Mediation · Turkey
Find a mediation lawyer in Turkey for your dispute
Mandatory mediation now covers key Turkish labour and commercial disputes, and a failed mediation can lead quickly to court deadlines. We help you compare a mediation lawyer in Turkey who handles your matter and explain the first steps in plain language.
- Mandatory mediation in labour and commercial claims
- Bar-admitted Turkish lawyers only
- Free matching, no obligation
We do not charge you for matching; legal fees are agreed with your lawyer.
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Why mediation matters
Mediation in Turkey: what changes after 2018 and 2019
Mediation has become a central first step in Turkish dispute resolution. Since 1 January 2018, individual labour disputes have required mediation before litigation, and since 1 January 2019 the same applies to commercial disputes concerning monetary claims and compensation. A claim filed without attempting mediation can be dismissed on procedural grounds. That makes the choice of a mediation lawyer in Turkey practical, not theoretical: you need someone who can assess the dispute, prepare the mediation file and explain what happens if settlement fails. Lawyers in Turkey must be admitted to a local Bar Association and hold a licence issued under the Attorneyship Law. We match you with a mediation lawyer in Turkey who handles your type of matter, explain the matching process and help you start with a free, no-obligation request.
Turkey in practice
Mediation, court language and key time limits
Mediation in Turkey sits inside a codified civil-law system and, in some disputes, must be attempted before a court claim. The table below sets out verified Turkish limitation and procedural periods that can shape a mediation timetable. It is not a substitute for checking your own file with a lawyer.
Mandatory mediation before court
Since 1 January 2018, individual labour disputes have required mediation before litigation under the Labour Courts Law (No. 7036, Article 3). Since 1 January 2019, commercial disputes about monetary claims and compensation have been subject to mandatory mediation under Article 5A of the Commercial Code (No. 6102). A claim filed without first attempting mediation is dismissed on procedural grounds.
Bar admission is compulsory
To practise as a lawyer in Turkey, you must be a member of a local Bar Association and hold a licence (ruhname) issued under the Attorneyship Law (No. 1136, Article 3). The requirements include Turkish citizenship, a Turkish law degree or recognised equivalent, a one-year internship in two stages, good standing and full legal capacity.
Court language and translated documents
Turkish is the sole language of the courts under the 1982 Constitution. Filings and court documents are drafted in Turkish, foreign-language documents must be accompanied by a certified translation, and foreign public documents generally require an apostille. Parties who do not speak Turkish need a court-appointed interpreter. A Turkish-speaking mediation lawyer can prepare the file before it reaches court.
Fees and the Bar minimum tariff
Court fees are governed by the Fees Law (No. 492): a proportional judgment-and-decision fee of 68.31 per thousand of the amount in dispute applies to civil, commercial and administrative actions, plus a fixed application fee. Lawyers’ fees are freely agreed, but the Union of Turkish Bar Associations publishes a binding minimum-fee tariff each year. Contingency fees are permitted within limits.
Codified private law and Cassation guidance
Turkish private law is a civil-law system based on the reception of the Swiss Civil Code in the 1920s. The Civil Code (No. 4721) and Code of Obligations (No. 6098) are codified and judge-interpreted, not precedent-bound, although Court of Cassation decisions provide a unifying guide. That matters when settlement terms need to match how Turkish courts read the underlying contract or employment relationship.
Key time limits — Litigation & Dispute Resolution
| Matter | Deadline and context | Note |
|---|---|---|
| General contractual claims (debt recovery) | 10 years | The general limitation period for contractual debt claims under the Turkish Code of Obligations. |
| Tort / unlawful act claims | 2 years from knowledge (maximum 10 years) | The shorter period runs from the date you know of the damage and the liable person. |
| Appeal (istinaf) against a first-instance judgment | 2 weeks from notification | The appeal period runs from notification of the first-instance judgment under the Code of Civil Procedure. |
Data compiled on 9 May 2026 from the official Turkish legislation portal (mevzuat.gov.tr); rates and periods may change, so confirm the current position with a Turkish lawyer.
