How to Hire an English-Speaking Lawyer in Istanbul

Hiring an English-speaking lawyer in Istanbul comes down to four steps: confirm that the person is an advocate registered with a Turkish bar, agree the scope of the work and the fee in writing, sign a power of attorney (vekâletname) before a notary in Türkiye or at a Turkish consulate abroad, and let your lawyer file that document in the case or the application. None of those steps requires you to be in the country.

The language and the file are two different questions. Every hearing, police statement, notarial deed and registry filing in Türkiye is conducted in Turkish, and under Article 76 of the Code of Civil Procedure No. 6100 a lawyer cannot act in a case without a power of attorney drawn up or certified by a notary. What an English-speaking lawyer changes is not the language of the file — it is whether you understand what you are signing before you sign it, and whether a deadline reaches you in time to do something about it. What follows is the process, the basis of the fee, and what to expect once the file is open; the practice-area sections after that describe the work itself.

How to hire an English-speaking lawyer in Istanbul, step by step

1. Check that the person is on a bar roll

Article 35 of the Advocacy Act No. 1136 reserves to advocates registered with a bar the right to give opinions in legal matters and on questions of law, to sue for and defend the rights of natural and legal persons before courts, arbitrators and other bodies exercising judicial power, to follow judicial proceedings, and to draw up all the documents belonging to that work. A consultancy, an agency or a foreign-qualified adviser who is not on a Turkish bar roll cannot lawfully do those things for you, whatever the engagement letter calls them. Ask for the advocate's own name and bar registration, not only a trading name; in Istanbul the register is kept by the Istanbul Bar Association (İstanbul Barosu).

The same article adds something foreign clients are rarely told: anyone with the capacity to sue may draw up the documents in their own case, file it and follow it personally. For a single straightforward application that is a genuine option. It is a poor one where the file is in a language you do not read.

2. Agree the scope and the fee in writing before the work starts

Turkish law treats the fee as a matter for agreement between the client and the advocate, within limits set by statute and by an annual tariff — both explained in the next section. What matters at this stage is that the agreement says which matter is covered, what is excluded, who carries court fees and expenses, and what happens if the matter ends early. Get it in writing before any step is taken on your behalf, and get it in a language you read.

3. Sign the power of attorney

Article 76 of the Code of Civil Procedure requires the advocate to put in the case file the original of a power of attorney drawn up or certified by a notary, or a copy the advocate certifies as true to the original. If you are outside Türkiye, a Turkish consulate performs the notarial function, which is why most foreign clients never travel for this step. Article 114 makes a properly drawn power of attorney a condition of the action, and under Article 77 an advocate who has not produced one cannot file the case or take any procedural step — except where delay would cause harm, and then only within a strict period the court fixes.

4. Know what the document actually authorises

Under Article 73, a litigation power of attorney covers everything needed to conduct the case until the judgment becomes final, to have the judgment carried out, and to collect and receipt the costs of the proceedings — and any attempt to cut that authority down is ineffective as against the other side. Article 73 expressly reserves the matters for which the law requires special authority, and Article 74 lists them separately. Settlement and withdrawal are the ones foreign clients are most often surprised by: unless the deed grants that authority in terms, your lawyer cannot compromise your case for you. Read the list of powers the notary or consulate prepares and have anything you do not want granted struck out before you sign.

5. What to expect once the file is open

The proceedings themselves stay in Turkish: the hearing, the expert report, the registry correspondence and the judgment. Your side of it should not. Expect the documents you are asked to approve to reach you in English, expect to be told what a deadline is before it is close, and expect to be told when the answer is that nothing can be done — a fixed statutory period that has expired cannot be argued away. If you cannot travel, say so at the outset: whether a step needs you in person is usually known from the start, and our English-speaking team will tell you which of them, if any, does.

What a lawyer's fee is based on in Türkiye

Article 164 of the Advocacy Act defines the advocate's fee as the sum or the value that answers for the legal assistance given, and then sets the boundaries within which it may be agreed:

• A share of the case may be agreed, up to a quarter. A fee may be fixed as a percentage of the value of the case, of the thing awarded, or of a sum of money — but it may not exceed twenty-five per cent (Article 164(2)).

• The lawyer cannot take the asset itself. An agreement of that kind may not provide that part of the property or rights in dispute, other than money, will belong to the advocate (Article 164(3)).

• There is a floor, not only a ceiling. A fee below the Minimum Advocacy Fee Tariff cannot be agreed (Article 164(4)). Under Article 168 the tariff is prepared each year by the bars and the Union of Turkish Bar Associations, goes to the Ministry of Justice and is published in the Official Gazette; the tariff in force when the work is completed or the judgment given is the one that applies.

