legal advice to help them understand their rights and responsibilities. This legal guidance ensures that defendants are treated fairly throughout the judicial process and can make informed decisions.

In conclusion, the reasons why lawyers defend drug traffickers stem from their obligation to fulfill their legal duties and responsibilities and ensure the fairness of the judicial process. Although this may provoke moral controversies, lawyers’ mission is to ensure that everyone receives fair legal representation and a fair trial through due process.

Bringing Justice into the Digital Age: The Transformation of Indonesia’s E-Court System

Posted by Dr. Guan Yue on

Indonesia, as a continuously developing nation, views technological innovation not only as a tool for economic and social progress but also as a means to enhance its judicial system. In an effort to provide easier, faster, and more transparent access to justice, Indonesia has launched the E-Court system aimed at reshaping the country’s judicial landscape.

What is the E-Court System?

E-Court is a service for Registered Users to Register Cases Online, Obtain Estimates of Case Deposit Fees Online, Make Online Payments, Summonings Conducted through Electronic Channels, and Electronic Hearings.

Benefits of the E-Court System

  1. Improved Accessibility: One of the primary benefits of the E-Court system is providing easier access to justice for the public. By enabling online submission of documents and monitoring of case progress, individuals no longer need to physically visit the court, saving time and travel costs.
  2. Faster Processes: By eliminating the need for manual handling of documents and other administrative processes, the E-Court system helps expedite the judicial process. This can reduce case backlogs and ensure that court decisions can be reached more quickly.
  3. Efficiency and Transparency: With all documents available online, both parties involved in a case and the public can access information more easily. This enhances the transparency of the judicial system and makes legal processes easier to monitor.
  4. Data Security: The E-Court system is designed with high standards of data security to protect sensitive data related to legal cases. With robust data encryption and strict access controls, the system provides better security to prevent data breaches.

Challenges and Future Development

While the E-Court system offers many benefits, its implementation is not without challenges. Some challenges include uneven technological infrastructure across Indonesia, the need for court staff training on technology usage, and ensuring that access to the system is not discriminatory against individuals who may lack internet access.

To address these challenges, the government and relevant stakeholders need to continue developing the E-Court system by allocating sufficient resources, providing adequate training, and ensuring that technological infrastructure is available evenly across Indonesia.

The future development of the E-Court system should also consider aspects such as integration with international judicial systems, the use of artificial intelligence for legal data analysis, and the development of mobile applications to enhance accessibility.

Conclusion

The E-Court system is a significant step forward in modernizing Indonesia’s judicial system. By providing better accessibility, expediting judicial processes, improving efficiency, and enhancing transparency, E-Court brings hope for greater justice to all segments of society. However, to realize its full potential, sustained efforts are needed from all stakeholders to address challenges and continuously develop the system towards a more inclusive and effective future.

“Civil Litigation” or “Criminal Reporting”?

Posted by Dr. Guan Yue on

In Indonesia, civil litigation and criminal reporting are two main avenues for resolving legal disputes. Although both are integral parts of the judicial system, they exhibit distinct differences and applicability in practice. This article will explore a comparison between using civil litigation and criminal reporting to resolve legal disputes in Indonesia, including their procedures, purposes, and impacts.

Civil Litigation

Civil litigation refers to disputes between individuals or entities involving contracts, property rights, damages claims, and the like. In Indonesia, civil litigation procedures are relatively formal, typically requiring parties to engage lawyers to represent them. The following are the general procedures of civil litigation:

  1. Filing of Lawsuit: The plaintiff submits a complaint to the court, stating their claims and factual basis.
  2. Defense: The defendant submits a defense within the specified period, stating their position and defense reasons.
  3. Exchange of Evidence: Both parties exchange evidence and present witness testimonies in court to support their claims.
  4. Trial: The court conducts a trial, hearing arguments, evidence, and debates from both parties, and eventually renders a judgment.

