Application of the Principle of Lex Specialis Derogat Legi Generali in Cases of Medical Malpractice in Law Number 17 Of 2023 Concerning Health
Keywords:
Medical Malpractice, Law Number 17 of 2023, Lex specialis derogat legi generali.Abstract
Medical malpractice is a legal issue in the health sector that often sparks debate regarding the accountability mechanisms for healthcare workers. In practice, the resolution of malpractice cases is often directly linked to general criminal provisions in the Criminal Code (KUHP), even though the health sector already has specific regulations through Law Number 17 of 2023 concerning Health. This raises issues regarding the application of the lex specialis derogat legi generali principle in law enforcement against medical personnel. This study aims to analyze the application of the lex specialis derogat legi generali principle in medical malpractice cases based on Law Number 17 of 2023 concerning Health and its implications for legal protection for medical personnel and patients. The study uses a normative legal research method with a statute approach and a conceptual approach . The results of the study indicate that the application of the principle of lex specialis derogat legi generali places the mechanism for enforcing professional discipline as the initial stage in handling alleged medical malpractice through the Professional Disciplinary Council as regulated in Article 304 of Law Number 17 of 2023 concerning Health, the implementation of which is further regulated in Government Regulation Number 28 of 2024 and Regulation of the Minister of Health Number 3 of 2025. This mechanism is used to assess alleged violations based on professional standards, service standards, standard operating procedures, and professional ethics before applying administrative, civil, or criminal liability based on Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code. The application of this principle provides legal certainty for medical personnel through a professional assessment mechanism, while still guaranteeing legal protection for patients through the fulfillment of their rights, enforcement of professional discipline, and the right to demand accountability if a violation is proven.
References
Awangga, A. (2023). Legal Protection for Inpatients Based on Law Number 44 of 2009 concerning Hospitals. Collegium Studiosum Journal, 6 (1).
Awangga, A. (2025). Settlement of Medical Disputes After Law No. 17 of 2023 Concerning Health. JILPR: Journal of Indonesian Law & Policy Review, 6 (2).
Azizah, SN, & Awangga, A. (2025). Legal Research Methodology. Bandung: CV Cendikia Press.
Djatmiko, AA, Sanjaya, R., & Hidayati, RK (2023). The Legal Impact of Anomalies in the Application of the Principle of Lex Specialis Derogat Legi Generali in Indonesian Criminal Law Provisions. Journal of Legal Science Researchers, 3 (1).
Fahrul, M. (2025). The Relationship Between Negligence and Medical Risk from a Legal Liability Perspective. Malang: Muhammadiyah University of Malang.
Gunawan, AC, Grace, GC, & Prisilia, E. (2026). Analysis of Unlawful Acts in Malpractice Cases: A Review of the Doctrine of Informed Consent and Medical Complications (Study of Decision Number 120/Pdt.G/2019/PN Cikarang). Journal of Law, Humanities and Politics (JIHHP), 6 (2).
Hadjon, PM, & Djatmiati, T. (2014). Legal Argumentation. Yogyakarta: UGM Press.
Ibrahim, J. (2006). Theory and Methodology of Normative Legal Research. Malang: Bayumedia Publishing.
Kurniawati, S., Fahmi, & Daeng, MY (2023). Medical Dispute Resolution Based on Indonesian Law. INNOVATIVE: Journal of Social Science Research, 3 (2).
Manan, B. (2004). Indonesian Positive Law: A Theoretical Study. Yogyakarta: UII Press.
Marzuki, PM (2021). Legal Research. Jakarta: Kencana.
Muliawati, A. (2025, July 02). Minister of Health Reveals 24 Cases of Patients Dying Due to Alleged Malpractice . Retrieved July 16, 2026, from News Detik: https://news.detik.com/berita/d-7992655/menkes-ungkap-ada-24-kasus-pasien-meninggal-karena-dugaan-malpraktik
Natalia, C., Miarsa, FR, & Felixs, D. (2026). Restorative Justice as an Alternative for Resolving Medical Disputes. Al-Zayn: Journal of Social Sciences & Law, 4 (2).
Poernomo, B. (2013). Health Law. Yogyakarta: Aditya Media.
Rifki. (2025). The Strategic Role of Health Law in Improving the Quality of Health Services and Protecting Patient Rights in Indonesia. Scientific Health Journal of Meditory, 8 (3).
Sadana. (2026, July 24). Pangkalpinang District Court Releases Dr. Ratna, Judge Considers Contributory Negligence . Retrieved August 1, 2026, from Dandalapa: https://dandapala.com/article/detail/pn-pangkalpinang-bebaskan-dr-ratna-hakim-pertimbangkan-contributory-negligence
Soekanto, S., & Mamudji, S. (2019). Normative Legal Research: A Brief Review. Jakarta: Rajawali Pers.
Soge, AD (2023). Analysis of Handling of Medical and Health Professional Errors in Law Number 17 of 2023 Concerning Health from a Health Law Perspective. Caraka Justitia Law Journal, 3 (2).
Sudarmanto, AM, Nurmardiansyah, E., Nugroho, HP, & Siregar, RA (2025). The Relationship between Enforcement of Professional Discipline and Law Based on Law Number 17 of 2023 concerning Health. Journal of State Law, 16 (1).
Sunggono, B. (2015). Legal Research Methodology. Jakarta: Rajawali Pers.
Wahyuni, W. (2022, September 12). Understanding the Principle of Lex Specialis Derogat Legi Generali . Retrieved July 17, 2026, from Hukum Online: https://www.hukumonline.com/berita/a/mengenal-asas-lex-specialis-derogat-legi-generali-lt631f21adec18c/