• Where nothing was agreed, the law fills the gap. If there is no written fee agreement, or its fee clause is unclear, disputed or invalid, then in matters whose value can be measured in money the authority competent to hear fee objections fixes a figure between ten and twenty per cent of the value of the claim as at the date the judgment became final, for the part of the case won and according to the advocate's effort, and never below the tariff (Article 164(4)).

• The fee the losing side pays is not yours. The attorney fee that the judgment puts on the other party under the tariff belongs to the advocate, not to the client, and it cannot be set off against the client's debts or attached (Article 164, final paragraph). Budget for it as a separate item rather than as a refund.

Court fees, the expense advance the claimant must deposit under Article 114 of the Code of Civil Procedure, translation, notarial and registry costs sit outside the fee altogether. Ask for them to be estimated in the engagement letter, because they are what usually makes the first invoice larger than a client expects.

Comprehensive English-Language Legal Services for Foreigners in Turkey

We provide a full spectrum of legal services designed to support foreign nationals at every stage of their legal journey in Turkey. Whether you are purchasing your first property in Istanbul, facing a criminal investigation, or restructuring a multinational operation — our English speaking legal team ensures your matter is handled with precision, transparency, and full cultural understanding.

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Real Estate & Property Transactions

Turkey's property market attracts billions in foreign investment annually, but the acquisition process is loaded with risks that are invisible to non-Turkish buyers. Hidden liens on title deeds, military zone restrictions, zoning violations, and inflated valuations by developers are not exceptions — they are everyday realities.

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• Title Deed (TAPU) Verification: We conduct full due diligence at the Land Registry (Tapu Müdürlüğü) to confirm clean ownership, check for encumbrances, and verify building compliance before you commit a single dollar.

• Foreign Ownership Eligibility: Not all properties — and not all nationalities — qualify for foreign acquisition in Turkey. We confirm eligibility under the Reciprocity Principle and military zone clearance requirements before you waste time on a deal that cannot close.

• Purchase & Transfer Management: From contract negotiation to the final title deed transfer appointment, we manage the entire transaction in English — including coordination with notaries, banks, and tax offices.

• Investment Structuring for Citizenship: If your purchase is tied to a Turkish Citizenship by Investment application, our team ensures the property meets all valuation, annotation, and holding period requirements under current regulations.

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Criminal Defense & Emergency Representation

Being detained or arrested in a foreign country — where you do not speak the language and do not know your rights — is one of the most vulnerable situations a person can face. Turkish criminal procedure moves fast: a prosecutor can request your detention within 24 hours of arrest, and without a lawyer present during your police statement (ifade), anything you say becomes part of the permanent case file.

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• 24/7 Police Station Response: Our criminal defense team is on call around the clock. When you are taken into custody anywhere in Istanbul, we arrive at the station before your interrogation begins.

• Detention Hearings: We represent you before the Criminal Court of Peace (Sulh Ceza Hâkimliği) to challenge detention orders and secure your release on judicial control measures.

• White-Collar Crime Defense: Fraud, tax evasion, money laundering, and commercial crime allegations require a defense strategy that understands both the criminal charges and the underlying business context. We build that strategy.

• Consular Coordination: We liaise with your embassy or consulate as required under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, ensuring your government is notified and involved where appropriate.

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Corporate & Commercial Law

Entering the Turkish market as a foreign investor requires more than registering a company. It requires understanding the Turkish Commercial Code (TTK No. 6102), navigating tax obligations under a system that is fundamentally different from most Western jurisdictions, and building a corporate structure that protects your interests from day one.

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• Company Formation: Limited Liability Company (Ltd. Şti.) and Joint Stock Company (A.Ş.) establishment with full articles of association drafting, trade registry enrollment, and tax registration.

• Shareholder Agreements & Joint Ventures: Protecting minority shareholders, defining profit distribution, and structuring exit mechanisms — all drafted in English with Turkish legal enforceability.

• M&A Transactions: Due diligence reports, share purchase agreements (SPA), regulatory compliance with the Turkish Competition Authority (Rekabet Kurumu), and post-acquisition restructuring.

• Ongoing Corporate Compliance: Annual general meetings, board resolutions, tax filings, and regulatory reporting — managed entirely on your behalf.

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Immigration & Residence Permits

Turkey's immigration system is governed by Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection, administered by the Directorate General of Migration Management (Göç İdaresi). The rules change frequently, application portals crash regularly, and a single missing document can send you to the back of the line — or worse, trigger a deportation process.

