International Journal of Law Policy and Governance

Evaluating the resolving disputes practices of Lupong Tagapamayapa

Yasser Andan — 2025-11-21

Purpose – This paper aims to assess how the Lupong Tagapamayapa is effective in resolving disputes, based on the perceptions of local residents in Barangay Bual Sur, Midsayap, Cotabato, Philippines. It also explores whether socio-demographic factors influence how people view the system’s effectiveness.
Methodology/approach – A descriptive-correlational approach was used. A total of 114 individuals who had experienced dispute resolution through the Lupong Tagapamayapa were selected through purposive sampling. Respondents rated the system’s performance in four areas: understanding of the barangay justice system, clarity of procedures, decision-making, and interpersonal skills. Correlation analysis was conducted to examine links between demographic traits and perceptions of effectiveness.
Findings – Findings revealed a positive but weak relationship between age and perceived effectiveness across all domains, with correlation coefficients ranging from r = 0.297 to r = 0.349 (p ≤ 0.001), and older constituents tending to view the system more favorably. In contrast, sex and employment status were not significantly associated with perceptions of effectiveness (p > 0.05). The Lupong Tagapamayapa was rated highly effective, with overall domain means ranging from 3.877 to 3.916 (on a 1–5 scale).
Novelty/value – Local justice systems play a fundamental and pivotal role in community peacebuilding. Our findings stress not only the strengths of the Lupong Tagapamayapa, particularly in legal knowledge and interpersonal skills, but also the importance of engaging younger members of the community more actively. The study supports the need for sustained training and awareness efforts at the barangay level.

Federalism in Nigeria: Between Constitutional Design and Political Reality

Tope Oke Bakare — 2026-02-15

Federalism in Nigeria, though constitutionally enshrined, has been persistently undermined by structural, political, and socio-economic challenges. Nigeria is a complex country with intriguing multiethnic, multi-religious, and multi-linguistic interests. The heterogeneous nature of Nigeria’s composition makes federalism an appropriate system of government, hence its adoption in 1954. Federalism allows for power sharing between various levels of government, for instance, between the federal or central government and several constituent units (as may exist). Despite the advantages of federalism, its operation has become contentious over the years, casting doubts on its applicability in the Nigerian political context. Rather than advancing national cohesion, federalism in Nigeria has been hindered by challenges such as the over-centralisation of political power, poor leadership, corruption, and bad governance, recurring ethno-religious conflicts, resource control and fiscal operations, revenue allocation, and secession, among others. It is in light of this that this paper - adopting a descriptive approach and relying secondary data - seeks to assess the issues associated with federalism in Nigeria, with its attendant effect. Anchoring the paper on the theory of Classical Model Federalism as postulated by Wheare, it is concluded that the principles of coordination, independence, and autonomy dictated by Wheare’s theory are not adhered to in Nigeria. As a result, it is recommended that the government make sincere efforts to ensure an equitable and even distribution of resources among the federating units in Nigeria, rather than paying lip service to restructuring. The government should declare it a national emergency.

A Study on: Implementation of Legal Philosophy Values Information Regional Regulations in Indonesia

Gokma Toni Parlindungan S — 2026-02-15

The purpose of this study is to analyze the application of legal philosophy values in the formation of regional regulations in Indonesia, as well as to examine the suitability between legal philosophy values and regional regulations that have been formed. This study uses a descriptive analytical research type with a normative legal approach method. Research data were obtained from primary, secondary and primary legal materials. Data collection techniques were carried out qualitatively. The results of the study indicate that the application of legal philosophy values in the formation of regional regulations in Indonesia is still not optimal. This is due to several factors, such as a lack of understanding of the values of legal philosophy among regional regulation makers, minimal community participation in the process of forming regional regulations, and weak law enforcement. This study has limitations in its focus on the application of legal philosophy values and a lack of analysis of the impact of regional regulations that do not follow these values.

Impediments To Establishing Somalia’s Judicial Service Commission

Bashir Yusuf Adan — 2026-02-17

Judicial councils are institutional mechanisms designed to insulate the appointment, promotion, and discipline of judges from partisan political influence while ensuring accountability within the judiciary. Positioned between two extremes self-perpetuating judicial control and complete political dominance these bodies are central to safeguarding judicial independence and enhancing the rule of law. The establishment of a Judicial Service Commission (JSC) is thus a critical reform in strengthening the administration of justice in any state.

In Somalia, the Higher Judicial Council traces its origins to 1956 under the Italian Trusteeship administration. Its current constitutional mandate, however, is enshrined in the Provisional Constitution adopted in 2012. Despite this formal recognition, operationalization has been hindered by legal, institutional, and political impediments. This study examines the historical evolution of judicial governance in Somalia, identifies the principal barriers to establishing a functional JSC, and evaluates comparative models from other jurisdictions. Drawing on a qualitative methodology, including semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, the research provides an evidence-based analysis of both the challenges and the reform opportunities. The paper concludes by proposing a contextually appropriate commission structure aligned with Somalia’s constitutional vision and its broader objectives for judicial reform and democratic governance.