UYAP Glossary: Turkish Judiciary Terminology for English Speakers

Last updated: April 18, 2026 · 75+ terms · English reference

If you are a foreign lawyer, legal translator, academic, or journalist working with Turkish court documents, the terminology of the Turkish judiciary can be a significant barrier. Terms like UYAP, UDF, istinaf, tebligat, and vekaletname appear constantly in case files, yet most have no single clean English equivalent. This glossary translates and explains the 75+ terms most commonly encountered when dealing with Turkish judicial documents, courts, and electronic filing systems.

If you have received a .udf file from a Turkish court or attorney, see our What is UDF? guide for an explanation of the file format itself, or our UYAP Guide for a broader overview of the system. To convert a UDF file into a readable PDF in your browser, visit the converter.

A

• Adli Sicil
  English: Criminal Record
  The official registry of criminal convictions maintained by the General Directorate of Judicial Records and Statistics (Adli Sicil ve Istatistik Genel Mudurlugu) under Law No. 5352. Turkish citizens can retrieve their record instantly through the e-Devlet portal using their national ID number. The record is routinely required for public-sector hiring, firearm licenses, certain private-sector roles, and visa applications. After a conviction is served and a statutory period passes, the record is transferred to the archived register (arsiv kaydi), which is visible only to authorized authorities. Translators should note that an "archived" Turkish record is not equivalent to an "expunged" record in U.S. practice - the entry still exists but is screened from most requesters.
• Adli Tatil
  English: Judicial Recess / Court Vacation
  The annual recess of the Turkish judiciary running from July 20 to August 31, regulated by Articles 102-104 of the Code of Civil Procedure (HMK) and Article 331 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CMK). Non-urgent cases are not heard during this period; only duty courts handle time-critical matters such as interim injunctions, precautionary attachments, detention reviews, alimony requests, and evidence preservation. If a procedural deadline expires during adli tatil, it is extended to the close of business on the seventh day after the recess ends. Foreign counsel coordinating with Turkish lawyers should plan filings and hearings around this window. Electronic notifications (e-tebligat) continue to arrive during the recess, so deadlines that fall outside the formal extension rule still run.
• Adli Yil
  English: Judicial Year
  The Turkish judicial calendar year, officially opening on September 1 with a ceremony attended by the President of the Court of Cassation and senior members of the judiciary. The end of adli yil roughly coincides with the start of the next year's adli tatil. The term is used statistically (case volume per judicial year), administratively (annual appointments and rotations), and ceremonially. When translating Turkish court statistics or annual reports, align dates to the September-August cycle rather than the calendar year to avoid misreading caseload figures.
• Agir Ceza Mahkemesi
  English: High Criminal Court (Assize Court)
  A three-judge panel that tries the most serious criminal offenses in Turkey, including aggravated murder, organized crime, terrorism-related offenses, and crimes carrying minimum sentences above a statutory threshold. Each judicial district has at least one agir ceza mahkemesi, often numbered (for example Istanbul 1st High Criminal Court). Unlike single-judge criminal courts, agir ceza issues collective decisions by majority. Appeals go first to the Regional Court of Appeals (Bolge Adliye Mahkemesi) and then, for qualifying offenses, to the Court of Cassation (Yargitay). In English translation, "High Criminal Court" is the most widely accepted rendering, though "Heavy Penal Court" occasionally appears in older case law.
• Aile Mahkemesi
  English: Family Court
  A specialized civil court handling divorce, custody (velayet), alimony (nafaka), spousal maintenance, adoption, and other family-law matters under Law No. 4787 and the Turkish Civil Code. In smaller provinces without a dedicated family court, a Civil Court of First Instance (Asliye Hukuk Mahkemesi) sits as a family court. Proceedings before aile mahkemesi are typically confidential, and rulings are frequently subject to interim injunctions regarding children, shared assets, and residence rights. For foreign litigants, matters handled by this court often raise Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction issues.
• Anayasa Mahkemesi
  English: Constitutional Court
  Turkey's highest court for constitutional review, seated in Ankara. It rules on the constitutionality of laws (norm denetimi) and hears individual applications (bireysel basvuru) alleging violations of fundamental rights protected by both the Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights. Individual applications became available in 2012 and created a domestic remedy that must generally be exhausted before applying to the European Court of Human Rights. Constitutional Court judgments are binding on all organs of state, and operative findings of a rights violation often lead to retrial or administrative reversal in the underlying case.
• Arabuluculuk
  English: Mediation
  A formal alternative dispute resolution procedure regulated by the Law on Mediation in Civil Disputes (No. 6325). Mediation is a mandatory prerequisite (dava sarti) before filing employment disputes, commercial claims, and consumer disputes; cases filed without first attempting mediation are dismissed on procedural grounds. Mediators are lawyers with at least five years of experience who have completed mediation training and are registered with the Mediation Department (Arabuluculuk Daire Baskanligi). A signed settlement, once annotated by a court, has the force of a judgment and can be enforced directly through the Execution Office. All mediation workflows are managed through a dedicated UYAP sub-portal.
• Asliye Ceza Mahkemesi
  English: Criminal Court of First Instance
  A single-judge criminal court that handles mid-severity offenses not reserved for the High Criminal Court. Typical caseload includes intentional injury, threats, fraud below a statutory threshold, and other offenses punishable by imprisonment outside the agir ceza bracket. Decisions are appealable to the Regional Court of Appeals. In translating Turkish criminal judgments, "Criminal Court of First Instance" (or simply "Criminal Court") captures the distinction between asliye ceza and sulh ceza (whose criminal jurisdiction has been abolished - remaining criminal duties are now handled by the criminal judgeship of peace, ceza hakimligi).
• Asliye Hukuk Mahkemesi
  English: Civil Court of First Instance
  The general-jurisdiction civil trial court in Turkey, hearing any civil matter not expressly assigned to a specialized court. This includes most contract, property, tort, and unjust-enrichment claims. Staffed by a single judge, its decisions may be appealed to the Bolge Adliye Mahkemesi. When reading Turkish contract clauses that designate "Istanbul courts" or similar language, the default forum will usually be an Asliye Hukuk Mahkemesi unless the subject matter is reserved for a commercial, labor, consumer, or family court.
• Avukat
  English: Attorney-at-Law
  A licensed legal practitioner admitted to a provincial bar association (baro) under the Attorneys Act (No. 1136). Turkish attorneys complete a one-year apprenticeship (avukatlik stajı) before obtaining a license. Only attorneys registered with a bar may represent clients in court, notarize powers of attorney, or use the Avukat Portal within UYAP. Foreign lawyers cannot practice Turkish law but may provide foreign-law or advisory services through registered liaison offices. The written authorization granting an attorney the right to act for a client is the vekaletname.
• Avukat Portal
  English: Lawyer Portal (UYAP)
  The lawyer-facing gateway into UYAP, accessible at avukat.uyap.gov.tr. Attorneys sign in with their bar registration number and an electronic signature (e-imza) to file petitions, view case files, download documents in UDF and PDF, pay court fees, review hearing calendars, and receive electronic notifications. The portal has effectively replaced in-person courthouse visits for routine filings and has become indispensable to the practice of law in Turkey. Foreign-counsel teams working with Turkish co-counsel will typically receive documents that their Turkish colleagues have retrieved through this portal.

