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ESTABLISHMENT · MANAGEMENT · PROTECTION OF RIGHTS

Associations, Foundations and Cooperatives

Protect your organization’s purpose, management and assets with a sound legal structure. We provide legal support in founding documents, the general assembly, membership and cooperative membership rights, inspection, litigation and liquidation processes.

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THE RIGHT STRUCTURE · CLEAR AUTHORITY · REGULAR OVERSIGHT

Three Different Structures,
Each with Its Own Legal Process

Associations, foundations and cooperatives are not subject to the same rules. The right founding document, competent body and route of application are determined by the organization’s purpose and legal nature.

A COMMUNITY OF PERSONS

Association

It is organized around a common purpose other than sharing profit. Bylaws, membership, the general assembly and the representation arrangement are decisive.

ASSETS DEDICATED TO A PURPOSE

Foundation

It is based on property and rights dedicated to a specific and continuing purpose. The foundation deed, registration by the court and the protection of the assets come to the fore.

THE ECONOMIC INTERESTS OF COOPERATIVE MEMBERS

Cooperative

It supports the needs of its members through mutual aid and solidarity. The articles of association, membership rights, financial obligations and oversight are assessed together.

Our Legal Services, from Establishment
to Dispute Resolution

For organizations, founders, members, cooperative members, managers and auditors, we determine the scope of work according to your role and your needs.

How Do We Plan the Legal Work?

  1. Need and time limit

    The type of organization, the applicant’s role, the dispute and urgent dates are determined.

  2. Documents and records

    The founding document, decisions, authorities and electronic system records are compared.

  3. Legal route

    The options of amending the document, notification, negotiation, administrative application or litigation are explained.

  4. Implementation and follow-up

    Decisions, applications and litigation procedures are carried out; a calendar of records and obligations is arranged.

Documents, authority and practice should be consistent with one another.

Depending on the service agreed, a founding document or its revision, a risk assessment, decision and application documents, and a notification calendar may be prepared. The representation of the organization and the personal defense of a manager are assessed separately for conflicts of interest. Fees, expenses and the scope of follow-up are clarified at the outset.

First Consultation Preparation Checklist

First explain the type of organization, your role in the application and your request. Detailed documents are requested after a secure sharing method has been determined.

Basic documents for review

  • Bylaws, foundation deed or articles of association, and their amendments.
  • Registry, representation and signing-authority documents.
  • General assembly call, agenda, minutes and decisions.
  • Membership / cooperative membership decision, payment records and related correspondence.
  • Inspection letter, sanction or official notification; records of service and of becoming aware.

Frequently Asked Questions About Association, Foundation and Cooperative Law

Which should I establish: an association, a foundation or a cooperative?

The purpose, revenue model, membership or cooperative membership, assets and management expectations must be assessed together. Choosing solely on the basis of ease of establishment may lead to problems of authority, tax and activity later on.

Is a sample set of bylaws or articles of association sufficient?

A sample text can provide a starting point; its suitability for the organization’s activities, bodies, revenues and decision-making arrangements must be reviewed separately. Provisions that contradict mandatory rules do not become applicable.

How is the property required for establishing a foundation determined?

The foundation’s purpose and the minimum amount set by the Foundations Council (Vakıflar Meclisi) for the relevant year are assessed together. The current amount and its explanation, with its official source, are given in the foundation establishment guide.

Is accepting a donation the same as aid collection?

No. Permit, notification and record-keeping rules may differ according to the nature of the campaign and the method of collecting money. Using social media or the internet does not remove the need for this review.

I have been expelled from a cooperative; can I let the decision wait?

An assessment should be made without delay, together with the document showing service. The body that made the decision, the route of objection and the time limit are important; the same time limit does not apply to all decisions. The details are in the cooperative guide.

Do DERBİS, VBYS and KOOPBİS records replace a legal review?

No. The electronic records must be compared with the founding document, body decisions and actual operation. These systems also do not replace the monitoring of official notifications received through the National Electronic Notification System (UETS).

Can the same legal support be provided to the organization and a manager?

The scope of representation, the capacities of the parties and any conflict of interest are checked. If the organization’s interest and the manager’s personal liability diverge, independent representation may be necessary.

How are the service fee and the duration of the work determined?

The type of organization, the volume of documents, the scope of the request, the need for administrative or judicial procedures and the urgency are assessed. The scope of advisory work, document preparation, litigation and ongoing follow-up is clarified separately.

Antalya-Based Legal Service with a Türkiye Connection

Güneş & Güneş Law Firm, founded in Kemer on March 18, 1999, assesses establishment, advisory and litigation processes in all 81 provinces of Türkiye according to the requirements of subject-matter and territorial jurisdiction, time limits and representation. Our physical headquarters has been in Antalya since 2007.

Transactions connected with Türkiye that involve a foreign founder, member, cooperative member or funding provider are handled through documents, permits, translation and, where necessary, coordination with legal professionals who are authorized in the relevant country.

Languages of communication: Turkish, English, German and Russian.

Related sectors

Legal Basis

Depending on the type of organization, the relevant laws and special regulations are assessed together.

ASSESSMENT SPECIFIC TO YOUR ORGANIZATION AND REQUEST

Let us clarify your rights and the next step.

You can request a consultation by stating the type of organization, your role and, if any, the approaching date.

Request a Consultation

This content is general information. Information and documents you share are kept confidential and used for legal assessment and within the agreed scope of service. An inquiry alone does not create an attorney–client relationship and does not stop time limits. The legal conditions of the specific matter are reviewed separately.