Pacta Sunt Servanda Principles: Implementation in Agreements Managing Unanticipated Circumstances

Authors

  • Dahris Siregar Tjut Nyak Dhien University
  • Karolina Sitepu Tjut Nyak Dhien University
  • Khairun Na’im Tjut Nyak Dhien University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.60153/ijolares.v4i1.262

Keywords:

The Parties, Agreements, Justice, Good Faith

Abstract

Conventional law is built on the idea of pacta sunt servanda, which means that both sides must follow through on their deal. The study analyzes the application and limits of the pacta sunt servanda principle in cases of unforeseen circumstances, particularly economic hardship, and the legal protection available to the parties. This study uses a normative legal approach by examining contract law provisions, the doctrine of hardship, and selected Indonesian Supreme Court decisions over the past decade. Although the pacta sunt servanda concept is formally binding, it can be overturned in very rare cases of foresight, the ideals of good faith and suitability, as well as Article 1338 paragraph 3 of the Civil Code.Although Article 1338(1) of the Civil Code affirms that agreements are binding, the pacta sunt servanda principle is not absolute and must be balanced with fairness and good faith. Indonesian judges have a tendency to recognize although the theory of  unforeseen circumstances is meant to stop extreme unfairness, the most important rule for keeping commercial ties steady and clear is still "pacta sunt servanda. It is suggested that parties to an agreement plan for the chance of things changing by including suffering, force majeure, or rewriting methods in their contracts. This will make the answer simple and easier to measure when something unexpected happens. This study recommends that every agreement include clear hardship or force majeure clauses. It also suggests that Indonesian law should regulate unforeseen circumstances more clearly to ensure legal certainty for both parties.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Adiyanto, T. (2025). Dealing with Unexpected Circumstances: Judicial Modification of Contract under Indonesian and Dutch Law Contract under Indonesian and Dutch Law. Hasanuddin Law ReviewHasanuddin Law Review, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.20956/halrev.v5i1.1508

Agus, & Yuanitasari, D. (2023). Perkembangan Penyalahgunaan Keadaan Sebagai Dasar Pembatalan Perjanjian Dalam Sistem Hukum Perjanjian Di Indonesia. Justices: Journal of Law, 2(1), 1–13. file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/1+Agus+Galley.pdf

Aisyah, S., Dianita, A. C., Fakultas, H., & Universitas, H. (2025). Application of Pacta Sunt Servanda Principle in District Court Decision. Leges Privatae, 1(5), 1–11. file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/1188+Leges+Application+of+Pacta+Sunt+Servanda+Principle+in+District+Court+Decision.pdf

Akyuwen, R. J., Panjaitan, W. N., & Nabila, S. H. (2023). The Principle of Good Faith In Transactional Agreements In The Community of West Seram Regency. Batulis Civil Law Review, 4(79), 119–128. file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/1842-5027-1-PB.pdf

Ali, M. (2023). Freedom of Contract : The Indonesian Court ’ s Decisions on Internasional Bussiness Disputes. Indonesian Journal of Law and Society, 4(1), 94–126. https://doi.org/10.19184/ijls.v4i1.38486

Alelxander, A. (2023). Peran Masyarakat Dalam Penegakan Hukum di Indonesia. IJOLARES: Indonesian Journal of Law Research, 1(1), 11-15.

Ardhie, E. F. (2024). Pacta Sunt Servanda as Legal Certainty in a Fixed-Term Employment Agreement. Proceedings of the International Conference on Cultural Policy and Sustainable Development, 36. https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-315-3

Bianty, T., & Gunadi, A. (2025). Legal Force Of Binding Sale Purchase Agreement Under Hand Reviewed From The Principle Of Pacta Sunt Servanda. De Lega Lata: Jurnal Ilmu Hukum, 10(2), 151–156. https://doi.org/10.30596/dll.v10i2.24375

Dewi, A. S., History, A., & Sunt, P. (2025). Application The Principle of Pacta Sunt Servanda In Consumer Protection Indonesia. Journal of Mandalika Literature, 6(2), 563–570. file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/4581-Article Text-17263-1-10-20250304.pdf

Dimitria Pawestri Kusumadewi , Iwan Erar Joesoef, D. S. W. (2025). Legal Principles of Agreements in Fixed-Term Employment Agreements ( Study of PT Abc ’ s Partnership Pattern Employment Agreements After Management Decision ). JLPH Journal of Law, Politic and Humanities, 5(4), 2894–2901. file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/Reedit+Dimitria+Pawestri+PDF.pdf

Dinda, D. (2025). Legal Adaptation to Smart Contract Agreements in Indonesia: Navigating Digital Disruption in Business Contracts. Ilomata International Journal of Social Science, 6(4), 1376–1396. file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/1847-Article Text-11328-2-10-20251024.pdf

