Abstrak
Abstract: This study aims to analyze the juridical application of the Supreme Court Circular Letter (SEMA) Number 1 of 2022 in divorce cases due to continuous disputes and quarrels, with a case study at the Religious Court of Sukadana. The research employs a qualitative approach with an empirical juridical method, focusing on the analysis of court decisions and divorce certificates as primary legal documents. The findings reveal that the implementation of SEMA Number 1 of 2022 is not explicitly stated in the judge’s legal considerations; however, it is substantively reflected in the decision-making process. In Decision Number 328/Pdt.G/2026/PA.Sdn, the panel of judges based their ruling on factual conditions, including prolonged marital conflict since 2017, separation of residence for approximately four years, and the absence of reconciliation prospects. These conditions align with the substantive indicators outlined in the SEMA. The study also finds a gap between normative provisions and judicial practice, particularly in evidentiary aspects, where cases decided in absentia (verstek) rely predominantly on one-sided evidence. Judges tend to adopt a pragmatic and sociological approach to ensure substantive justice rather than strictly adhering to formal legal norms. Furthermore, the issuance of a divorce certificate as the final legal product confirms the juridical consequences of the decision and ensures legal certainty regarding the parties’ marital status. This research highlights the need for consistency in explicitly incorporating SEMA provisions in judicial reasoning while maintaining a balance between normative compliance and contextual justice in religious court practices