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• Short-Term & Long-Term Residence Permits: Complete application management including biometric appointments, document preparation, address registration, and health insurance compliance.

• Work Permits: Employer-sponsored applications through the Ministry of Labor (ÇSGB), independent work permits, and Turquoise Card (Turkuaz Kart) applications for highly qualified professionals.

• Family Reunification: Residence permits for spouses, children, and dependent family members, including cross-border document apostille coordination.

• Deportation Defense: Emergency representation against deportation orders (sınır dışı etme kararı), administrative detention challenges, and entry ban (giriş yasağı) removal applications before Administrative Courts.

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Family Law & International Divorce

Divorce is complicated enough when both spouses share the same nationality and live in the same country. When different nationalities, different jurisdictions, and children with dual citizenship enter the picture, it becomes a legal minefield. Turkish courts apply the International Private and Procedural Law (MÖHUK — Law No. 5718) to determine which country's law governs the marriage, asset division, and custody arrangements — and the outcome can vary dramatically depending on how the case is filed.

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• Mixed-Nationality Divorce Proceedings: We determine the most favorable jurisdiction for your case and represent you in Turkish Family Courts (Aile Mahkemesi) from petition through final decree.

• Cross-Border Child Custody: International custody disputes involving Turkey require navigating the Hague Convention on Child Abduction alongside Turkish domestic law. We handle both tracks simultaneously.

• Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements: Drafting enforceable agreements under Turkish law that protect foreign spouses' assets acquired before and during the marriage.

• Recognition of Foreign Judgments: If you obtained a divorce abroad and need it recognized in Turkey — or vice versa — we manage the tanıma ve tenfiz proceedings before Turkish courts.

Litigation & Dispute Resolution

Commercial disputes in Turkey do not resolve themselves, and the Turkish court system does not favor passive parties. If you are owed money by a Turkish debtor, if a business partner has breached a shareholders' agreement, or if a contractor has failed to deliver on a construction project — waiting is the most expensive option. Turkish procedural law rewards the party that moves first and moves correctly.

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• Debt Recovery & Enforcement: Fast-track collection through the Execution Offices (İcra Müdürlüğü) under the Enforcement and Bankruptcy Law (İİK No. 2004), including asset seizure and bank account freezing orders.

• Breach of Contract Litigation: Quantifying damages, proving causation, and securing compensation in Turkish Civil Courts of First Instance (Asliye Hukuk Mahkemesi).

• Enforcement of Foreign Judgments: If you hold a court judgment or arbitral award from another country, we handle the recognition and enforcement (tanıma ve tenfiz) process to make it executable in Turkey.

• Arbitration: Representation in ICC, ISTAC (Istanbul Arbitration Centre), and ad hoc arbitration proceedings — including interim measures and enforcement of awards.

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Turkish Citizenship by Investment

Turkey's Citizenship by Investment program has become one of the most attractive in the world — offering a Turkish passport (visa-free access to 110+ countries) in exchange for a qualifying investment. But the process is far from simple. Incorrect property valuations, failure to annotate the title deed with the required 3-year holding restriction, or filing errors in the residence permit bridge application can delay or permanently disqualify your application.

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• $400,000 Real Estate Route: Property identification, independent valuation verification, TAPU annotation, and complete citizenship file preparation — all managed remotely via Power of Attorney.

• $500,000 Bank Deposit Route: Opening a qualifying account, securing the 3-year deposit commitment letter, and coordinating with the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BDDK).

• Family Inclusion: Spouse and children under 18 are included in the same application at no additional investment requirement. We prepare all family documentation and biometric appointments.

• Timeline Management: With proper legal management, the entire process — from property purchase to passport in hand — takes 3 to 6 months.

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Employment & Labor Law for Foreign Businesses

Hiring employees in Turkey — whether Turkish nationals or foreign workers — triggers a dense set of obligations under the Turkish Labor Law (İş Kanunu No. 4857). Wrongful termination claims, severance miscalculations, or non-compliant employment contracts can result in costly litigation and regulatory penalties that catch foreign employers off guard.

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• Employment Contracts: Drafting compliant fixed-term and indefinite-term contracts in both English and Turkish, including non-compete clauses, confidentiality provisions, and termination procedures.

• Work Permits for Foreign Employees: Coordinating employer-sponsored work permit applications through the Ministry of Labor, ensuring the foreign-to-Turkish employee ratio and minimum salary requirements are met.

• Wrongful Termination Defense: Representing employers before Turkish Labor Courts (İş Mahkemesi) in reinstatement claims and severance disputes.

• Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring your Turkish operation meets all obligations under social security law (SGK), occupational health and safety regulations, and data protection requirements (KVKK — Law No. 6698).