B

• Baro
  English: Bar Association
  The provincial-level professional body to which Turkish attorneys must belong in order to practice. Each of Turkey's 81 provinces has its own bar (for example, Istanbul Bar Association - Istanbul Barosu), and all provincial bars are members of the Union of Turkish Bar Associations (TBB). The bar regulates admission, ethics, fee schedules (minimum tariff - asgari ucret tarifesi), and disciplinary matters. Baro registration is a precondition for using the Avukat Portal.
• Bilirkisi
  English: Court Expert / Court-Appointed Expert
  A subject-matter specialist appointed by a court to assist in resolving technical questions that lie outside the judge's expertise. Regulated by HMK Articles 266-287 and CMK Articles 62-73, court experts are chosen from a regional registry maintained by the Expert Board (Bilirkisi Bolge Kurulu). Their written reports are uploaded to UYAP in UDF format and served on the parties, who may raise objections within fixed periods. The judge is not bound by the expert's conclusions but may not override them without reasoned analysis. Because many Turkish civil cases effectively turn on expert findings, bilirkisi reports are among the most important documents in a typical case file.
• Bolge Adliye Mahkemesi
  English: Regional Court of Appeals (BAM)
  The intermediate appellate court in both civil and criminal cases, operational since 2016. Regional Courts of Appeals review first-instance decisions on both factual and legal grounds (istinaf), sitting in panels of three judges divided into civil, criminal, and other specialized chambers. A BAM decision may be appealed further to the Court of Cassation (temyiz) in cases that meet statutory threshold requirements. Translators sometimes render BAM as "District Court of Appeals" or simply "Court of Appeals"; "Regional Court of Appeals" is the form most consistent with official Ministry of Justice translations.

C

• Celse
  English: Hearing Session
  An individual sitting of a court within the broader arc of a case. Unlike duruşma, which can refer to the institution of hearings generally, celse refers to a specific scheduled session: first session, second session, and so on. Turkish court decisions often recite "birinci celsede" (at the first session) or "son celsede" (at the final session). Translators should preserve this distinction in transcripts and procedural summaries because the numbering of celses is legally significant for evidence admissibility and procedural default rules.
• Cek
  English: Check
  A negotiable instrument drawn on a bank and governed by the Turkish Commercial Code together with Law No. 5941 on Checks. A dishonored check is a common basis for enforcement proceedings (icra takibi) in Turkey. The payee may pursue both the drawer and any endorsers through Execution Offices and may, in specific circumstances, seek criminal penalties for issuing a check without provision. Translators should use "check" (U.S.) or "cheque" (U.K.) consistently within a document and avoid conflating cek with senet, which is a broader category.