Criminal Reporting

Criminal reporting involves actions that violate criminal law such as theft, assault, fraud, and so forth. In Indonesia, the process of criminal reporting is led by the police and prosecutors, typically without direct involvement of the victim but represented by public institutions. The following are the general procedures of criminal reporting:

  1. Filing a Report: The victim reports the incident to the police, providing relevant evidence and testimonies.
  2. Investigation: The police conduct an investigation, gather evidence, and take necessary actions such as arresting suspects.
  3. Prosecution: Based on the investigation results, the prosecutor decides whether to prosecute the suspect in court or not.
  4. Trial: The court holds a trial, hears evidence and arguments from both parties, and eventually makes a judgment.

Comparative Analysis

  1. Purpose: Civil litigation aims to restore the rights of the victim and compensate for losses through economic compensation or other civil remedies. On the other hand, criminal reporting aims to punish criminal behavior, maintain social order, and public interests.
  2. Evidence Standard: In civil litigation, the evidence standard is usually “balance of probabilities,” where the decision is based on the credibility of evidence. Whereas in criminal reporting, the evidence standard requires evidence to be conclusive, beyond reasonable doubt, proving the defendant’s guilt.
  3. Parties Involved: Civil litigation involves private disputes between parties, requiring active participation and self-bearing of litigation costs from the disputing parties. Conversely, criminal reporting is handled by public institutions such as the police and prosecutors, with minimal involvement from the victim.
  4. Impact of Judgments: Judgments in civil litigation typically result in economic compensation or injunctions, without involving the restriction of the defendant’s freedom. Whereas judgments in criminal reporting may lead to the defendant being convicted and facing imprisonment, fines, or other penalties.

Conclusion

Civil litigation and criminal reporting are two common ways to resolve legal disputes in Indonesia, each with different procedures, purposes, and impacts. The choice between the two depends on specific circumstances such as the nature of the dispute, the extent of harm, and the willingness of the disputing parties. Regardless of the chosen method, Indonesia’s judicial institutions are committed to resolving legal disputes fairly and effectively, to uphold the rights of citizens and maintain social order.

The Importance of Legal Opinion for Foreign Companies in Business Operations in Indonesia

Posted by Irfan Disnizar, SH. on

In an era of global economic integration, foreign companies seeking to expand their business must fully understand and comply with the legal regulations of their target markets. For foreign companies engaging in business activities in Indonesia, a comprehensive legal opinion is particularly crucial. This article will explore the pivotal role of legal opinions in the Indonesian business environment and why foreign companies should consider them an indispensable guide.

  • The Complexity of the Legal Environment

Indonesia’s legal system comprises various regulations, decrees, and legal traditions, including national law, Islamic law, and indigenous customary law. The diverse legal landscape makes it challenging for foreign companies to comprehend and adhere to all regulations without professional legal guidance. A well-prepared legal opinion can assist foreign companies in navigating the intricate legal framework, ensuring that their business actions are both legal and compliant with local laws.

  • Investment Protection and Risk Management

Business investments in Indonesia may encounter a range of legal risks, including but not limited to contract disputes, intellectual property issues, labor regulations, and tax laws. A detailed legal opinion can help foreign companies identify potential legal risks and provide corresponding risk management advice. Additionally, legal opinions can offer insights into the investment protection mechanisms within Indonesia’s legal system, ensuring that the interests of foreign investors are effectively safeguarded.

  • Compliance and Business Ethics

Legal opinions, not only address regulatory compliance but also focus on the ethical compliance of business conduct. In Indonesia, business actions are often closely tied to culture, religion, and societal values. Business practices that do not align with local ethical standards may lead to social controversies. Through legal opinions, foreign companies can better understand the local culture and ethical background, enabling them to adjust their business strategies and ensure a positive image and reputation in the Indonesian market.

  • Establishing Sound Business Relationships

A thorough legal opinion can play a critical role when foreign companies establish business relationships with Indonesian partners. Clear contracts, agreements, and legal assurances provide a robust legal foundation for business dealings, reducing uncertainty and disputes during the cooperation process. This, in turn, helps build long-term, stable business partnerships.

