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Dispute Resolution and Litigation

The first step in any dispute is assessing the legal risk and cost before going to court. Where evidence may be lost, a court can be asked to preserve it; where a claim is at risk, interim injunctions or precautionary attachment are available. Disputes can also be resolved outside court: mediation is mandatory before filing many commercial and lease claims, and where there is an arbitration agreement the dispute is decided by an arbitral tribunal.

Last updated: November 2026This page was prepared by our lawyers registered with the Istanbul Bar Association.

Scope of our work

Preventive law and litigation strategy

Before a dispute reaches court, a legal risk and cost-benefit analysis is carried out. In claims for breach of contract, tort or unjust enrichment, actions to preserve evidence and interim protection such as injunctions and precautionary attachment are pursued.

International and commercial disputes

Representation before first-instance courts, regional courts of appeal and the Court of Cassation in disputes arising from joint venture agreements, shareholder conflicts, unfair competition and international sale of goods (CISG).

Alternative dispute resolution and arbitration

Settlement negotiations and voluntary or mandatory mediation are conducted. We act as party counsel in ISTAC, ICC and other institutional or ad hoc arbitrations, and handle recognition and enforcement of foreign court judgments and arbitral awards in Türkiye.

How does the process work?

  1. We review the subject of the dispute, documents and correspondence, and identify limitation periods.
  2. Litigation, mediation, arbitration and settlement are compared in terms of risk and cost.
  3. Where needed, interim protection is requested through preservation of evidence or an injunction.
  4. Pleadings are prepared and we attend hearings and expert examinations.
  5. After judgment, appeal or enforcement is followed.

Frequently asked questions

Is mediation mandatory before filing a lawsuit?

Yes, in many areas: commercial claims for payment of money or compensation, employment, consumer and lease disputes, partition of co-owned property and neighbour disputes all require an application to mediation before suit.

Can a foreign judgment or arbitral award be enforced in Türkiye?

Foreign court judgments can be enforced through an exequatur action under Law No. 5718, and foreign arbitral awards mainly under the 1958 New York Convention. Conditions such as reciprocity, finality and public policy are examined separately.

Relevant legislation

  • Code of Civil Procedure No. 6100 (preservation of evidence art. 400 ff., injunctions art. 389 ff.)
  • Enforcement and Bankruptcy Law No. 2004 (precautionary attachment art. 257 ff.)
  • Law No. 6325 on Mediation in Civil Disputes
  • International Arbitration Law No. 4686 and the 1958 New York Convention
  • Law No. 5718 on Private International and Procedural Law (recognition and enforcement)

The information on this page is general and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is different, and legislation and practice may change.

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