Divanadia, D., Rosadi, S. D., & Trisnamansyah, P. (2024). Analyzing The Practice of Material Adverse Change: A Post Pandemic Merger and Acquisitions Contract Non-Performance Clause From The Perspective of Unidroit Principles of International Commercial Contract. Transnational Business Law Journal, 5(2). file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/1882-Article Text-9984-2-10-20250213.pdf

Dongoran, H. M., & Aminah, A. (2024). Obligations Arising from Contracts and Laws and Their Relationship with Authentic Deeds. Al-Ishlah: Jurnal Ilmiah Hukum, 27(1), 31–43. file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/kamaruddin,+Aijih-v27n1-3.pdf

Dyah Ayu Sulistyarini, E. A. P. (2024). Aktualisasi Pacta Sunt Servanda Dalam Pembuatan E-Contract Guna Menjamin Aktivitas Bisnis Di Dunia Maya. Semarang Law Review (SLR), 5(1), 128–142. file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/yogie,+11_+artikel+dyah_dr.+ery_fix.pdf

Eunico, B. (2025). The Validity of Settlement Agreements That Override Final and Binding Court Decisions According to Article 1320 of the Civil Code. Judge : Jurnal Hukum, 06(04), 956–968. file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/1682-Article Text-7077-1-10-20251113.pdf

Hafiz, M. Al. (2024). Compensation in the Termination of Agreement Due to Breach of Contract. International Journal of Multi Discipline Science, 7(1), 36–42. file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/4600-20617-1-PB-1.pdf

Human, R., Protection, R., & Limitations, I. (2025). Reassessing Human Rights Protection and R2P in Southeast Asia: A Contextual Analysis of ASEAN’s Non-Intervention Doctrine and Institutional Limitations. Sinergi International Journal of Law, 3(1), 17–37. file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/_723-Article Text-3874-5072-10-20250424.pdf

Jibril, M., Mada, U. G., Jordi, M. J., & Mada, U. G. (2023). Jurisprudence as a Source of Law in Indonesia : Lessons from the Common Law. Jurnal Jurisprudence, 13(1), 130–146. https://doi.org/10.23917/jurisprudence.v13i1.1967

Juniarty, S., Aji, P., Setiawan, H., & Iryani, D. (2025). Legal Certainty Regarding The Cancellation Arbitration Awards In District Courts. Jurnal Ilmu Hukum Prima, 8(2), 52–68. file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/SANTY(2).id.en(2).pdf

Kandia, I. W., & Wiryawan, I. W. (2025). LAW AS AN INSTRUMENT OF SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION: A THEORETICAL AND EMPIRICAL STUDY OF THE ROLE OF LAW IN DRIVING CONTEMPORARY SOCIETAL CHANGE. International Journal of Education and Social Science Studies, 1(2), 103-111.

Kesuma, A. P., & Mahfud, M. A. (2023). The Implementation of Pacta Sunt Servanda Principle as A Basis For Making Memorandum of Understanding. Awang Long Law Review, 5(2), 432–440. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/2689/ceebcf6be3cfa067175b2e914ab3afe1caba.pdf

Kurniawan, R., & Noer, Z. (2024). A Contract Reviewed From the Perspective of Civil Law in Indonesia May Be Delayed Due To Force Majeure. Iblam Law Review, 4(1), 135–148. https://doi.org/10.52249/ilr.v4i1.223

Law, C. P., Sibagariang, R., Yanto, O., & Ruhaeni, N. (2025). Status of Nullity by Law the Agreement Due to Standard Clauses in the. Sinergi International Journal of Law, 3(4), 207–222. file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/_803-Galleys Proof Manuscript-5157-6654-10-20250910.pdf

Lestari, L. D., Kandia, I. W., Santika, I. G. N., Bara, Y. P., & Syukur, F. M. (2025). Coexisting in harmony: The role of Tri Hita Karana philosophy in the social structure of Balinese society. International Journal of Education and Social Science Studies, 1(3), 147-152.