D

• Danistay
  English: Council of State
  Turkey's highest administrative court, based in Ankara, performing both appellate and advisory functions. As the final administrative appellate authority, Danistay reviews decisions of Regional Administrative Courts (Bolge Idare Mahkemesi) and issues binding interpretations of administrative law. It also issues opinions on government regulations before publication. In English-language materials the rendering "Council of State" is standard; avoid the literal "State Council," which can be confused with executive organs in other jurisdictions.
• Dava
  English: Case / Lawsuit / Legal Action
  The most general term for a contested matter before a Turkish court. Types include civil (hukuk davasi), criminal (ceza davasi), administrative (idari dava), commercial (ticari dava), labor (is davasi), and family (aile davasi). Each dava is assigned a docket number (esas numarasi) and tracked through UYAP from filing to final judgment. When translating, pair the specific dava type with its closest English equivalent rather than using "case" alone, since Turkish procedural rules vary significantly by category.
• Dilekce
  English: Petition / Written Submission
  The general term for a written application submitted to a court, prosecutor's office, or administrative body. Specific types include the complaint (dava dilekcesi), response (cevap dilekcesi), request for excused absence (mazeret dilekcesi), and appellate petition (istinaf dilekcesi / temyiz dilekcesi). Dilekceler filed electronically through UYAP must be signed with a qualified e-imza or mobile signature; court fees must be paid before a filing is considered validly made.
• Dosya
  English: Case File
  The complete digital folder on UYAP containing every document, pleading, order, notification, and expert report related to a specific case. Each dosya is identified by its docket number in the format "2026/123 E." Attorneys with vekaletname can access their clients' dosyalar 24/7 through the Avukat Portal and download any item in UDF or PDF format. A complete copy of a case file can be obtained as a ZIP archive for archival or expert review purposes.
• Duruşma
  English: Court Hearing
  A scheduled court session during which the judge conducts the case - taking witness testimony, hearing arguments, receiving evidence, and issuing interim orders. Duruşmalar are generally public unless the court orders closed proceedings (gizli oturum). Duruşma tutanagi (hearing minutes) is the official written record of what transpires. Since the expansion of SEGBIS, many hearings - particularly those requiring testimony from parties in other provinces - are conducted wholly or partly by video conference.
• Durusma Tutanagi
  English: Hearing Minutes / Court Minutes
  The official record of what occurs during a court hearing, prepared by the court clerk (zabit katibi), signed by the judge and parties, and uploaded to UYAP in UDF format. Governed by HMK Article 154 and CMK Article 219, the minutes become critical evidence on appeal because appellate courts treat them as authoritative of what was said and done. Turkish practitioners take considerable care to have their statements accurately recorded into the minutes during the hearing itself, since corrections after the fact are difficult.

E

• E-Devlet
  English: e-Government Portal
  Turkey's unified citizen services portal at turkiye.gov.tr, integrated with UYAP to allow citizens to query their own cases, request criminal records, track enforcement proceedings, and download judgments. Access uses a national ID number plus either an e-Devlet password issued by PTT, an e-imza, a mobile signature, an electronic ID card, or internet banking authentication. Two-factor authentication is used throughout. Documents obtained through e-Devlet are authoritative and can be verified against UYAP's barcode system (barkod sistemi).
• E-Imza
  English: Electronic Signature (Qualified)
  A qualified electronic signature regulated by the Electronic Signatures Act (No. 5070), functionally equivalent to a handwritten signature under Turkish law. Within UYAP, every official document - court decisions, hearing minutes, petitions, expert reports - is signed with an e-imza and bound to the signer's qualified certificate issued by an accredited provider (Kamu SM, TurkTrust, E-Guven, and others). The certificate is stored on a smart card or USB token. Any tampering with a signed document invalidates the signature, preserving document integrity. For instructions on verifying signatures in UDF files you have received, see our UDF to PDF conversion guide.
• E-Tebligat
  English: Electronic Notification / Electronic Service
  Service of judicial and administrative notifications through Turkey's national Electronic Notification System (UETS), administered by PTT under Law No. 7201. E-tebligat is mandatory for attorneys, public institutions, state-owned enterprises, banks, notaries, and joint-stock companies. A notification is deemed served at the end of the fifth day after it reaches the recipient's electronic mailbox - a rule that is critical for calculating procedural deadlines. UYAP automatically tracks service dates and computes response windows. For foreign counsel coordinating with Turkish attorneys, understanding the five-day rule is essential for hitting appeal and response deadlines.
• Esas Numarasi
  English: Docket Number
  The unique case identifier assigned automatically when a case is filed and randomly distributed to a court. Written in the form "2026/123 E." (year/sequential number, followed by the abbreviation for esas). Once a judgment is issued, the case is additionally given a karar numarasi ("2026/456 K.") combining to form the complete case citation "2026/123 E. - 2026/456 K." When citing Turkish judgments in English-language briefs, the combined form with court name (for example, "Istanbul 5th Asliye Hukuk Mahkemesi, 2026/123 E. - 2026/456 K.") is the most precise format.

