Legal Dictionary

An action reducing, to the extent of the infringement, gifts or bequests made by the deceased that violate the reserved shares of protected heirs.

The judgment issued when the court finds that the defendant did not commit the alleged offence or that its statutory elements are not met.

An action filed to have the court determine to whom the ownership right over an item of real property belongs.

An action filed by the creditor, after the debtor's objection has suspended enforcement, to have the objection declared unfounded and the proceeding resumed.

An additional premium requested by the insurer from the policyholder, to maintain cover in the event of an increase in risk.

A unilateral act adopted by the administration on the basis of public authority, altering the legal position of individuals.

A type of contract to which the administration is party for the operation of a public service, governed by public-law rules distinct from private-law contracts.

A fine imposed directly by the competent administrative authority for offences defined by law, without the need for a court decision.

A legal act by which a person, meeting the conditions set by law, establishes a legal parent-child bond with a minor or an adult by court decision.

An administrative board that oversees commercial advertising and unfair commercial practices and has the power to impose sanctions.

A regular financial contribution paid, during or after divorce or separation, by one spouse to the economically weaker spouse or to a child.

A statutory rest entitlement granted annually to an employee with a certain length of service, with wages paid by the employer.

The basic type of administrative-law action, seeking annulment of an administrative act on the ground that it is unlawful.

Rendering personal data incapable of being associated with an identified or identifiable natural person, even when combined with other data.

A remedy before the Regional Court of Appeal for the re-examination of a first-instance judgment on both the facts and the law.

A person to whom the deceased has chosen, by will or inheritance agreement, to leave all or part of the estate.

A legal process in which a merchant unable to pay its debts has its assets liquidated by court order, with creditors satisfied collectively.

The body vested with the management and representation powers of a joint stock company, elected by the articles of association or the general assembly.

The process of technically and legally determining the boundaries, surface area and legal status of immovable property and recording it in the land registry.

The withdrawal by the administration of a previously granted residence permit, where the statutory conditions cease to be met or are breached.

A remedy before the Court of Cassation reviewing decisions of the Regional Court of Appeal solely for compliance with the law.

An official document, obtainable from a notary or the court, evidencing a person's status as heir and their share of the inheritance.

A document issued to the creditor when a claim cannot be collected in full or in part through enforcement, which interrupts the running of the limitation period.

A type of maintenance paid by the parent who does not have custody after divorce, to contribute to the child's care and education expenses.

The books that merchants are legally required to keep, recording their commercial transactions and serving as evidence in disputes.

A form of compensation payable to the owner of real property for its use without the owner's consent, in the nature of damages for unlawful occupation.

A statutorily mandatory insurance covering harm caused to third parties arising from the operation of a motor vehicle.

A legal process in which a debtor in financial difficulty restructures its debts with the approval of a specified majority of creditors and a court decision.

A form of private ownership established over the independent sections of a completed building, limited to that section and including a share of common areas.

An administrative board that resolves consumer disputes below a statutory monetary threshold more quickly and at no cost, compared to the courts.

A loan taken out by a consumer from a lender to acquire goods or services, benefiting from special statutory protections such as early repayment and pre-contractual information.

A type of case in which the spouses cannot agree on the divorce or its consequences, and the court evaluates each party's claims and evidence.

A form of protection securing the moral and economic rights that arise for the creator of a work automatically, without the need for registration.

The offender's knowing and willing realisation of the elements defined by law for an offence.

A process, applicable to offences listed by law, in which a suspect or defendant and the victim reach agreement through a reconciliation officer.

A commercial contract by which the parties agree to convert their mutual claims into a single periodic balance rather than claiming them separately.

The bundle of rights and duties legally granted to a parent regarding the care, education and legal representation of a minor child.

The notification that a data controller must make to the Data Protection Board and to affected data subjects in the event of unlawful acquisition of personal data.

The natural or legal person who determines the purposes and means of processing personal data and is responsible for establishing and managing the data recording system.

The contact person or representative registered with VERBIS by a data controller established abroad, for applications made in Türkiye.

The obligation of data controllers meeting the statutory criteria to register with VERBIS by declaring their personal-data processing inventory.

The natural or legal person who processes personal data on behalf of the data controller, under authority granted by the controller.

The independent administrative authority that examines complaints under the data protection law, may open investigations of its own motion, and has the power to impose administrative fines.

Goods that do not conform to the sample or model agreed by the parties, or that objectively lack the qualities they should possess.

A service that is not performed in accordance with the sample agreed in the contract or the qualities promised by the provider.

