GÜNEŞ & GÜNEŞ LAW FIRM
CLIENT CENTER / PROCESS GUIDE
Civil Lawsuit Process
The flow below is a general framework. Also open the specific route for your type of case; written and simplified procedure, uncontested matters and arbitration committee applications do not follow the same order.
Review the steps, the necessary preparation and the key distinctions together.
CIVIL LAWSUITS / PROCESS GUIDE
How does a civil lawsuit proceed?
The steps may run in parallel or change depending on the nature of the matter. Also read the key distinctions below.
Preliminary assessment and the right legal route
The claim, the court with subject-matter and territorial jurisdiction, the conditions for filing, time limits and evidence are assessed. If a formal notice (ihtar), an application to an authority or mediation as a condition precedent to litigation is required, that step is taken first. The need for urgent determination of evidence and interim protection is examined separately.
Petition, registration and first steps
The claims and evidence are set out; the required court fees and advances are assessed. After the case is registered, the court’s first procedural orders, notices of deficiency and official notifications (tebligat) are followed.
Pleadings and defense
In written procedure, the stages are the petition, the response, the reply and the rejoinder. In simplified procedure, a petition and a response are filed; a separate reply and rejoinder are not filed. The rules for putting forward claims and evidence apply according to the procedure of the file.
Preliminary examination
The conditions of suit, initial objections and the subjects in dispute are examined. In suitable matters, the possibility of settlement or mediation is assessed. Deficiencies to be cured and firm deadlines set by the court are followed.
Investigation phase (tahkikat): examination of evidence
If necessary, witnesses are heard; a court-appointed expert examination, on-site examination and research into documents and institutional records are carried out. Statements and objections regarding reports and the evidence collected are submitted. Not all of these steps are taken in every file.
Final statements and judgment
In written procedure, once the investigation phase is complete, the case moves to oral proceedings and judgment is given. In simplified procedure, final statements are taken and the decision is announced; it is not assumed that a separate oral hearing will be held in every file.
Reasoned judgment, service and legal remedies
The reasoning of the decision, the outcome of the claims and the service records are reviewed. Appeal to the regional court of appeal (istinaf) and, where available, appeal to the Court of Cassation (temyiz) are assessed on the basis of the type of decision, the applicable finality limits and the transitional provisions. Not every decision goes through both legal remedies.
Enforcement of the judgment and closing of the file
Collection, delivery, registration or another enforcement step may be required. The requirement of becoming final and enforceability are assessed separately. Payments, the expense account and remaining obligations are clarified.
THIS DISTINCTION MATTERS
Do not overlook the conditions specific to your matter.
The type of case, the filing date and the transitional provisions are assessed together. For indeterminate-claim actions filed before the July 31, 2026 amendment, the former HMK Art. 107 continues to apply; in new files the current rules on claims and increases are the basis.
BY TYPE OF CASE AND MATTER
Open the detailed flow that fits you.
ASSESSMENT SPECIFIC TO YOUR FILE
Let us clarify the next step together.
Tell us the subject of your file and the stage it is at. If there is a time-sensitive document, call the office main line without waiting for a written reply.
Sources and scope
This is general information. The type and date of your file and its special conditions may change the route to follow.
Content and source check: September 28, 2026 · Prepared for Güneş & Güneş Law Firm.