G

• Gerekceli Karar
  English: Reasoned Decision / Full Written Judgment
  The written judgment setting out in detail the factual findings, legal reasoning, and operative conclusions of a Turkish court. HMK Article 297 and CMK Article 230 specify the mandatory elements, including a statement of the parties' claims, a summary of the evidence, legal characterization, application of statutory provisions, and the dispositive order. After the short judgment (kisa karar) is announced at the hearing, the judge must issue the gerekceli karar within one month. Notification of the gerekceli karar typically starts the running of the appeal period, making this the operative date for calculating istinaf and temyiz deadlines.
• Gozalti
  English: Police Custody / Detention
  Detention by law enforcement under a prosecutor's instruction, regulated by CMK Article 91. Gozalti is ordinarily limited to 24 hours but may be extended up to 48 hours (or longer in certain organized-crime contexts). Detainees have rights to counsel, medical examination, silence, and notification of a relative. At the end of the custody period, the prosecutor must either release the person or bring them before a judge for a decision on pretrial detention (tutuklama). All gozalti events are recorded in UYAP and the custody clock is tracked automatically.

H

• Haciz
  English: Attachment / Seizure
  The formal seizure of a debtor's assets by an Execution Office to satisfy a liquidated debt, regulated by the Enforcement and Bankruptcy Act (IIK, No. 2004). Haciz can be applied to bank accounts, wages (within statutory limits), receivables, movables, vehicles, and real property. Seizure orders are executed by the Execution Office through its liaison with banks, the land registry, and the vehicle registry. Most real-world enforcement attempts in Turkey involve some form of haciz. Translators should distinguish haciz (attachment to satisfy) from ihtiyati haciz (precautionary attachment before judgment).
• HAGB
  English: Deferment of Pronouncement of Judgment
  Short for "Hukmun Aciklanmasinin Geri Birakilmasi," a criminal-law mechanism under CMK Article 231. If a defendant is sentenced to two years or less of imprisonment and meets other criteria (no prior intentional conviction, consent, and a likelihood of not reoffending), the court may defer the announcement of judgment for a five-year supervision period. If the defendant commits no intentional offense during that period, the judgment is deemed never to have been entered. HAGB is one of the most consequential concepts in Turkish criminal practice and has no precise U.S. equivalent; the closest analogs are deferred adjudication or a withheld judgment.
• Hakim
  English: Judge
  A judicial officer appointed under the Judges and Prosecutors Act (No. 2802), selected following examinations administered by the Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSK). Hakimler have independence and tenure protections under the Constitution. In UYAP, judges sign every document they issue with an e-imza; the signature chain supports later verification of authenticity. Collective bodies like the Agir Ceza Mahkemesi use the term heyet (panel) for the three-judge composition.
• Harc
  English: Court Fee / Judicial Fee
  A state fee paid for judicial acts, filings, and enforcement, regulated by the Fees Act (No. 492). Different harclar apply to case filings (basvurma harci), judgment harci (karar harci), appeal harclari, and execution harclari. Fees are typically calculated based on the subject-matter value of the case, with partial relief available for low-income litigants. UYAP automatically computes applicable fees and flags shortfalls; cases filed with insufficient fees are given a specific period to cure the deficiency before being dismissed for procedural reasons.