An administrative arrangement allowing a taxpayer facing payment difficulties to defer and pay a tax debt in installments, subject to certain conditions.

A mechanism under which, if the defendant meets certain conditions, a conviction produces no legal effect during a set supervisory period.

An action in which the husband claims that a child born within the marriage is not his and seeks removal of the presumed paternal bond.

An administrative decision issued by the migration authority requiring a foreign national to leave Türkiye in the circumstances specified by law.

The process by which the deceased's assets, rights and debts are ascertained by the court or a notary, before division among the heirs.

An administrative sanction applied, in accordance with the procedure set by law, against a public official for conduct contrary to the rules of their duties.

A contract concluded between a seller and a consumer without their simultaneous physical presence, using means such as the internet or telephone.

The process, upon the end of a marriage, of dividing assets acquired by the spouses during the marriage according to the statutory procedure.

The taxation of the same tax subject matter more than once for the same period.

The situation in which a person simultaneously holds both Turkish citizenship and the citizenship of another state.

The data controller's obligation to inform the data subject, before processing, of the purpose, legal basis and their rights.

A limited real right established over real property in favour of another parcel or a specific person, restricting the ownership right.

A type of enforcement proceeding initiated on the basis of a court judgment or a document having the effect of a judgment.

The general attachment procedure initiated directly by a creditor applying to the enforcement office, without any court judgment.

A tenant's written undertaking to vacate the leased property by a specified date; if not honoured, it entitles the landlord to seek eviction through enforcement proceedings.

The determination of the tax base, in whole or in part, by the tax administration based on a valuation committee decision, without reliance on books, records or documents.

An accelerated route to citizenship available to foreign nationals meeting specific statutory conditions, such as investment, employment creation or real-estate acquisition.

The data subject's freely given, informed and specific consent to the processing of their personal data.

The transfer of real property into public ownership by the administration, against payment of compensation and without requiring the owner's consent, where the public interest so requires.

The dwelling in which the spouses actually live together, specially protected by law, over which no disposition may be made without the other spouse's consent.

A filing procedure by which the taxpayer declares tax while expressly reserving the right to later challenge it in court.

The point at which a court decision becomes unchangeable, either because the time limit for appeal has expired or all avenues of appeal have been exhausted.

A contract under which a landowner transfers land to a contractor in exchange for receiving independent units in the building to be constructed.

The process and legal framework governing the establishment of a company in Türkiye, under Turkish law, by foreign natural or legal persons as a means of investment.

An action by a person whose personal right has been violated by an administrative act or action, seeking compensation for the resulting harm.

The highest corporate body, in which shareholders or partners take decisions on matters listed by law and the articles of association.

The ordinary route to citizenship, available to foreign nationals meeting general conditions such as a period of uninterrupted residence in Türkiye.

A sign identifying products originating from a specific locality, area or region, whose qualities are attributable to that origin.

The process of balancing, at the division of the estate, gifts made by the deceased during their lifetime to certain heirs against the shares of the other heirs.

The official document prepared by the public prosecutor at the end of an investigation, setting out the alleged offence and the evidence, and submitted to the court.

The registration and protection of the lines, shapes, colours and other features constituting a product's appearance, subject to the requirements of novelty and individual character.

A testamentary disposition made by the deceased with another party before a notary, which cannot be unilaterally revoked.

A sales contract in which the price is divided and paid at regular intervals, including additional protective provisions in favour of the consumer.

A specialised arbitration body that resolves disputes between insurance companies and policyholders or beneficiaries more quickly than the courts.

The amount paid by the insurer to the insured or the beneficiary under the policy upon occurrence of the insured risk.

The written document setting out the terms of an insurance contract, the scope of cover, and the parties' rights and obligations.

The state of default into which the insurer falls if it fails to pay the indemnity within the period set by law or the contract.

A specialised court with jurisdiction over disputes concerning trademarks, patents, designs and copyright.

The refugee, conditional refugee or subsidiary protection status granted in Türkiye to foreign nationals at risk of persecution or serious harm in their country of origin.

The most commonly relied-upon general ground for divorce under Turkish law, referring to a marriage having broken down to a degree that makes shared life unbearable.

A form of liability in which each of several debtors can be held individually liable to the creditor for the entire debt.

A capital company whose capital is divided into shares, with shareholders' liability limited to the capital they have committed.

A protective measure applied instead of pre-trial detention, involving obligations such as a travel ban or periodic reporting to the authorities.

Non-registrable technical or commercial knowledge that carries economic value and is kept confidential.

A contract by which the holder of an intellectual or industrial property right transfers, under specified conditions, the authority to use that right to another party.

