Court Representation in Turkey for European Companies: Legal Strategy for 2025

If you’re a European company doing business in Turkey — through suppliers, distributors, agents, or clients — disputes are not a question of if, but when.

When conflict escalates, you need more than just legal knowledge. You need local representation you can trust — fluent in Turkish law and your business culture.

At RT-Union – Turkish International Law & Consulting Firm, we represent EU and UK-based companies in commercial litigation and enforcement proceedings across Turkey.

Here’s what you need to know before stepping into a Turkish courtroom in 2025.

The most common cases include:

• Breach of contract by Turkish supplier or customer
• Non-payment for goods or services
• Termination of distribution or franchise agreements
• IP disputes (e.g., unauthorized use of trademarks)
• Shareholder or partnership conflicts in Turkish subsidiaries

Even if your contract contains international clauses or arbitration language, local litigation is often unavoidable — especially for enforcement.

Not directly. According to Turkish procedural law:

• Foreign legal entities must be represented by a licensed Turkish attorney
• A Power of Attorney (POA) must be issued — legalized and translated if signed outside Turkey
• All court filings and pleadings must be in Turkish language

Failure to comply can result in the court rejecting the case or entering default judgment.

• Commercial Courts of First Instance – for contractual and corporate cases
• Civil Courts – for property, inheritance, or personal claims
• Enforcement Courts – for execution of judgments and debt collection
• Administrative Courts – for tax, regulatory, and customs disputes

At RT-Union, we assess jurisdiction, court level, and risk strategy before initiating any litigation.

1. Pre-litigation notice (optional but recommended)
2. Lawsuit filing – including evidence and claims
3. Service of summons on Turkish defendant
4. Preliminary hearing – judge reviews formal validity
5. Main hearings and expert review – based on written and oral submissions
6. Judgment – typically 6–18 months depending on complexity
7. Appeal (if applicable)
8. Enforcement – via Turkish bailiff (İcra)

RT-Union handles each stage in Turkish and English, keeping you fully informed.

✅ Legal risk analysis before filing
✅ Drafting and filing all documents in Turkish
✅ Representing you in all court hearings
✅ Coordinating translations and evidence
✅ Enforcing judgments across Turkish jurisdictions

Whether you’re filing a claim or defending one, we act decisively and transparently — with commercial sense and international clarity.

A German client had unpaid invoices totaling €180,000 from a Turkish distributor. RT-Union:

• Reviewed contract and choice of law clauses
• Issued notice and filed claim in Istanbul Commercial Court
• Represented client through four hearings
• Obtained favorable judgment + legal costs
• Enforced via bailiff by freezing debtor’s accounts

Result: full recovery in 9 months, with no need for client travel.

Can I attend court hearings in Turkey remotely?
Yes. With POA, RT-Union appears on your behalf. You’re not required to be present.

Is English documentation valid in court?
No. All evidence must be submitted in Turkish — we provide certified translations.

How long does a lawsuit take in Turkey?
Commercial cases usually last 6 to 18 months, depending on complexity and appeals.

Can RT-Union enforce judgments after winning?
Yes — we handle full-cycle representation, from filing to execution.

• 🎯 Experts in EU–Turkey cross-border litigation
• ⚖️ Licensed Turkish attorneys with multilingual legal team
• 🧩 Transparent, business-focused dispute strategy
• 🌐 Full support in English, German, French, and Russian

We don’t just go to court. We protect your business in unfamiliar legal territory.

🕊️ Need to initiate or defend a claim in Turkey?

Let RT-Union represent your company professionally — in court and beyond.

📞 Get a free case review within 24 hours.