In the process of entering the Indonesian market, foreign companies need to recognize the complexity of Indonesia’s legal environment and cultural background. A comprehensive legal opinion can guide foreign companies in their business actions, ensuring that their operations are not only legal and compliant but also ethically aligned with local business standards. Therefore, foreign companies engaging in business activities in Indonesia should consider a legal opinion an essential tool to minimize legal risks and enhance the chances of business success.

The Multidimensional Perspective of Justice: Pursuing the Eternal Principles of Fairness

Posted by Dr. Guan Yue on

Justice, this abstract and far-reaching concept, runs through the history and progress of human society. From ancient times to the present, people have continuously explored the essence of justice, often getting entangled in debates between different ideologies and perspectives. Justice is not a singular concept; it is a multidimensional tapestry encompassing numerous layers of values and meanings. In this article, we will attempt to understand justice from different angles and explore the eternal principles of seeking fairness.

1. The Individual Dimension of Justice

At the individual level, justice involves respecting, equality, and dignity for each person. Everyone has the right to fair and equitable treatment, free from discrimination based on race, gender, religion, or social status. At this level, justice is closely connected to human rights, with people pursuing fundamental humanitarian values, hoping to attain respect and freedom within society.

2. The Social Dimension of Justice

At the social level, justice concerns the fairness and harmony of the entire society. Social justice demands rational distribution of resources, ensuring that every individual has equal opportunities to develop and realize their potential. Reducing wealth disparities, equitable distribution of education and healthcare resources, and efficient functioning of public services are all crucial to achieving social justice. Justice here is not only a moral demand but also the foundation of social stability and prosperity.

3. The Legal Dimension of Justice

Law is one of the significant manifestations of justice. Through law, society can punish unfair behaviors, safeguard citizens’ rights, and maintain social order. However, the law itself needs continuous examination and improvement to ensure its alignment with moral values. Justice requires the support of the law, and good laws should reflect the principles of justice rather than becoming tools of power.

4. The Global Dimension of Justice

With the development of globalization, the scope of justice has expanded to a global level. Global justice calls for cooperation and consensus across national borders, focusing on the development of impoverished regions, climate change and environmental protection, and humanitarian care for refugees and immigrants. At this level, countries need to transcend selfishness and work together to maximize the overall interests of humanity.

5. The Time Dimension of Justice

Justice also has a time dimension. Historical injustices and prejudices may need to be confronted, and historical reparations and truth investigations become a part of achieving justice. Meanwhile, present choices for justice inevitably influence the future. We need to create a more just and harmonious society for the next generation, which is both a responsibility and reward for the past and present.

6. The Multicultural Dimension of Justice

Justice is not universal; different cultures and traditions have different interpretations of justice. Respecting cultural diversity and understanding its unique contributions to justice are key to achieving global justice. Dialogue and inclusivity among cultures will help eliminate misunderstandings and biases and achieve a cross-cultural perspective of justice.

7. The Persevering Pursuit

Although justice is an ideal goal, it does not mean it is unattainable. The pursuit of justice is an enduring issue for humanity, requiring relentless efforts from every generation. In this process, we may never reach perfect justice, but our unwavering efforts will gradually bring us closer on the path of progress.

Conclusion

Justice is a complex concept, involving multiple layers of meanings and pursuits. In the dimensions of the individual, society, law, global, time, and culture, we strive for fairness, equality, respect, and harmony. Justice is not immutable; it should evolve and improve with the development of time. Only by persistently pursuing justice can we find a way to coexist more justly and beautifully in this diverse and intricate world.

Company Obligations when Dismissing Employees

Posted by Irfan Disnizar, SH. on

Basically, if the company is going to lay off its employees, there are a number of things that must be paid to the employees, including: Severance Pay, Service Reward Money, and Compensation, with the following calculations:

Severance Pay:

  1. working period less than 1 year, 1 month wage;
  2. working period of 1 year or more but less than 2 years, 2 months wages;
  3. working period of 2 years or more but less than 3 years, 3 months wages;
  4. working period of 3 years or more but less than 4 years, 4 months wages;
  5. working period of 4 years or more but less than 5 years, 5 months wages;
  6. working period of 5 years or more, but less than 6 years, 6 months wages;
  7. working period of 6 years or more but less than 7 years, 7 months wages;
  8. working period of 7 years or more but less than 8 years, 8 months wages;
  9. 8 years of service or more, 9 months wages.

