Sanctions Law · Turkey
Find a sanctions lawyer in Turkey for cross-border restrictions
Sanctions rules affect banking, trade, shipping and personal assets, and they rarely stop at one border. A lawyer admitted in Turkey can help you understand how a measure applies to your circumstances and what steps to consider. We match you with a specialist at no cost.
- Bar-registered Turkish lawyers
- Proceedings and filings in Turkish
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Sanctions law in Turkey
A local perspective on a cross-border problem
Sanctions matters rarely sit in a single jurisdiction. A payment routed through Istanbul, a shipment held at a port, or a company whose shareholder appears on a restriction list can raise questions under several legal orders at once. Turkish practice adds its own layer: the courts work in Turkish, filings must be translated and legalisation rules apply to foreign documents. Lawyers who appear before Turkish courts must be admitted to a Bar Association, and the Union of Turkish Bar Associations oversees the profession. If you are looking for a sanctions lawyer in Turkey, we can match you with a practitioner who handles compliance reviews, asset-freeze queries and related commercial or administrative proceedings. Our matching service is free and confidential.
Turkey in practice
How sanctions-related work meets the Turkish legal system
Sanctions questions in Turkey are handled within a codified civil-law system, in Turkish, and often alongside commercial, administrative or criminal proceedings. The points below outline the framework that shapes how a sanctions lawyer in Turkey works.
Turkish is the language of every court
Court proceedings, filings and judgments are in Turkish under the 1982 Constitution. Foreign-language documents must be accompanied by a certified translation, and foreign public documents generally need an apostille because Turkey is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention. A party who does not speak Turkish requires an interpreter appointed by the court. This shapes how quickly a sanctions-related file can be prepared.
Who may act for you
Practising law in Turkey requires membership of a local Bar Association; the Union of Turkish Bar Associations is the public-law body to which all Bars belong. Under the Attorneyship Law (Law No. 1136), admission requires Turkish citizenship, a Turkish law degree or recognised equivalent, a two-stage internship, good standing and no disqualifying conviction. A licence (ruhname) is issued and the lawyer is entered in the Bar register.
Representation in court
Representation by a lawyer is not generally mandatory in Turkish civil, commercial or administrative proceedings: parties may litigate in person at first instance. In criminal proceedings, however, defence counsel must be appointed for offences carrying at least five years’ imprisonment, and for suspects or defendants who are juveniles, disabled or unable to defend themselves. Legal aid (adli yardım) is available. In sanctions-related matters involving criminal exposure, this rule is central.
Mandatory mediation in commercial disputes
Since 1 January 2019, commercial disputes concerning monetary claims and compensation require mediation before litigation under Article 5A of the Commercial Code (Law No. 6102). A claim filed without attempting mediation is dismissed on procedural grounds. Individual labour disputes have required mediation since 1 January 2018. If a sanctions question sits alongside a debt or contract claim, mediation may be a necessary first step rather than an optional one.
Court fees and legal costs
Under the Fees Law (Law No. 492), civil, commercial and administrative actions attract a proportional judgment-and-decision fee of 68.31 per thousand (6.831%) of the amount in dispute, plus a fixed application fee. One quarter of the proportional fee is paid on filing, with the balance on judgment. Lawyers’ fees are freely agreed but cannot fall below the minimum tariff published by the Union of Turkish Bar Associations.
Limitation periods run alongside sanctions work
Sanctions questions often sit next to ordinary civil claims. Under the Code of Obligations (Law No. 6098), general contractual claims are time-barred after ten years, while tort claims expire two years from knowledge and in any event after ten years. Recurring receivables and wage claims carry a five-year period. An appeal against a first-instance judgment must be lodged within two weeks of notification. Missing these periods can end the claim.
Key time limit — Administrative & Regulatory Law
Administrative action for annulment (iptal davası) — 60 days from notification. Relevant if you challenge an administrative measure.
Country data comes from official Turkish legislation and the Union of Turkish Bar Associations, consulted in 2025.
