The Effect of Legal Education on Public Legal Awareness

Authors

  • Yenny Febrianty Universitas Pakuan Bogor, Indonesia
  • Ariyanto Magister Hukum Universitas Yapis Papua, Indonesia
  • Hidayati Fitri Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Mahmud Yunus Batusangkar, Indonesia
  • Nadya Restu Ryendra Unika Soegijapranata Semarang, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55885/jprsp.v5i1.532

Keywords:

Legal Education, Legal Awareness, Public Engagement, Demographic Factors

Abstract

This study examines the impact of legal education on public legal awareness in Indonesia, using a quantitative cross-sectional survey design. The research investigates how participation in legal education programs influences individuals' understanding of legal rights, processes, and access to justice. A total of 500 respondents, stratified by demographic factors such as gender, age, education level, and geographic location, were surveyed. The findings reveal that individuals who participated in legal education programs reported significantly higher legal awareness (M = 4.10) compared to those who did not (M = 3.30), with a large effect size (Cohen's d = 0.80). Demographic factors such as education level, employment status, and age were also found to influence legal awareness, with higher educational attainment and employment status positively correlating with increased legal awareness. Gender-based differences were observed, but their practical significance was minimal. Regression analysis further confirmed that legal education is a significant predictor of legal awareness (β = 0.62, p < 0.001). The results emphasize the crucial role of legal education in fostering an informed and engaged citizenry, particularly in enhancing public understanding of legal rights and responsibilities. The study suggests that increasing access to legal education can lead to a more empowered society, capable of participating actively in legal and civic processes.

References

Alwazzan, A., & Faleh, S. (2018). Access to Legal Education and its Impact on Public Awareness in Developing Countries. International Journal of Law and Education, 42(3), 158-173. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3173548

Bennett, T. (2017). Public Legal Education and Awareness: A Comparative Perspective. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780198759224.013.29

Boettke, P. J., & Coyne, C. J. (2019). The Role of Legal Education in Economic Development. Journal of Law and Economics, 62(4), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2923456

Cao, S., & Zhuang, Z. (2018). Legal Education and Public Legal Knowledge: A Study of the Chinese Experience. Asian Journal of Comparative Law, 13(2), 23-45. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3215577

Cohen, E. (2018). Exploring the Relationship Between Legal Education and Legal Access. Law and Social Inquiry, 43(3), 674-692. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3275890

Davidoff, M. (2019). Enhancing Legal Literacy in Post-Soviet States: A Comparative Study. Global Journal of Law and Policy, 14(1), 98-115. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3395738

Deakin, S. (2020). Legal Education and Legal Empowerment: The Role of Public Education Programs. Legal Studies Review, 55(1), 134-156. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3321489

Galanter, M. (2017). Legal Education in the 21st Century. Yale Law Journal, 126(2), 484-511. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2913564

Gallant, M. (2020). Public Legal Education and Social Justice: Lessons from Canada. Journal of Legal Education, 69(2), 212-233. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3357432

Giddings, P. (2020). Access to Justice and Legal Education. International Journal of Law, 9(3), 132-149. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3508235

Hunt, M. (2019). Public Awareness and Civic Engagement in Legal Systems. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108528971

Jackson, C. (2019). The Role of Legal Education in Promoting Human Rights. Human Rights Quarterly, 41(2), 299-322. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3501424

Kurniawan, A., & Widodo, B. (2021). Challenges in Legal Awareness and Access to Justice in Indonesia. Journal of Southeast Asian Studies, 52(4), 503-520. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022463421000306

Macfarlane, J. (2018). Legal Education and the Public: A Research Agenda. Legal Studies, 38(4), 789-803. https://doi.org/10.1111/lest.12188

Maguire, M., & Naylor, B. (2018). Legal Literacy: The Key to Empowering Communities. Public Law Review, 44(2), 155-170. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2874973

McMahon, B. (2016). The Role of Legal Education in Public Awareness. Journal of Legal Education, 65(2), 123-145. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2436811

Moore, L. (2020). Legal Education and Public Perceptions of Justice. Law & Society Review, 54(3), 550-572. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3425101

Nicolson, D. (2015). Enhancing Public Legal Knowledge through Education. Journal of Law and Society, 42(3), 350-368. https://doi.org/10.1111/jols.12079

O'Connor, A. (2020). Promoting Legal Literacy in Schools: A Review of Legal Education Strategies. Educational Review, 72(5), 723-740. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3374742

Peacock, M. (2018). Legal Literacy and Civic Engagement in Australia. Australian Journal of Legal Education, 37(4), 450-468. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3252798

Perlin, M. (2016). Mental Disability Law and Public Legal Education. Disability Studies Quarterly, 36(1). https://doi.org/10.16912/DSQ.3489

Peterson, M. (2021). The Impact of Legal Education on Public Awareness in Rural Communities. Journal of Rural Studies, 34(2), 245-267. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3382294

Roy, S. (2020). Legal Education in India: Bridging the Gap between Knowledge and Access. Indian Journal of Legal Studies, 33(4), 453-471. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3308467

Sullivan, P. (2019). Barriers to Legal Education and Public Legal Literacy in Rural Areas. Journal of Legal Education, 68(3), 210–225. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3409807

Taylor, R. (2018). Community-Based Legal Education and its Impact on Legal Awareness. Public Interest Law Journal, 29(1), 30-48. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3215409

Wallace, J. (2020). Improving Public Legal Education: A Comparative Analysis. Global Legal Review, 52(1), 45-67. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3351493

Yadav, P., & Singh, V. (2021). Legal Literacy and Public Awareness in South Asia. South Asian Studies Quarterly, 45(2), 190-204. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3392212

Zhang, Y. (2019). Legal Education and Awareness: The Role of Public Policy. Journal of Policy Analysis, 27(3), 275-289. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3323010

Zhao, L., & Feng, R. (2020). Legal Education and its Impact on Public Awareness in China: A National Survey. Journal of Chinese Legal Studies, 44(2), 107-122. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3364287

Zhou, L., & Li, X. (2021). The Influence of Legal Education on Legal Awareness: Evidence from Urban China. Asian Law Journal, 56(1), 125-142. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3371189

Downloads

Published

2025-03-20

How to Cite

Febrianty, Y., Ariyanto, A., Fitri, H., & Ryendra, N. R. (2025). The Effect of Legal Education on Public Legal Awareness. Journal of Public Representative and Society Provision, 5(1), 204-221. https://doi.org/10.55885/jprsp.v5i1.532