Service Reward Money:

  1. working period of 3 years or more but less than 6 years, 2 months wages;
  2. working period of 6 years or more but less than 9 years, 3 months wages;
  3. working period of 9 years or more but less than 12 years, 4 months wages;
  4. working period of 12 years or more but less than 15 years, 5 months wages;
  5. working period of 15 years or more but less than 18 years, 6 months wages;
  6. working period of 18 years or more but less than 21 years, 7 months wages;
  7. working period of 21 years or more but less than 24 years, 8 months wages;
  8. 24 years of service or more, 10 months wages.

Compensation:

  1. annual leave that has not been taken and has not fallen;
  2. costs or fees for returning workers and their families to the place where workers are accepted to work;
  3. other matters stipulated in work agreements, company regulations, or collective labor agreements.

Dari semua perhitungan di atas dapat di tambah atau di kurangi sesuai dengan keadaan yang terjadi misalnya,  M&A dalam perusahaan, karyawan di PHK menjelang masa Pensiun atau PHK karena Karyawan meninggal dunia atau mengalami cacat parah yang menyebabkan Karyawan tersebut tidak dapat bekerja Kembali, dan beberapa keadaan lainnya.

The Structure of The Legal Opinion (LO)

Posted by Dr. Guan Yue on

So far, Queen Law Firm has issued Legal Opinions for many companies around the world, including online games, mining, tourism, transportation, virtual currency, real estate development, international trade, medical equipment, company listing, new energy, high-speed rail, securities, etc. for many industries and uses. Today, Queen Law Firm would like to summarize the composition of a Legal Opinion, so enterprises and individuals interested in Legal Opinion can better understand the professionalism and importance of Legal Opinion.

A Legal Opinion is a professional legal document that gives detailed legal answers to one or more issues on the basis of studying existing laws and regulations. The role of Legal Opinion is very important. It can ensure that enterprises avoid possible legal risks when conducting certain commercial activities, and obtain the maximum profit at the minimum cost within the scope permitted by law. Legal Opinions are generally divided into the following five parts:

  1. Legal Basis
    This part lists the current laws and regulations that will be used in the Legal Opinion. Because all opinions in the Legal Opinion will be given based on these laws and regulations.
  2. Chronology of Facts
    This part is a statement of some facts, such as the basic situation of the client, the legality of the documents and materials submitted by the client, and so on.
  3. Problem Identification
    This part will list the questions that the Legal Opinion will answer.
  4. Legal Opinion
    This part will provide legal professionals and detailed answers to the questions raised by the client in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, and give corresponding suggestions. In this part, there will be a rigorous legal logic system. By analyzing various legal articles related to the issue, the rationality and legality of the legal opinion will be determined. For individual types of Legal Opinions, there will also be case analysis, government policy research, etc.
  5. Conclusion
    In this part, the answers to the questions will be listed again in a summary manner, so that client can refer to them in later operations.

It can be seen that a good Legal Opinion has a rigorous system. Because a good Legal Opinion must be able to maximize the protection of the interests of the client. It can be said that a good Legal Opinion is the compass for the enterprise in the process of implementing the plan.

Requirements for Letter of No Objection to Marriage

Posted by Dr. Guan Yue on

Chinese citizens domiciled in Indonesia and Indonesian citizens have registered their marriage with the Indonesian population department. At the request of the Indonesian population department, Chinese nationals can apply for a “Letter of No Objection to Marriage”. To apply for a marriage certificate without objections, you will need to prepare the following materials:

