Fahri Gunawan Siagian, S.H., M.E., M.H.
PA Tulang Bawang Tengah
Almas Sidda Bahiya, S.H., LL.M.
PA Karangasem
Abstract
This article examines the reconstruction of the Verstek institution within the Indonesian civil procedural law system, particularly as it navigates the transition into the E-Court era. The study explores the inherent tension between the principle of audi et alteram partem (the right to be heard) and the mandate for a speedy, simple, and low-cost judiciary. By analyzing legal foundations such as Article 125 Herzien Inlandsch Reglement (HIR) and Article 149 Rechtreglement voor de Buitengewesten (RBg), alongside Islamic legal principles (Fiqh), the research highlights that Verstek is not an "instant victory" for the Plaintiff but a procedural safeguard requiring judges to actively verify the material truth of a claim. The analysis further identifies critical challenges introduced by judicial modernization through PERMA No. 1 of 2019 and PERMA No. 7 of 2022, specifically regarding the validity of Electronic Summons (E-Summon) and the outdated reliance on physical domicile. The study concludes that while Verstek remains a vital instrument for preventing judicial stagnation, there is an urgent need to redefine "digital domicile" and establish rigorous technical guidelines for electronic notifications to protect the constitutional rights of Defendants in a digital landscape.