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51 legal articles
Mandatory mediation is a legal prerequisite for nearly all commercial litigation involving monetary claims in Turkey. Foreign companies can initiate debt collection proceedings (İcra Takibi) without a court judgment to...
For residential lease renewals after July 1, 2024, the 25% rent increase cap has expired; increases are now limited by the 12-month average of the Consumer Price Index (TÜFE). Landlords...
First-to-File Supremacy: Turkey operates on a first-to-file system, meaning the first entity to apply for a trademark or patent generally secures the rights, regardless of prior use by others. Mandatory...
Customs Harmonization: Turkey is aligning its 2026 tariff schedules closer to the EU Combined Nomenclature, requiring international traders to audit and update their Harmonized System (HS) classifications. Documentation is Critical:...
Liaison offices in Turkey are strictly prohibited from engaging in any commercial or revenue-generating activities. The Ministry of Industry and Technology grants initial operating permits for a maximum duration of...
Act fast on breaches: If a developer misses construction deadlines or delays the title deed (TAPU) transfer, you must formally place them in default via a Notary Public before initiating...
The Istanbul Arbitration Centre (ISTAC) provides a specialized, neutral, and efficient alternative to the heavily backlogged Turkish local courts. Commercial arbitration in Turkey generally concludes within 6 to 12 months,...
Cross-Border Debt Recovery and Corporate Restructuring in Turkey Foreign bankruptcy decrees require formal recognition by a Turkish court before they are enforceable against local assets. Securing interim injunctions is the...
The minimum investment for Turkish citizenship is USD 400,000. Buyers must place a three-year non-sale annotation on the title deed. Preliminary sales contracts are only legally binding if signed before...
Prioritize arbitration: Opting for arbitration (e.g., ISTAC) bypasses Turkey's mandatory commercial mediation process and resolves supply chain disputes faster than local courts. Notarize default notices: Under Turkish law, default notices...
Mandatory Mediation: Turkish law requires commercial disputes seeking monetary compensation to undergo pre-litigation mediation before a lawsuit can be filed in local courts. Cost Structures: Turkish commercial courts charge a...
Establishing Jurisdiction: Expats living in Turkey can file for divorce under the International Private and Civil Procedure Law if they meet residency requirements. Cost and Timeline: Mediation resolves disputes in...
Strict Valuation Limits (2026): To secure a real estate-based residence permit, the property value recorded on the title deed must be at least $200,000 across all provinces. For citizenship by...
Investing in Turkey as a foreign private equity sponsor means navigating a corporate law framework that prioritizes statutory rules over private contractual freedom. Standard international deal conventions (such as drag-along...
Act before absolute insolvency: Turkish law favors companies that file for restructuring while they are still functional but face imminent cash-flow risks. Statutory shield is local: A concordat ( konkordato...
No Specific Franchise Law: Turkey does not have a dedicated franchise statute. Agreements are governed by the Turkish Code of Obligations and the Turkish Commercial Code, making precise contract drafting...
Economic shifts and currency fluctuations frequently put severe pressure on foreign joint ventures (JVs) operating in Turkey. When local corporate debt becomes unsustainable, international stakeholders must act quickly. Restructuring Turkish...
No Automatic Recognition: Foreign court judgments have no power in Turkey until you win a formal enforcement lawsuit ( Tenfiz ) under Turkish private international law. Mediation is Mandatory: You...
Low Thresholds for Tech: Transactions involving target companies active in digital platforms, software, biotechnology, or financial technologies in Turkey almost always trigger a mandatory filing due to the elimination of...
A Shareholders' Agreement (SHA) creates contractual obligations between partners under Turkish contract law, but only the Articles of Association (AoA) bind the company and third parties directly. Deadlock mechanisms with...