What changes in practice when the firm works in your language

Four things decide how a foreign client's matter actually runs in Türkiye: whether you can speak to the lawyer holding the file rather than to an intermediary; whether someone answers when the matter will not wait; whether the work can be done on a power of attorney without you flying here; and whether the same office can take the next question when it turns out to be connected to the first. Those four are set out below.

Fluent English Communication at Every Stage

Your attorney does not hand you off to a translator. From the first WhatsApp message through the final court ruling, every document review, strategy discussion, and status update is conducted directly in English by the lawyer handling your case. No interpreters, no summaries — full, unfiltered communication.

24/7 Emergency Legal Response

Legal emergencies do not follow office hours. If you are detained at 2 AM, if a court issues a surprise injunction on your property, or if your business partner files a criminal complaint against you — our team mobilizes immediately. Police stations, prosecutor offices, and emergency court hearings — any hour, any day.

Full Remote Case Management via Power of Attorney

You do not need to be in Turkey for us to protect your interests. Through a Power of Attorney (Vekâletname) signed at your nearest Turkish consulate, we represent you in court hearings, sign contracts, file government applications, and close real estate transactions entirely on your behalf.

One File, One Point of Contact

Foreign clients rarely arrive with a single, tidy problem. A property purchase turns into a title dispute; a residence refusal turns out to rest on a criminal record; a company sale raises a tax question. Working with Lexin Legal, we keep those threads in one office and with one point of contact, so that the person who knows what you signed in March is still the person you speak to in November.

Not sure where to start with your legal matter in Turkey?

From real estate closings to criminal emergencies, our English speaking legal team delivers results across all practice areas in Turkey.

The Legal Framework: How Turkey Protects Foreign Nationals' Rights

Turkey maintains one of the most progressive legal frameworks in the region when it comes to protecting the rights of foreign nationals. The country's legal infrastructure is built on continental European civil law traditions, heavily influenced by Swiss, German, and Italian models — making it structurally familiar to most Western investors and professionals.

Equal Treatment Principle: According to the Foreign Direct Investment Law No. 4875, foreign nationals and foreign-owned entities receive the same legal treatment as Turkish citizens in commercial matters. You can own 100% of a Turkish company, acquire real estate, and access Turkish courts on equal footing — with no requirement for a local partner or sponsor.

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Constitutional Protections: The Turkish Constitution (Article 36) guarantees every person — regardless of nationality — the right to a fair trial, legal representation, and access to justice. Foreign nationals detained by Turkish police have the right to immediate legal counsel under the Code of Criminal Procedure (CMK No. 5271, Article 149), and the right to consular notification under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.

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Immigration Framework: The legal status of foreigners in Turkey is governed by the Law on Foreigners and International Protection No. 6458, administered by the Directorate General of Migration Management (Göç İdaresi Genel Müdürlüğü). This law establishes clear categories for residence permits, work authorization, family reunification, and international protection — providing a transparent and codified system for foreign nationals living in Turkey.

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Judicial Independence & Bar Association Oversight: Every practicing lawyer in Turkey must be a registered member of a local bar association. In Istanbul, this is the Istanbul Bar Association (İstanbul Barosu), which supervises ethical standards, disciplinary proceedings, and professional qualification requirements. Istanbul Attorneys' founding partners hold active registrations with the Istanbul Bar Association, with over 12 years of combined practice in cross-border legal matters.

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Whether you are a foreign investor establishing a commercial presence, an expat securing residency, or a foreign national navigating the Turkish court system — the legal infrastructure exists to protect your rights. The challenge is knowing how to use it. That is where an English speaking lawyer in Istanbul becomes not a luxury, but a necessity.

Why Choose Istanbul Attorneys as Your Lawyer in Turkey?

We are not just translators in suits; we are your strategic legal partners in a country where every document, every deadline, and every courtroom operates in Turkish.

24/7 Emergency Availability

Police station at 3 AM. A surprise asset freeze on Saturday morning. A deportation order served on a public holiday. Our emergency response team does not wait for Monday. We arrive, we represent, we protect — any hour, any day.

No Language Barriers

Every consultation, contract, court update, and strategy session is conducted directly in English by the attorney managing your case. We negotiate, draft, and litigate in fluent English — you are never lost in translation and never dependent on a third-party interpreter.

Senior-Led, Bar-Registered Representation

Your case is not handed to a junior associate or a paralegal. Our founding attorneys — fully registered members of the Istanbul Bar Association with cross-border practice — personally oversee every international client matter from first contact through resolution.

