Administrative Law
When an administrative act — an appointment, a disciplinary penalty, a tender decision or an administrative fine — infringes your rights, the filing deadline is short and strict. Legalwise's Ankara administrative law team defends your rights against the administration in good time and before the correct court, from annulment and full remedy actions to civil servant disciplinary proceedings.
Message on WhatsAppFor Clients Living Outside Turkey
Foreign individuals and companies affected by a Turkish administrative decision — such as a permit refusal, a fine, or an expropriation — can challenge it before Turkish administrative courts, with most steps handled under a power of attorney.
How to get started from abroadServices We Provide
- Annulment and full remedy actions
- Zoning and permit disputes
- Public procurement law
- Objections to administrative fines
How the Process Works
- 1
Determining the notification date and deadline
We establish the notification date of the act, whether a mandatory administrative application applies, and exactly when the filing deadline expires — the most critical step in administrative litigation.
- 2
Preparing the statement of claim
We prepare the annulment and/or full remedy claim together with the grounds of unlawfulness, adding a stay-of-execution request to the petition where necessary.
- 3
Trial process
Throughout the written proceedings before the administrative court, we submit our responses to the administration's defence and follow any expert examination process.
- 4
Post-judgment follow-up
We monitor the administration's compliance with the judgment and, where necessary, manage an appeal or a compensation claim if the administration fails to implement the decision.
When Should You Seek Legal Help?
- When an administrative act (appointment, dismissal, disciplinary penalty, permit refusal) is notified to you — the 60-day period begins running immediately
- When your security clearance investigation results negatively
- When your participation in a public tender is unjustly rejected
- When an administrative fine is imposed on you
- When you have suffered harm due to an act or action of the administration (full remedy action)
Common Disputes
- Annulment actions against civil servant appointment, promotion and dismissal decisions
- Challenges to security clearance and archive investigation results
- Complaints and objections in public procurement processes
- Zoning plan amendments and permit disputes
- Objections to administrative fines
Our Approach
Time limits in administrative litigation are preclusive and generally cannot be recovered, which is why legal assessment immediately after notification of the act is critical. Legalwise brings your file before the court within the first 60 days with the right strategy, keeping you informed at every stage of the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline for filing an annulment action?
As a general rule, an annulment action must be filed within 60 days of notification of the administrative act. This is a preclusive deadline; missing it means the act becomes final.
Should I first file a lawsuit against an administrative act, or lodge an objection?
Where the law requires a mandatory administrative application, the administration must be approached first; this suspends the time limit for filing a lawsuit. Where no mandatory application is required, a case may be filed directly before the administrative court.
What is the purpose of a stay-of-execution request?
It temporarily suspends the implementation of an administrative act until the case is concluded, in order to prevent damage that would be difficult or impossible to remedy. The request is granted where there is both a clear unlawfulness and a serious risk of harm.
Why is it important to consult a lawyer before filing an administrative action?
Time limits for filing administrative actions are short and strict; missing them can result in total loss of the right to sue, so obtaining a legal assessment immediately after notification of the act is important.
How is an objection to a public tender filed?
Tender participants must first file a complaint with the contracting authority regarding acts in the tender process, and may then, if necessary, object to the Public Procurement Authority.
How is the right of defence exercised in a civil servant disciplinary investigation?
The public official must be clearly informed of the alleged conduct and given the statutory period to prepare a defence; a penalty imposed without following this procedure may be challenged by annulment action.
What rights do property owners have if a municipality amends the zoning plan?
A zoning plan amendment is posted for public review for a set period after publication; objections may be filed during that period, after which an annulment action may be filed directly with the administrative court.
When is a request for a stay of execution refused?
The request is refused where the two conditions — that the act is manifestly unlawful and that its implementation would cause difficult-to-remedy harm — are not jointly established.
What remedy is available for a dispute over a public employee's personnel rights?
Against acts concerning a public employee's personnel rights — such as salary, appointment or promotion — an annulment action or a full remedy action may be filed before the administrative court.
What can be done if an administrative fine is imposed on an unlicensed business?
The fine may be challenged by an annulment action before the administrative court within the statutory period; a stay of execution may also be requested to prevent closure of the business during the proceedings.
Can the administration's silence (implied refusal) be challenged in court?
Yes, the administration's failure to respond within the statutory period is deemed a refusal, and the time limit for filing an action against this implied refusal begins to run.
Can a rejected citizenship application be challenged?
Yes, since the refusal of a citizenship application is an administrative act, it may be challenged by an annulment action before the administrative court.
Within what period must an action against dismissal from public service be filed?
The time limit for filing an administrative action runs from notification of the decision, and the action must be filed with the administrative court within the statutory period; missing it extinguishes the right to sue.
What happens if an administrative court judgment is not complied with?
If the administration fails to implement a final court judgment within the required time, the affected person may file a compensation action, and the personal liability of the responsible officials may also arise.
Can a student disciplinary penalty be challenged in court?
Yes, disciplinary penalties imposed by a university or school are administrative acts and may be challenged before the administrative court by an annulment action alleging procedural or substantive defects.
Related Practice Areas
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