PERAN KEPALA DESA SEBAGAI MEDIATOR DALAM PENYELESAIAN SENGKETA HARTA WARIS DI DESA GIRIMOYO

Inheritance disputes are common in rural areas, including in Girimoyo Village, Karangploso Subdistrict. Pursuant to Article 26, Paragraph (4), Letter (l) of the Village Law, the Village Head is tasked with resolving community disputes within the village. This study aims to analyze the role of the Village Head as a mediator and how the Village Head, in this capacity, addresses the challenges faced in resolving inheritance disputes in Girimoyo Village. The research method employed in this study is empirical legal research, with data collected through interviews and document analysis. The results of the study indicate that the Village Head acts as a mediator who facilitates meetings between the disputing parties and encourages problem-solving through deliberation and a sense of community; however, this role remains suboptimal because the Village Head has not been equipped with mediation skills or legal education. Supporting factors in the mediation process include the community’s trust in the Village Head, a strong culture of deliberation, and familial ties within the community. Meanwhile, the identified inhibiting factors include a lack of trust from one of the parties, incomplete or forged documents related to the inheritance, and interference from uninvolved third parties.