I

• Icra
  English: Enforcement / Execution
  The body of law and institutions governing the coercive collection of debts and enforcement of court judgments, regulated by the Enforcement and Bankruptcy Act (IIK, No. 2004). "Icra" also refers colloquially to the Execution Office itself. Turkey's enforcement system is handled by specialized Execution Offices (Icra Mudurlugu) staffed by public officers under the supervision of Civil Execution Courts (Icra Hukuk Mahkemesi). Enforcement proceedings are among the most common matters foreign counsel encounter, particularly in connection with unpaid commercial invoices and dishonored checks.
• Icra Takibi
  English: Enforcement Proceeding (Individual Case)
  A specific enforcement case opened against a debtor in an Execution Office, either based on a final court judgment (ilamli icra) or, for undisputed monetary claims, without a prior judgment (ilamsiz icra). Once the creditor files an application and pays the advance, the Execution Office issues a payment order (odeme emri) to the debtor. Failure to object within the statutory period makes the proceeding final and enables asset seizure. Every icra takibi has its own docket number and is tracked through Icra.Net.
• Icra Mudurlugu
  English: Execution Office / Enforcement Bureau
  The administrative body that carries out enforcement proceedings, headed by the Icra Muduru (Execution Director). Istanbul alone has over one hundred Execution Offices, each handling tens of thousands of files. Offices issue payment orders, seize assets, conduct auctions, and distribute proceeds among creditors. They are supervised judicially by the Civil Execution Court. For English translation, "Execution Office" (preferred) and "Enforcement Bureau" are both in common use.
• Icra Muduru
  English: Execution Director
  The public officer in charge of an Execution Office. The Icra Muduru is not a judge but exercises significant discretion over enforcement acts: issuing payment orders, ordering asset seizures, scheduling auctions, and distributing proceeds. Decisions of the Icra Muduru may be challenged before the Civil Execution Court. In practice, the quality and responsiveness of an Icra Muduru can materially affect how quickly a creditor collects.
• Icra Hukuk Mahkemesi
  English: Civil Execution Court
  A specialized court that hears civil disputes arising in enforcement proceedings, such as objections to debt (itiraz), requests to suspend execution, and claims by third parties over seized property (istihkak davasi). Icra Hukuk courts operate on accelerated timelines and apply simplified procedures. The companion criminal jurisdiction for enforcement-related offenses (for example, failing to surrender assets) sits in the Icra Ceza Mahkemesi.
• Icra Ceza Mahkemesi
  English: Criminal Execution Court
  Handles enforcement-related criminal offenses defined in the Enforcement and Bankruptcy Act, such as concealment of assets from creditors, fraudulent transfer, and breach of obligations toward the Execution Office. Unlike the Asliye Ceza Mahkemesi, it deals only with the narrow category of enforcement offenses. Its docket overlaps heavily with civil execution files because the same debtor may be facing both coercive collection and criminal liability.
• Icra.Net
  English: UYAP Execution Portal
  UYAP's dedicated portal for enforcement proceedings, serving Execution Offices, attorneys, and parties. Attorneys can initiate new enforcement files, review debtor assets (subject to authorization), deposit and withdraw advances, and monitor seizure progress. For foreign creditors attempting to collect from Turkish debtors, work happens either directly through Icra.Net (via Turkish counsel) or through the Avukat Portal.
• Ihtarname
  English: Formal Notice / Notice of Demand
  A written notice delivered through a notary that formally warns the recipient of a legal claim or demand. Ihtarnameler are commonly used to start the running of interest, terminate contracts, demand performance, or establish default for later litigation. Because an ihtarname is delivered through a notary, there is a reliable record of both content and service - a feature that strengthens later evidentiary use. In commercial disputes with a Turkish party, a received ihtarname often signals that litigation is imminent.
• Ihtiyati Haciz
  English: Precautionary Attachment
  A pre-judgment attachment order issued to protect a creditor whose monetary claim is at risk. Governed by IIK Articles 257-268, ihtiyati haciz requires a court order and ordinarily a security deposit by the applicant. Once granted, the creditor has ten days to convert the measure into a regular enforcement proceeding. Ihtiyati haciz is a powerful pre-litigation tool frequently used in commercial cases involving suspected asset dissipation.
• Ihtiyati Tedbir
  English: Interim Injunction / Preliminary Measure
  A provisional measure protecting the applicant's rights during litigation, regulated by HMK Articles 389-399. Unlike ihtiyati haciz (which is limited to monetary claims), ihtiyati tedbir is available for broader categories of rights - intellectual property, employment, family, and real property disputes. Common forms include freezing registry entries, suspending disputed resolutions, and restraining a party from specified acts. Applicants must typically post security, and interim measures are subject to strict appeal rules.
• Ilamli Icra
  English: Execution Based on a Judgment
  Enforcement proceedings founded on a court judgment (ilam) or an equivalent document treated as a judgment under the law, such as an arbitration award recognized in Turkey, a notary-certified settlement, or an annotated mediation agreement. Ilamli icra proceeds on an accelerated timeline and affords the debtor fewer grounds for objection than ilamsiz icra. For foreign creditors, obtaining a recognition decision for a foreign judgment is a prerequisite to opening ilamli icra in Turkey.
• Ilamsiz Icra
  English: Execution Without Judgment
  Enforcement proceedings filed directly against a debtor without a pre-existing court judgment, available only for monetary claims. Upon filing, the Execution Office sends a payment order; the debtor has seven days to pay or object. A timely objection halts the proceeding until the creditor obtains a judicial determination of validity (itirazin iptali davasi or itirazin kaldirilmasi talebi). Ilamsiz icra is the workhorse of Turkish debt collection, particularly for small-value receivables and check enforcement.
• Is Mahkemesi
  English: Labor Court
  A specialized civil court hearing disputes between employees and employers, including claims for severance pay (kidem tazminati), notice pay (ihbar tazminati), unfair dismissal (ise iade), overtime, and workplace accident compensation. Labor disputes generally require mediation as a precondition to filing. Istanbul, Ankara, and other major provinces maintain dedicated Is Mahkemeleri; elsewhere Civil Courts of First Instance hear labor cases in a labor-court capacity.
• Istinaf
  English: Intermediate Appeal
  The second-tier appeal to a Regional Court of Appeals (Bolge Adliye Mahkemesi), available against most first-instance decisions. Istinaf review extends to both the facts and the law - unlike temyiz, which is limited to legal errors. The istinaf deadline is typically two weeks from notification of the reasoned decision. Introduced in 2016, istinaf added a genuine intermediate appellate level between trial courts and the Court of Cassation, reducing the latter's caseload. Translators should avoid rendering istinaf simply as "appeal" without qualification, since Turkish law distinguishes clearly between istinaf (intermediate appeal) and temyiz (cassation).
• Itiraz
  English: Objection / Challenge
  A procedural challenge filed at the same level of jurisdiction rather than escalating to a higher court. In enforcement, the debtor's "itiraz" to a payment order stays the proceeding until resolution. In criminal matters, certain interlocutory decisions are subject to itiraz before peer courts. Itiraz is distinct from istinaf and temyiz, which are appeals to higher courts; careful translators mark this difference to avoid confusing readers about the appellate posture.
• Idare Mahkemesi
  English: Administrative Court
  First-instance administrative court hearing suits against administrative acts and actions (cancellation claims, full jurisdiction claims for damages from administrative action). Regulated by the Administrative Procedure Act (No. 2577). Decisions go up to Regional Administrative Courts (Bolge Idare Mahkemesi) and ultimately to the Council of State (Danistay). Foreign investors challenging regulatory decisions, permit denials, or administrative sanctions typically litigate first before an Idare Mahkemesi.