The most commonly chosen capital-company form in Türkiye, in which shareholders' liability is generally limited to their capital contribution.

The under-assessment or non-assessment of tax resulting from the taxpayer's or the responsible party's failure to timely fulfil their obligations.

An alternative dispute resolution method in which the parties, assisted by an independent, impartial mediator, attempt to resolve their dispute without going to court.

A natural or legal person who operates a commercial enterprise, even in part, in their own name.

The combination of two or more companies into a single company, either through one taking over the other or by forming a new company.

A limited real right established over real property to secure a claim, giving the creditor the power to have the property sold to satisfy the debt if unpaid.

An optional insurance covering damage to the insured vehicle itself, within the scope of the policy's guarantees.

A type of lawsuit in which a person asks the court to declare that they are not liable for an alleged debt.

The unintentional causing of a result that the offender foresaw or could have foreseen, through conduct contrary to a duty of care.

A category of negotiable security — such as cheques, promissory notes and bills of exchange — subject to strict statutory form requirements and a privileged enforcement procedure.

An agreement by which the employee undertakes not to work, for a defined period and territory, in a business competing with the employer after the contract ends.

A decision by the public prosecutor not to file a case at the end of an investigation, on the ground that there is insufficient suspicion or evidence.

An official notice sent by the enforcement office to a third party to attach the debtor's claims against that third party.

Compensation paid by the party terminating an employment contract to the other party where the statutory notice period has not been observed.

An administrative objection filed with the Re-Examination and Evaluation Board against a decision refusing a trademark or patent application.

An event, as defined by law, occurring at the workplace or in the course of work, causing physical or psychological harm to the employee.

The actual occurrence of the event covered under an insurance contract.

A contract concluded outside the trader's place of business, at the consumer's location, benefiting from additional statutory protections such as the right of withdrawal.

A situation in which the sum insured is set above the actual value of the insured interest.

Work performed beyond the statutory normal weekly working hours, which must generally be paid at an increased rate.

The statutory default matrimonial property regime in Türkiye, applicable unless the spouses agree otherwise by contract.

An action by co-owners of a property seeking to end the co-ownership by dividing the property in kind or through its sale.

An industrial property title granting its holder exclusive rights of use, for a limited period, over an invention that is new, capable of industrial application and involves an inventive step.

For certain minor offences, the possibility of preventing prosecution by the suspect paying a statutorily set amount.

The official document sent to the debtor upon commencement of enforcement proceedings, requiring payment of the debt or an objection within a set period.

The temporary restriction of a person's liberty by law enforcement on suspicion of a crime, for a limited period.

A type of alimony that a spouse who will fall into poverty as a result of the divorce, and who is not more at fault, may claim from the other spouse.

A contract for the purchase of housing not yet completed, under which the price is paid in advance in instalments.

The placement of a suspect or defendant in prison by court order, where there is a risk of flight or evidence tampering.

A measure allowing a creditor to have a debtor's assets provisionally seized by court order to secure a claim that has not yet become final.

A strict, statutorily defined period for exercising a right; once it expires, the right is extinguished entirely, and the court must apply it of its own motion.

A fundamental labour-law principle prohibiting the employer from discriminating, without justification, between employees in the same or a similar situation.

The power and duty of the administrative-law judge to investigate a case of their own motion, without being bound solely by evidence submitted by the parties.

An application to a higher administrative authority that, where required by law, must be made before filing a court action against certain administrative acts.

The trial stage — from the court's acceptance of the indictment until the judgment becomes final — during which hearings take place.

A list showing how proceeds from the enforcement sale of real property are distributed among creditors according to their statutory order of priority.

The area of law governing the acquisition of real estate in Türkiye by foreign natural persons, including conditions such as reciprocity and area limits.

The process by which a decision issued by a foreign court is recognised by a Turkish court and made enforceable in Türkiye.

The process by which the res judicata effect of a foreign court judgment is accepted in Türkiye; unlike enforcement, it does not require the judgment to be enforceable.

An action by an employee covered by job security protection seeking reinstatement following a termination found to be invalid.

A facility in which foreign nationals subject to a deportation order are held under administrative supervision until the process is completed.

A simplified procedure, replacing a full lawsuit, by which the creditor asks the enforcement court to remove the debtor's objection on the basis of specific documents.

An action available once a lease has lasted five years, allowing either party to ask the court to redetermine the rent according to market rates.

The heir's declaration to the court, within the period set by law, that they do not accept the inheritance that has devolved to them.