- Constitution of 1982 (court language; civil-law framework)
- Attorneyship Law No. 1136
- Turkish Commercial Code No. 6102 (mandatory mediation)
- 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
Common concerns
What clients often face before choosing a mediation lawyer in Turkey
These are the practical issues that make early legal guidance useful.
Unsure whether mediation is compulsory
Turkish rules make mediation a precondition in individual labour and commercial monetary claims. Filing without it can lead to procedural dismissal, so the first step matters.
Language and document barriers
Court proceedings and filings are in Turkish. Foreign documents need certified translation, and public documents generally require an apostille. A Turkish-speaking lawyer can coordinate the file.
Deadlines can pass while you negotiate
Employment reinstatement claims have a one-month period from termination, and appeal periods run from notification. A lawyer can map the mediation and court timetable before you commit.
How we help
A calmer route to the right Turkish mediation lawyer
We focus on matching, clarity and a free first step.
Specialist matching
We match you with a mediation lawyer in Turkey who handles your dispute type, so you can discuss the process with relevant experience from the first call.
Clear process
You receive a short explanation of what mediation involves in Turkey, which documents to prepare and what happens if settlement is not reached.
Language-aware support
We help you find a lawyer who can work with you in English and coordinate Turkish filings and certified translations where needed under court language rules.
No matching fee
Our matching service is free. You agree legal fees directly with the lawyer under the applicable Turkish fee rules and the Bar minimum-fee tariff.
Clients outside Turkey
Who we help with Turkish disputes
If you are based in Europe or a neighbouring country, you can still send us a request in English about a Turkish dispute.
Frequently asked questions
Mediation in Turkey: practical answers
Is mediation compulsory before litigation in Turkey?
In individual labour disputes, mediation has been a precondition since 1 January 2018 under the Labour Courts Law (No. 7036, Article 3). For commercial disputes concerning monetary claims and compensation, it has been compulsory since 1 January 2019 under Article 5A of the Commercial Code (No. 6102). A claim filed without mediation can be dismissed on procedural grounds.
What does a mediation lawyer in Turkey do?
A mediation lawyer in Turkey explains the pre-court mediation step, helps prepare the file and advises on settlement terms. Turkish lawyers must be Bar-admitted and licensed under the Attorneyship Law. We match you with a lawyer who handles your type of dispute, so you can discuss the process before deciding how to proceed.
Can I represent myself in Turkish civil or commercial proceedings?
Representation by a lawyer is not generally mandatory in Turkish civil, commercial or administrative first-instance proceedings; parties may appear in person. In practice, professional legal assistance by a Bar member is the norm in commercial disputes and is advisable before the Court of Cassation and the Council of State.
What language is used in Turkish legal proceedings?
Turkish is the sole official language of the courts. Filings and court documents must be in Turkish, foreign-language documents need certified translation, and foreign public documents generally require an apostille. If you do not speak Turkish, the court can appoint an interpreter. A mediation lawyer in Turkey can coordinate translated documents before the process starts.
What deadlines can follow a failed mediation in Turkey?
For an employment dismissal or reinstatement claim, the mediation application period is one month from termination. An appeal (istinaf) against a first-instance judgment must be lodged within two weeks of notification, and an administrative annulment action within 60 days of notification. General contractual claims have a 10-year limitation period, while rent and recurring receivables have five years.
How are lawyers’ fees for mediation set in Turkey?
Lawyers’ fees are freely agreed between you and your lawyer. The Union of Turkish Bar Associations publishes a binding minimum-fee tariff each year, which sets minimum remuneration and the fee the losing party may be ordered to pay. Contingency fees are permitted within limits, and the lawyer’s fee may not exceed a legally capped percentage of the amount recovered.
Next step
Tell us about your Turkish dispute
Send a short summary of your matter and we will match you with a mediation lawyer in Turkey who handles that type of work. The request is free and does not commit you to instructing anyone.