K

• Karar
  English: Court Decision / Judgment
  Any binding ruling issued by a court, from procedural orders to final judgments. The Turkish system distinguishes between the short judgment (kisa karar) pronounced at the hearing and the reasoned decision (gerekceli karar) issued later with full analysis. Every karar is assigned a unique karar numarasi that pairs with the esas numarasi. Translators of Turkish judgments should preserve both numbers for citation purposes.
• KEP
  English: Registered Electronic Mail
  Short for "Kayitli Elektronik Posta," Turkey's legally binding email system in which the identities of sender and recipient are verified and message integrity is cryptographically protected. KEP addresses are issued by licensed providers (primarily PTT) and carry the same legal effect as registered mail. KEP is the backbone of the e-tebligat system and is also widely used for commercial notifications, formal demands, and corporate filings. A KEP message and its attachments form admissible evidence of timely notice in Turkish courts.

M

• Mahkeme
  English: Court
  A judicial body exercising authority over specific case types. Turkish courts are organized by jurisdiction (civil, criminal, administrative, tax), by subject matter (family, labor, consumer, commercial, intellectual property, enforcement), and by level (first instance, regional appeal, cassation). When translating addresses and filing captions, preserve the precise Turkish mahkeme name (e.g., "Istanbul 5. Asliye Hukuk Mahkemesi") rather than generic rendering, as each is a distinct judicial office.
• Mazeret Dilekcesi
  English: Petition for Excused Absence
  A written request explaining why a party or attorney cannot attend a scheduled hearing, filed through UYAP in advance. Valid grounds include illness, prior hearing conflict, force majeure, and - for attorneys - appearing at another court on the same day. The presiding judge rules on the request; if granted, the hearing is postponed. Foreign lawyers coordinating with Turkish counsel often need to understand this mechanism because a denied mazeret can result in evidence being closed or a default judgment.
• MERNIS
  English: Central Civil Registration System
  Short for "Merkezi Nufus Idare Sistemi," the national civil registry operated by the Directorate General of Population and Citizenship Affairs. MERNIS holds official data on births, deaths, marriages, citizenship, and residence, and is integrated with UYAP so that courts can verify identity and service addresses in real time. MERNIS queries are the reason Turkish courts can almost always locate a party's registered address for service purposes.
• Mobil Imza
  English: Mobile Signature
  A SIM-card-based qualified electronic signature that produces the same legal effect as an e-imza. Turkish mobile carriers (Turkcell, Vodafone, Turk Telekom) issue mobile signatures that can be used with UYAP and other e-government services. For attorneys who travel frequently, mobil imza serves as a portable alternative to a USB-token-based e-imza, allowing filings from a smartphone.
• Muvekkil
  English: Client
  The person or entity represented by an attorney. The muvekkil-avukat relationship is created by executing a vekaletname before a notary. In UYAP, attorneys can only access files for which they hold a valid, registered vekaletname. Foreign clients often execute vekaletname at a Turkish consulate abroad, with apostille or consular certification depending on the jurisdiction.

N

• Noter
  English: Notary Public
  A public officer authorized to authenticate documents, draft and certify deeds, administer oaths, issue ihtarname (formal notices), and register powers of attorney (vekaletname). Turkish noterler operate within a statutorily regulated framework (Notaries Act, No. 1512) and maintain their own UYAP-integrated portal. Because most vekaletname originate from noterler, the notary system is a critical entry point into the Turkish legal process. In translating Turkish documents, keep in mind that Turkish noterler have broader authority than many common-law notaries public.

P

• Police
  English: Bill of Exchange
  A three-party negotiable instrument under the Turkish Commercial Code, in which the drawer orders a drawee to pay a specified sum to a payee. Police are less common than checks in Turkish day-to-day commerce but are used in foreign trade, commercial credit arrangements, and certain refinancing transactions. Unpaid police can be the basis for enforcement through Execution Offices like any other negotiable instrument.

