Litigation

Most of the cases handled fall within the main practice areas: inheritance, family, property and lease disputes. This page explains how a civil case generally runs, and what it means to have a case in Turkey while you live somewhere else.

Stages of a civil case

1. Mediation, where it is mandatory (commercial money claims, leases, division of co-owned property, neighbour disputes and others), before the case is filed.

2. Exchange of pleadings. Evidence must be identified at this stage. Evidence raised later may not be accepted.

3. Preliminary examination and investigation. Expert reports, witness hearings, site inspections.

4. Judgment and appeal. Appeal to the regional court of appeal (istinaf) and, above certain value thresholds, to the Court of Cassation (Yargıtay).

If you live abroad

In most cases you can follow your case in Turkey without attending the hearings. A power of attorney is given once. Documents are filed through the national judicial system (UYAP), and a written update in English or Turkish follows each hearing. Your personal attendance is needed only in specific situations, such as an uncontested divorce, or when the court wants to hear you as a party.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a court case take in Turkey?

It varies a great deal with the court and the type of case. A simple case can end within a year at first instance; with appeals, several years is common. Rather than a general figure, an estimate is given for the specific case.

What does a case cost?

In addition to the attorney's fee, court fees, expert fees and service costs are paid in advance. The losing party is generally ordered to pay the other side's costs and a statutory attorney's fee. Expected costs are explained in writing before the case is filed.