- Constitution of 1982 (court structure and language)
- Attorneyship Law No. 1136
- Turkish Code of Obligations No. 6098
- Labour Law No. 4857
- Turkish Civil Code No. 4721
- Code of Civil Procedure No. 6100
- Administrative Procedure Law No. 2577
- Fees Law No. 492
- Commercial Code No. 6102
- Union of Turkish Bar Associations
Common situations
When a sanctions question lands on your desk
These are the scenarios clients most often bring to us when a restriction affects a Turkish connection.
Payments held without explanation
A bank freezes an incoming transfer and asks for information you do not have. The clock starts, counterparties grow impatient, and every day without a clear response raises commercial risk.
Names that match a list
A shareholder, director or beneficiary appears on a restriction list and suddenly ordinary transactions become difficult. You need to know what is actually prohibited and what can still proceed.
Cross-border files, one language
Documents arrive in several languages, Turkish courts require certified translations, and foreign evidence needs legalisation. Coordinating counsel in more than one country quickly becomes the real task.
How we help
A focused match, not a directory
We narrow the field so you can speak to a lawyer whose practice fits the problem you actually have.
Bar-registered practitioners
Every lawyer we match is admitted to a Turkish Bar Association. We check registration so you can focus on the legal question rather than on credentials.
Sanctions-focused experience
We look for lawyers who regularly handle compliance reviews, asset-freeze queries and the commercial or administrative proceedings that follow.
One point of contact
You explain the situation once. We use your description to identify a suitable firm and avoid repeating the same background to several offices.
Free and confidential
Matching costs you nothing. Your details are shared only with the firm we propose, and you decide whether to instruct them.
Cross-border reach
Sanctions files often involve these countries
If your matter touches another jurisdiction, a Turkish lawyer can coordinate with counsel abroad. These are the countries most frequently connected to files we see.
Questions
What clients ask before instructing
What does a sanctions lawyer in Turkey do?
A sanctions lawyer in Turkey reviews how international and national restrictions apply to a person, company or transaction connected with Turkey. The work can include compliance checks, responding to bank queries, asset-freeze issues, licence applications where available, and related commercial or administrative proceedings before Turkish courts.
Do I need a lawyer who is admitted in Turkey?
If your matter involves Turkish courts, Turkish companies or assets in Turkey, yes. Practising law in Turkey requires membership of a local Bar Association, and only admitted lawyers may represent parties in court. For purely foreign proceedings, a Turkish lawyer can still coordinate with counsel elsewhere.
Will proceedings in Turkey be conducted in Turkish?
Yes. The Constitution makes Turkish the language of the State, and court filings and hearings are in Turkish. Foreign-language documents need certified translations, and foreign public documents generally require an apostille. If you do not speak Turkish, the court appoints an interpreter.
Is mediation compulsory before commercial litigation in Turkey?
For commercial disputes concerning monetary claims and compensation, mediation has been a mandatory precondition since 1 January 2019 under Article 5A of the Commercial Code. A claim filed without attempting mediation is dismissed on procedural grounds. Individual labour disputes have required mediation since 1 January 2018.
How are court fees calculated in Turkey?
Under the Fees Law (Law No. 492), civil, commercial and administrative actions attract a proportional judgment-and-decision fee of 68.31 per thousand (6.831%) of the amount in dispute, plus a fixed application fee. One quarter of the proportional fee is paid when filing, and the balance on judgment.
How long do I have to bring a related commercial claim?
General contractual claims are time-barred after ten years under the Code of Obligations. Tort claims expire two years from knowledge and in any event after ten years. Recurring receivables and wage claims carry a five-year period. An appeal must be lodged within two weeks of notification.
Next step
Tell us what happened and we will find the right fit
Describe your situation in a few lines. We will identify a sanctions lawyer in Turkey whose practice matches your matter, usually within 24 to 48 hours. There is no charge for matching and no obligation to instruct.