Manurung, D. F., & Siregar, M. (2025). Legal Framework For Termination Of Contract Due To Force Majority To Further Ensure Legal Certainty. Mahadi : Indonesia Journal of Law, 04(02), 128–135. file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/mahadi,+03+Doni++Fix+129-135.pdf

Meryadinata, G. L., Ismi, S., & Najib, S. (2025). Choice of Law in International Contracts Based on the Hague Indonesian Positive Law Perspective. Justisi, 11(May), 640–656. file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/18.+Geofani+640-656.pdf

Muhammad, A. (2022). The Four Main Principles That Become the Pillars of Legal Building National Treaty. De Lega Lata: Jurnal Ilmu Hukum, 7(2), 272–279. file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/10288-26924-2-PB.pdf

Nugraha, L. (2024). Dynamics of Arbitration Choice as an Alternative Dispute Resolution for Business Disputes. Syntax Transformation, 5(12), 1325–1334. file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/1028-Article Text-8309-1-10-20241219.pdf

Panjaitan, W. N., Balik, A., & Nabila, S. H. (2024). The Legal Dynamics of Pacta Sunt Servanda in Community Agreements. Krtha Bhayangkara, 18(3), 786–797. file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/The+Legal+Dynamics+of+Pacta+Sunt+Servanda+in+Community+Agreements.pdf

Perjanjian, S. H. (2025). Eksistensi dan Implementasi Asas Pacta Sunt Servanda dalam Sistem Hukum Perjanjian. Cendekia: Jurnal Penelitian Dan Pengkajian Ilmiah, 2(12), 2226–2233. file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/ID+2125.pdf

Priyono, E. A. (2025). Standard Agreements : Review of the Principles Pacta Sunt Servanda , Good Faith and Fairness. Lex Scientia Law Review, 9(2), 1376–1407. file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/Standard+Agreements.pdf

Putri, M. K., & Lampung, U. (2023). Implications of The Covid-19 Pandemic on Business Contracts Implementation. Indonesia Private Law Review, 4(1), 9–18. https://doi.org/10.2504/iplr.v4i1.2920

Qadri Qadri, S. Sami’an, A. S. (2024). Requirements for Overhead Cost Claims and Construction Dispute Resolution Mechanisms in Indonesia: A Normative Study. SIGn Jurnal Hukum, 6(2), 433–451. file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/404-Article Text-2570-1-10-20250217.pdf

RI, U. N. 19 T. 2016. (2016). Undang-Undang Republik Indonesia Nomor 19 Tahun 2016 Tentang Perubahan Atas Undang-Undang Nomor 11 Tahun 2008 Tentang Informasi Dan Transaksi Elektronik. UU No. 19 Tahun 2016, 1, 1–31.

Santika, I. G. N. (2020). Menggali dan Menemukan Roh Pancasila Secara Kontekstual.

Santika, I. G. N. (2021). Pendidikan Kewarganegaraan: Studi Komparatif Konstitusi Dengan UUD 1945.

Santika, I. G. N. (2022). Pendidikan Kewarganegaraan: Problematika Hasil Perubahan UUD 1945 Secara Konseptual

Santika, I. G. N. (2023). Kedudukan Pancasila dalam Peraturan Perundang-Undangan di Indonesia. IJOLARES: Indonesian Journal of Law Research, 1(2), 47-51.

Sila, I. M., Santika, I. G. N., Kandi, D. N., & Ngana, C. R. D. (2025). DEMOCRACY AND THE 1945 CONSTITUTION: A POLITICAL PERSPECTIVE ON INDONESIA’S CONSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK. International Journal of Education and Social Science Studies, 1(2), 93-102.

Sujana, I. G., Santika, I. G. N., Karmani, G., & Mesa, J. (2025). Integrasi Prinsip-Prinsip Pancasila dalam Perumusan Kebijakan Hukum Nasional. IJOLARES: Indonesian Journal of Law Research, 3(2), 66-74.

Sujana, I. G., & Kandia, I. W. (2024). Indikator lemahnya penegakan hukum di Indonesia. IJOLARES: Indonesian Journal of Law Research, 2(2), 56-62.

Sunandar, F. N., Setiawan, A. H., & Juaeni, A. (2025). Regulation of Digital Employment Contracts in the Era of Digitalization : Legal and Legal Studies Implications for Worker Protection. International Journal of Law, Crime and Justice, 2(1), 202–216. file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/IJLCJ+VOL+2+no.+1+maret+2025+hal+202-216-1.pdf

Supriadi, A., & Judge, Z. (2023). Legal Consequences Due to Default in Agreements During the Covid-19 Pandemic in the Perspective of Justice. Journal of Legisci, 1(2), 67–81. file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/67-81_Ade+Supriadi_Legal+Consequences+Due+to+Default+in+Agreements+During....pdf

Wambrauw, Y., Tabuni, M., Nawipa, O., & Kogoya, S. (2025). THE DYNAMICS OF JUDICIAL POWER AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RULE OF LAW PRINCIPLES IN INDONESIA. International Journal of Education and Social Science Studies, 1(3), 171-176.

Downloads

Published

2026-03-30

How to Cite

Pacta Sunt Servanda Principles: Implementation in Agreements Managing Unanticipated Circumstances. (2026). IJOLARES: Indonesian Journal of Law Research , 4(1), 18-30. https://doi.org/10.60153/ijolares.v4i1.262