S

• Savci
  English: Public Prosecutor
  A member of the prosecution service, which in Turkey is part of the judiciary (judges and prosecutors share a single career track supervised by the HSK). Savcilar investigate crimes, direct law enforcement, and file indictments (iddianame) before the criminal courts. They also represent the public interest in certain civil proceedings, such as those involving capacity, adoption, and bankruptcy. The title "Cumhuriyet Savcisi" (Republic Prosecutor) reflects the role's constitutional character.
• SEGBIS
  English: Audio-Video Information System
  Short for "Ses ve Goruntu Bilisim Sistemi," the UYAP module for remote hearings and testimony via video conferencing. SEGBIS allows parties, witnesses, experts, and attorneys in one jurisdiction to appear at hearings being conducted elsewhere, significantly reducing the need to transport prisoners, fly witnesses, or dispatch counsel between provinces. Foreign witnesses can testify in Turkish proceedings through SEGBIS when arrangements are made through diplomatic channels or bilateral judicial assistance treaties. SEGBIS usage accelerated sharply during 2020-2021 and has remained a permanent fixture of Turkish court practice.
• Senet
  English: Negotiable Note / Promissory Note
  A broad category of negotiable instruments under the Turkish Commercial Code, most commonly referring to promissory notes (bono) but also encompassing other paper. Senet is frequently used in commercial practice as a form of trade credit and is a common basis for ilamsiz icra proceedings when payment is not made at maturity. Translators should determine the specific type of senet in context (bono, cek, or police) rather than relying on the generic term.
• SGK
  English: Social Security Institution
  Short for "Sosyal Guvenlik Kurumu," Turkey's unified social insurance administrator, responsible for retirement, disability, survivor benefits, health insurance, and workplace accident coverage. SGK is integrated with UYAP for wage seizure calculations, insurance status checks in labor cases, and verification of employer registrations. Disputes with SGK are heard by the Labor Court (Is Mahkemesi) sitting with SGK-specific jurisdiction.
• Sulh Hukuk Mahkemesi
  English: Civil Magistrate Court
  A civil court of limited jurisdiction handling specific matters assigned by statute, including tenancy disputes (under limits set by HMK), guardianship and conservatorship, inventory of estates, partition of inherited real estate, and some provisional measures. Sulh Hukuk operates with a single judge and applies a simplified written procedure for qualifying cases. In English materials, "Civil Magistrate Court" is the most widely accepted translation.

T

• Tahkim
  English: Arbitration
  Private dispute resolution under an arbitration agreement, regulated domestically by HMK Articles 407-444 and internationally by the International Arbitration Act (No. 4686). Turkey is a party to the New York Convention, and foreign arbitral awards are generally enforceable through a streamlined recognition procedure. Popular seats include Istanbul Arbitration Center (ISTAC) and the ICC. Tahkim is often chosen in commercial contracts with an international dimension to avoid Turkish court proceedings.
• TBB
  English: Union of Turkish Bar Associations
  Short for "Turkiye Barolar Birligi," the federal umbrella body for Turkey's 81 provincial bar associations. TBB represents the legal profession at the national level, issues guidelines on ethics and minimum fees, and participates in legislative drafting affecting the practice of law. The TBB website offers searchable attorney directories useful for verifying the registration of Turkish counsel.
• Tebellug
  English: Receipt of Notification
  The act of formally receiving and acknowledging a tebligat. In paper notifications, the recipient's signature on the notification slip constitutes tebellug; in e-tebligat, opening or failing to open the electronic notification within the statutory period triggers deemed tebellug. The date of tebellug is the anchor point for procedural deadlines such as the appeal window and response period. Attorneys track tebellug dates with close attention because missing a deadline starting from tebellug can foreclose later remedies.
• Tebligat
  English: Legal Notification / Service of Process
  The official delivery of judicial or administrative documents to a party, regulated by the Notifications Act (No. 7201). Tebligat can be paper (delivered by PTT or a court officer) or electronic (e-tebligat). Proper tebligat is a prerequisite for many deadlines to begin running; defective tebligat can provide grounds to extend or reopen a deadline. For foreign parties without a Turkish address, tebligat ordinarily proceeds through the Hague Service Convention or applicable bilateral treaty.
• Tefhim
  English: Pronouncement of Judgment
  The oral announcement of a court decision in open court at the conclusion of a hearing. The short form of the judgment (kisa karar) is tefhim-ed, and a full reasoned decision (gerekceli karar) follows in writing within one month. Whether the appeal period runs from tefhim or from later notification of the reasoned decision depends on procedural rules and case type, and this distinction can be outcome-determinative on appeal.
• Temyiz
  English: Final Appeal / Cassation
  The final appeal to the Court of Cassation (Yargitay) for civil and criminal matters, or to the Council of State (Danistay) for administrative matters. Unlike istinaf, temyiz is limited to questions of law: whether the Regional Court of Appeals correctly applied substantive and procedural law. Not every case qualifies for temyiz - statutory thresholds exclude many small-value disputes. If the high court finds error, it typically remands (bozma) rather than re-deciding the facts. Turkish temyiz is closest in function to U.S. federal certiorari combined with error-correction appellate review.
• Tensip Zapti
  English: Initial Scheduling Order
  The first procedural memorandum issued by a judge after a case is filed, setting out the case schedule, document-exchange deadlines, initial rulings on preliminary matters, and the first hearing date. In UYAP, tensip zapti is issued in UDF format and signed with an e-imza. For attorneys receiving a case file for the first time, the tensip zapti is often the most important document to read because it defines the litigation's early roadmap.
• Ticaret Mahkemesi
  English: Commercial Court
  A specialized civil court hearing commercial disputes under the Turkish Commercial Code. Cases involve corporate governance, share disputes, bills of exchange, carriage of goods, maritime and aviation contracts, and insurance claims. Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir maintain dedicated Ticaret Mahkemeleri; elsewhere Civil Courts of First Instance hear commercial cases in a commercial capacity. Mediation is generally a precondition to filing monetary commercial claims.
• Tuketici Mahkemesi
  English: Consumer Court
  A specialized court for consumer disputes under the Consumer Protection Act (No. 6502). For claims below statutory thresholds, consumers must first proceed before the Consumer Arbitration Committee (Tuketici Hakem Heyeti); higher-value disputes proceed directly to the Tuketici Mahkemesi. Court decisions in consumer cases are generally subject to simplified appeal rules favorable to consumers, including exemption from certain fees.

