Civil Litigation

Civil litigation in Türkiye

When a private law dispute cannot be resolved through negotiation, the Turkish courts provide the formal route for enforcing rights. Civil litigation in Türkiye follows specific procedural rules, deadlines, and evidential standards. Foreign clients often need coordinated legal support to manage the process clearly and effectively.

Yilmaz Attorneys represents foreign individuals and international clients in civil disputes before Turkish courts. We assist from early case assessment through judgment, appeal, and enforcement, subject to the agreed scope.

Civil disputes we handle

• Civil contract disputes: Claims arising from private agreements, service arrangements, sale contracts, and other non-commercial obligations.

• Compensation claims: Material and non-pecuniary damages arising from negligence, property damage, personal injury, or professional liability.

• Real estate disputes: Title deed cancellation, boundary disputes, construction defects, and landlord and tenant conflicts.

• Consumer disputes: Claims involving defective goods, deficient services, distance sales, contractors, and service providers.

• Civil debt recovery: Recovery and enforcement of private debts, judgments, and eligible payment instruments.

• Defence against civil claims: Responses to lawsuits, payment orders, interim applications, and enforcement proceedings.

Shareholder conflicts, trade disputes, unfair competition, and business debt claims are handled through our Commercial Litigation practice.

The civil litigation process

1. Case assessment

We review the facts, available evidence, procedural deadlines, jurisdiction, potential claims and defences, and the practical prospects of recovery.

2. Pre-litigation steps

Where appropriate, we prepare a formal notice or response and consider negotiation or mediation. Some categories of dispute require mandatory mediation before a lawsuit may be filed.

3. Court proceedings

We prepare the claim or defence, manage written submissions, attend hearings, coordinate witness and expert evidence, and respond to procedural developments.

4. Judgment and appeal

After judgment, we advise on regional appellate review and further appeal where available. Appeal work is quoted separately unless expressly included in the engagement.

Enforcement proceedings

A successful judgment may still require enforcement. We assist with judgment-based enforcement, payment orders, asset and receivables attachment, objections, and other available recovery measures. Enforcement costs and third-party expenses are scoped separately.

Clear scope and communication

Litigation in a foreign legal system can be difficult to follow. We communicate in English, explain procedural developments in practical terms, and define the work and fee structure in writing before representation begins.

If you are facing a civil dispute in Türkiye, contact Yilmaz Attorneys for an initial assessment.