Your Dedicated Legal Team for International Clients

Led by founding partners with over a decade of experience representing foreigners across Turkey's legal system, our international client practice combines knowledge of Turkish law with the cultural awareness and communication standards that foreign clients expect.

Att. Onur ÇALIŞICI

Head of International Client Relations & Corporate Practice

As a Founding Partner, he leads the firm's international client desk. He specializes in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), guiding investors through company formation, real estate acquisitions, citizenship by investment applications, and complex cross-border M&A transactions. His practice is built around one principle: making Turkish law accessible and predictable for foreign clients who cannot afford ambiguity.

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Att. Oruç AYGÜN

Head of Litigation & Criminal Defense for Foreign Nationals

Co-founder of Istanbul Attorneys, representing foreign nationals in Turkey's criminal justice system and high-stakes commercial disputes. From emergency police station interventions at 3 AM to multi-million dollar enforcement proceedings, he is the attorney international clients call when the situation is urgent and the margin for error is zero. He oversees the firm's dispute resolution, debt recovery, and criminal defense practice groups.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Do I need an English speaking lawyer in Istanbul?

Yes. Turkey's legal system operates entirely in Turkish — every court hearing, police statement, notarial deed, and government filing is conducted in Turkish. Without an English speaking lawyer who is also a licensed Turkish attorney, you risk misunderstanding charges, signing documents you cannot read, or missing critical procedural deadlines. An English speaking lawyer ensures you understand every legal implication and can make informed decisions about your case, investment, or transaction.

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Q2: Can I hire a lawyer in Istanbul without being physically present in Turkey?

Absolutely. Istanbul Attorneys manages cases entirely remotely via Power of Attorney (Vekâletname). You sign the document at your nearest Turkish consulate or embassy, and our team handles everything on your behalf — from real estate closings and company formations to court appearances and citizenship applications — without requiring your travel to Turkey.

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Q3: What legal services do English speaking lawyers in Istanbul provide?

Working with Lexin Legal, the firm covers the areas a foreign client in Türkiye is most likely to need, and can bring in the rest. Core practice areas for international clients include corporate law and company formation, real estate transactions and title deed transfers, Turkish citizenship by investment, criminal defense and white-collar crime, immigration and residence permits, family law and international divorce, commercial litigation and arbitration, tax structuring, and employment law.

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Q4: How do I verify that a lawyer in Istanbul is licensed and qualified?

Every practicing lawyer in Turkey must be registered with a local bar association. In Istanbul, this is the Istanbul Barosu (Istanbul Bar Association). You can verify any attorney's registration through the bar association's online directory. Istanbul Attorneys' founding partners are fully registered members of the Istanbul Bar Association with over 12 years of active practice in cross-border legal matters.

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Q5: What should I look for when choosing an English speaking lawyer in Istanbul?

Key criteria include: active Istanbul Bar Association membership and practice license; proven track record with international clients across multiple nationalities; specialization in your specific legal area; transparent fee structure with a written engagement letter before any work begins; availability for urgent and emergency matters; and network capabilities for complex cross-border matters. Avoid firms that rely on interpreters rather than genuinely bilingual attorneys.

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Q6: Can an English speaking lawyer in Istanbul represent me in Turkish courts?

Yes. Our attorneys are fully licensed Turkish lawyers (Avukat) authorized to represent clients in all Turkish courts — from Criminal Courts of Peace (Sulh Ceza Hâkimliği) and Civil Courts of First Instance (Asliye Hukuk Mahkemesi) to Regional Courts of Appeal (İstinaf) and the Court of Cassation (Yargıtay). All proceedings are conducted in Turkish, but your attorney explains every development, document, and strategy to you in English before, during, and after each hearing.

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Q7: Is Istanbul Attorneys available for emergency legal situations?

Yes. We provide 24/7 emergency response for critical situations including police detention, arrest, criminal investigations, urgent asset freezes, and emergency court orders. Our criminal defense team responds immediately — arriving at police stations, attending prosecutor interviews, and representing clients at emergency hearings on the same day. For urgent matters, contact us directly at +90 850 242 4043.

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Q8: How does the fee structure work for foreign clients?

With a written engagement letter agreed before any work begins. Depending on the matter that is a fixed fee (common for company formations, permit and citizenship applications and conveyancing), an hourly rate (continuing advice and litigation), or a percentage of the case in recovery and enforcement work — which Article 164(2) of the Advocacy Act caps at twenty-five per cent, and Article 164(4) stops below the annual minimum tariff. Court fees, the expense advance and translation costs are estimated separately, because they are not part of the fee. See what a lawyer's fee is based on above for the statutory framework.

General information on Turkish law, not legal advice on your own matter.