Students’ Legal Awareness of Breach-of-Contract Risks in Informal Loans of Goods

Abstract

Informal lending of personal goods among university students relies on trust but can create disputes over damage, late return, and unfulfilled obligations. This study examines students’ self-reported legal awareness of potential breach-of-contract risks in these arrangements. A descriptive quantitative survey using Google Forms reports responses from 16 students. Frequencies and percentages are interpreted alongside Indonesian contract law and legal-consciousness scholarship. Nine respondents (56.3%) reported relying on verbal agreements, while three (18.8%) reported no specific agreement. Fourteen (87.5%) reported encountering at least one borrowing-related problem. Eight respondents (50.0%) said they knew that such disputes might involve breach of contract; the remainder expressed uncertainty or a lack of knowledge. Fourteen (87.5%) preferred deliberation or amicable settlement. The findings indicate variation between informal borrowing practices, self-reported legal knowledge, and expectations of responsibility. The small sample, unverified recruitment details, and unavailable response-scale anchors preclude population-level and causal inferences. Contextual legal-literacy initiatives addressing agreements, evidence, care of borrowed property, and dispute resolution may be useful.