U

• UDF
  English: UYAP Document Format
  The proprietary file format (.udf extension) used by the UYAP Document Editor to save legal documents - petitions, decisions, hearing minutes, indictments, expert reports. Internally a ZIP archive of XML content, UDF preserves rich formatting, tables, embedded signatures, and Turkish characters. UDF files cannot be opened by standard word processors or PDF readers; dedicated conversion is required. For foreign recipients who cannot install the UYAP Document Editor, a free browser-based converter is available at convertudftopdf.com. See also our What is UDF? and UDF to PDF conversion guides.
• UYAP
  English: National Judiciary Informatics System
  Short for "Ulusal Yargi Agi Platformu," Turkey's comprehensive e-justice system developed by the Ministry of Justice. UYAP integrates courts, prosecutors' offices, enforcement offices, notaries, bar associations, and affiliated public institutions into a single digital workflow. It handles case filings, document generation, electronic signatures, electronic notifications (e-tebligat), remote hearings (SEGBIS), fee collection, and archive management. With over 200,000 active users and access for more than 85 million citizens through e-Devlet, UYAP is one of the largest e-justice platforms in the world. For a full overview, see our UYAP Guide.

V

• Vatandas Portal
  English: Citizen Portal (UYAP)
  UYAP's public-facing portal for citizens to query their own cases, submit petitions, and retrieve documents. Access requires either an e-Devlet login or direct UYAP credentials. Citizens can track the progress of a case, view upcoming hearing dates, read rulings (once public-facing), and receive e-tebligat notifications. While not as feature-rich as the Avukat Portal, Vatandas Portal is a significant transparency measure that gives non-lawyer parties direct access to their case information.
• Vekalet
  English: Power of Attorney (Concept)
  The underlying authority granted by a client to a lawyer to act on the client's behalf. Vekalet encompasses both the principal-agent relationship and its scope (e.g., authority to settle, to withdraw a case, to receive payment). General vekalet covers routine representation; special vekalet is required for specific acts such as filing a criminal complaint or consenting to a settlement that involves waiving rights. The written instrument documenting vekalet is the vekaletname.
• Vekaletname
  English: Power of Attorney (Document)
  The notarized written instrument by which a client (muvekkil) authorizes an attorney (avukat) to represent them. Executed before a Turkish notary (or, for clients abroad, at a Turkish consulate or through apostille-authenticated documents), the vekaletname lists the attorney's authorized acts and is uploaded to UYAP so that the attorney's access to the case file can be validated. A special vekaletname (ozel vekaletname) is required for particular acts such as criminal complaint, settlement waiving substantive rights, or withdrawal. Foreign clients frequently need to execute a vekaletname with specific clauses dictated by Turkish procedural law to give Turkish counsel full operational authority.

Y

• Yargitay
  English: Court of Cassation
  Turkey's highest court for civil and criminal cases (excluding military and administrative matters). Seated in Ankara, Yargitay exercises cassation review on points of law, organized into specialized chambers (daire) by subject matter. Its role in unifying case law is reinforced through Court-of-Cassation Unification of Jurisprudence Decisions (Ictihadi Birlestirme Kararlari), which are binding on lower courts. Practitioners commonly consult Yargitay decisions as persuasive authority, and high-value commercial or complex criminal matters almost always reach Yargitay on final appeal.

Z

• Zaman Damgasi
  English: Timestamp
  A cryptographic record, issued by a qualified timestamp authority, certifying the moment at which a document existed in a specific form. In UYAP, zaman damgasi is attached to documents signed with an e-imza so that both identity and time are independently verifiable. For documents used in litigation or enforcement, the timestamp forestalls later disputes about antedating or postdating. Under Turkish law, qualified timestamps (nitelikli zaman damgasi) from accredited providers carry evidentiary weight comparable to notarized dating.

Related Guides

• What is UDF? The Turkish UYAP Document Format Explained
• UDF to PDF: How to Convert Turkish Court Documents
• UYAP Guide: Turkey's Digital Judiciary System
• Turkish version of this glossary (150+ terms)