Single National Registry of Advocates as an Instrument for Reforming the Governance of Advocate Organizations in Indonesia

Abstract

This research analyzes the regulation of lawyer registration within the governance of lawyer organizations in Indonesia, focusing on the fragmentation caused by the multi‑bar system. Law Number 18 of 2003 concerning Advocates has not comprehensively established a national registration system, resulting in separate administration by each organization. This condition creates a lack of integrated lawyer data, weak mechanisms for verifying professional status, and diminished legal certainty for the public as users of legal services. The study employs a normative legal method with statutory, conceptual, and comparative approaches, analyzing legal materials qualitatively through systematic, conceptual, and comparative interpretation. Comparative practices in England, the United States, and Malaysia demonstrate the importance of a unified registry to ensure transparency, accountability, and effective supervision. Findings reveal a normative gap in Indonesia’s current regulation, as it has not yet provided a single professional identity, interoperable data, or integrated mechanisms across organizations. Based on comparative analysis, the research proposes the reconstruction of a Single National Registry of Advocates, integrating identity, registration number, appointment status, oath‑taking, practice status, and disciplinary history into one system while respecting organizational autonomy. Amendments to Law Number 18 of 2003 are required to achieve modern governance, greater legal certainty, and optimal public protection.