  1. Original and copy of foreigner’s passport;
  2. Foreigners at the domestic notary office issue a “notarization of unmarried information” and to the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or local foreign offices, Indonesian embassies and consulates in China to carry out “double certification”;
  3. Original and copy of Kitas Foreigner;
  4. Foreign companies working in Indonesia issue evidence that they work in Indonesia;
  5. Proof of entering a foreigner’s religion (depending on the religion of the Indonesian citizen);
  6. Original passport and copy of Indonesian passport;
  7. Original evidence from single letter of Indonesian citizen (civil registration/KUA);
  8. The original household registration card (KK) and a copy of the Indonesian citizen;
  9. Each is handwritten in one copy at the time of introduction and signed and dated (Contents: time, when and where to get acquainted, how to get acquainted, duration of communication between the two parties, language of communication between the two parties, whether you have met each other’s family members others, do you know each other’s family situation, whether the Indonesian citizen concerned has ever visited China, do you intend to stay in Indonesia after marriage, etc.);
  10. 3 photos together (better if you can attach a photo of the meeting with parents).

*Embassies and Consulates will not issue a “Letter of No Objection to Marriage” for Chinese nationals who come to Indonesia temporarily or for a short period of time.

*After the initial inspection, the Embassy may ask you to provide other relevant supporting materials according to your situation.

The Role and Function of Retainer

Posted by Dr. Guan Yue on

The term retainer may be foreign to most people, so there are still many people who question whether it is a retainer? The retainer is a legal relationship between a lawyer and his client where the legal relationship is continuous and continuous in general, the legal relationship is carried out for a minimum of one year, so it can be said that the Retainer is a Permanent Legal Counsel.

Basically, Retainers can be used by companies or individuals before a legal problem occurs or after a legal problem occurs, with the function of protecting the company so that legal problems do not occur.

The function of the retainer for the company is as a legal consultant who can handle litigation and non-litigation cases including:

Litigation

In litigation cases, the retainer can help the client represent, accompany and provide legal assistance as a plaintiff or defendant, petitioner or respondent, and as a witness in a civil case while in a criminal case the retainer can help a client represent, assist and provide legal assistance as a reporter or the reported, suspect or defendant in a legal case.

Non-litigation

In non-litigation cases, the retainer functions as a legal advisor who provides legal explanations and views in accordance with Indonesian law relating to companies.

The scope of the retainer in non-litigation includes making agreements, reviewing agreements, making legal opinions, legal drafting, legal audits, preparing GMS documents, and helping to take care of the required company permits.

In using retainer services in a legal matter, it is highly recommended for the client, because it has greater advantages than using the services of an ordinary lawyer. These advantages include reducing the cost of legal consultants and providing varied services that can help with litigation and non-litigation problems so that they are not fixed on one case and can even solve several cases at the same time.

Suspension of Debt Payment Obligations (PKPU)

Posted by Dr. Guan Yue on

In the business world, the problem of debt and receivables has become a very common problem, many entrepreneurs complain about this problem because it can result in the company’s cash flow decreasing. One of the ways to solve these problems can be solved by Suspension of Debt Payment Obligations (in Indonesian: Penundaan Kewajiban Pembayaran Utang, abbreviation: PKPU) which can be submitted to the Commercial Court.

The legal basis for PKPU has been regulated in Law Number 37 of 2004 concerning Bankruptcy and PKPU or abbreviated as UUK 2004 in Article 222 paragraph (2). Which states that:

 “Debtors who cannot or expect not to be able to continue paying their debts that are due and collectible may request a suspension of debt payment obligations with a view to submitting a reconciliation plan which includes an offer to pay part or all of the debt to creditors.”

In Indonesian law, PKPU is divided into two, namely Temporary PKPU and Permanent PKPU. Temporary PKPU is decided by the Commercial Court and is valid for 45 days after the decision is readout. Within these 45 days, the Debtor is required to make a reconciliation plan and a scheme for the settlement of his debts to the Creditor. Meanwhile, the Permanent PKPU will take effect within 270 days of the provisional PKPU decision being readout. Within those 270 days, the Debtor has prepared a plan for the settlement of his obligations, not the deadline for repayment. If there is no agreement between the Debtor and Creditor by the time limit, the Commercial Court will decide the Debtor is bankrupt and confiscate the property the Debtor owns in order to pay off the debt.

We can conclude that PKPU is one of the simple, fast, and low-cost business dispute resolutions. Because it doesn’t take as long as a Civil Lawsuit in District Court.