The minimum share of an estate that the law guarantees to certain heirs and that the deceased cannot eliminate entirely, even through their own dispositions.

A permit issued by the migration authority allowing foreigners to legally reside in Türkiye for a specified period.

A limited real right, linked to a share of the land, established over a not-yet-completed building with a view to future conversion into condominium ownership.

The right of co-owners, in co-ownership, to purchase a co-owner's share in priority when that co-owner sells it to a third party.

The insurer's right, after indemnifying the insured, to recover the amount paid from the third party responsible for the loss.

The consumer's right, in certain contracts such as distance sales, to withdraw from the contract without giving a reason or paying a penalty.

The right of a data subject, under certain conditions, to request the erasure of their personal data or its removal from search results.

The right of natural and legal persons to request information and documents from public institutions, subject to the exceptions provided by law.

The process by which an enforcement office places a debtor's assets and rights under attachment to secure collection of a debt.

A matrimonial property regime, selectable by contract during marriage, under which each spouse has sole power of disposal over their own assets.

Compensation paid by the employer to an employee with at least one year of seniority when the employment contract ends under the circumstances specified by law.

Categories of data — such as health, ethnicity, religion or political opinion — whose processing carries a risk of discrimination for the data subject and which are subject to stricter protection.

A form of testamentary disposition by which the deceased leaves a specific asset from the estate to a designated person, without conferring heir status.

The loss of a right's enforceability through litigation if it is not exercised within the statutory period; unlike a preclusive period, the court does not apply it unless a party raises it.

An heir who inherits under the statutory parentela (bloodline group) system even in the absence of a will by the deceased.

The legal presumption that an inheritance has been renounced where it is manifestly evident, or officially established, that the deceased was insolvent at the time of death.

A court order temporarily suspending the implementation of an administrative act until the case is concluded, to prevent difficult-to-remedy harm.

The examination of a taxpayer's books, records and documents by authorised tax inspectors, to verify the accuracy of the tax due.

A specialised administrative court competent to resolve disputes relating to taxes, duties, fees and similar financial obligations.

The obligation to pay tax, arising upon the occurrence of the taxable event defined by law.

A sanction imposed on a taxpayer or responsible party for acts contrary to tax law, including types such as the tax-loss penalty and the procedural-irregularity penalty.

An administrative resolution method in which the taxpayer and the tax authority agree on the amount of assessed tax and penalty without resorting to litigation.

The right of the employee or employer to terminate the contract without notice where serious grounds exist, such as a breach of the rules of morality and good faith.

An action filed on the claim that an attached asset belongs not to the debtor but to a third party, seeking removal of the attachment.

An action seeking the annulment of a title registration made irregularly, fraudulently or unlawfully, and its re-registration in the name of the rightful owner.

Confidential information, methods or data that give a business a competitive advantage and carry economic value.

An action by a trademark owner, in the event of unauthorised use of a registered mark, seeking to stop the infringement and claim damages.

The process of registering a sign as a trademark with the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office, protected for specified classes of goods and services.

A tax rule requiring transactions in goods or services between related parties to be priced in accordance with the arm's-length principle.

The abbreviation for the Personal Data Protection Law — Türkiye's core statute governing the procedures and principles for processing personal data.

A form of divorce in which the spouses agree on its financial consequences and, where applicable, the situation of the children, and submit this in a protocol to the court.

A situation in which the sum insured is set below the insurable value, resulting in indemnity being paid on a proportional basis in the event of loss.

A legal concept covering acts contrary to the rules of commercial fairness, such as misleading competitors or the market, or damaging reputation.

A form of invention protection, distinct from a patent, registered through a simpler and shorter examination process, with a limited protection term.

A termination based on the employee's incapacity, conduct, or the requirements of the business, workplace or job, carried out in accordance with the procedure required by law.

A public registry maintained by the Turkish Data Protection Authority in which data controllers declare their personal data processing activities.

A document issued by the manufacturer or importer for certain goods, setting out the consumer's rights in the event the goods prove defective.

The statutorily guaranteed period during which a consumer may claim free repair or replacement from the seller or manufacturer if the goods prove defective.

A unilateral testamentary disposition made by the deceased, in compliance with the formal requirements set by law, to take effect after death.

The permit that foreign nationals must obtain from the competent ministry in order to work, whether as an employee or independently, in Türkiye.

Systematic and persistent psychological pressure, intimidation and exclusion directed at an employee in the workplace.

The termination of an employment contract by the employer without a valid or just cause as required by law.

A plan prepared by the competent authority determining land use, construction conditions and public areas within a region.