Administrative Lawyer in Istanbul, Turkey

What Is Administrative Law in Türkiye?

Administrative law concerns the organization, powers, procedures and activities of public administration and the legal remedies available when administrative action affects legally protected interests.

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Turkish administrative litigation is principally governed by Law No. 2577 on Administrative Judicial Procedure. The official legislation text identifies disputes falling within the jurisdiction of the Council of State, Regional Administrative Courts, Administrative Courts and Tax Courts and establishes the relevant procedural framework. (Official Turkish legislation)

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The Turkish administrative judicial system is therefore distinct from ordinary civil and criminal jurisdiction.

 

For legal research, clients should prioritize primary sources such as the Turkish Ministry of Justice legislation and case-law database, which provides access to legislation and judicial decisions, including decisions of the Council of State. (UYAP Mevzuat)

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Why Administrative Law Matters for Individuals and Businesses

A decision made by a Turkish administrative authority can affect:

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• Property rights

• Business operations

• Licenses

• Permits

• Professional activities

• Investment projects

• Construction and development

• Immigration status

• Tax liabilities

• Customs matters

• Public procurement

• Regulatory compliance

• Environmental obligations

• Municipal activities

• Administrative penalties

• Government contracts

• Public employment

 

An administrative dispute may therefore have consequences extending well beyond the immediate government decision.

 

A business whose license is suspended, an investor whose project approval is refused, a property owner affected by a planning decision or a foreign national facing an adverse immigration decision may all need to assess administrative-law remedies.

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Administrative Law Services in Istanbul

Kurucuk & Associates assists clients with a broad range of Turkish administrative-law matters.

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Administrative Litigation

We advise and represent clients in disputes concerning potentially unlawful administrative acts and proceedings.

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The legal assessment may include:

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• Jurisdiction

• Competence

• Procedure

• Form

• Legal grounds

• Evidence

• Purpose

• Subject matter

• Notification

• Statutory deadlines

• Available remedies

 

Under Article 2 of Law No. 2577, administrative litigation includes annulment actions and full remedy actions, subject to the requirements established by Turkish law. The official text of the legislation can be consulted through the General Directorate of Revenue Administration legislation database.

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Annulment Actions

An annulment action may be available where an administrative act is alleged to be unlawful.

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Turkish administrative law specifically recognizes challenges based on matters including the authority of the administration, form, grounds, subject matter and purpose.

 

The precise legal grounds must be determined from the facts and the governing legislation.

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Full Remedy Actions

Where administrative conduct has caused legally compensable damage, a full remedy action may become relevant.

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The distinction between annulment proceedings and compensation-oriented administrative litigation is important because the legal requirements and strategic considerations can differ.

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Administrative Fines and Sanctions

Public authorities may impose administrative fines or other sanctions where legislation grants them such powers.

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Before challenging a sanction, our lawyers can review:

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• The statutory basis

• The issuing authority

• The factual allegations

• Evidence

• Investigation records

• Notification

• Procedural compliance

• Applicable objection mechanisms

• Litigation deadlines

• Potential financial consequences

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Permits and Licenses

Many sectors in Türkiye operate within regulatory frameworks requiring government permissions, licenses, registrations or approvals.

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We assist with legal issues concerning administrative approvals and adverse decisions affecting:

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• Commercial operations

• Construction

• Real estate

• Professional activities

• Regulated industries

• Investments

• Municipal services

• Sector-specific licensing

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Municipal and Local Government Disputes

Administrative disputes may involve municipalities and other local administrative bodies.

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Potential matters include:

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• Zoning plans

• Development plans

• Construction-related decisions

• Building measures

• Demolition decisions

• Municipal licenses

• Planning restrictions

• Land-use decisions

• Local regulatory measures

 

Because municipal disputes may involve technical planning documents as well as legal questions, an effective case assessment should consider the complete administrative record.

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Administrative Courts in Türkiye

Turkish administrative jurisdiction includes several levels and types of courts.

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Administrative Courts

Administrative Courts generally hear administrative disputes falling within their statutory jurisdiction.

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Tax Courts

Tax Courts deal with disputes assigned to them under Turkish law, particularly matters arising from tax administration and related public-law obligations.

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Regional Administrative Courts

Regional Administrative Courts perform important appellate functions within the administrative judiciary.

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Council of State — Danıştay

The Council of State (Danıştay) is a central institution of Turkish administrative justice.

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Law No. 2575 defines the Council of State as the Republic of Türkiye's high administrative court and also assigns it advisory and review functions. (Official Law No. 2575)

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The Turkish Constitution also provides for the Council of State's role in reviewing decisions and judgments of administrative courts and specifies circumstances in which it acts as a court of first and last instance. (Constitution of the Republic of Türkiye)

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The official Council of State website provides information concerning the institution, its chambers, decisions, publications and judicial activities.

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Clients can also use the Council of State case-file inquiry system to access the official case-search interface where applicable.

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Law No. 2577 and Administrative Judicial Procedure

Law No. 2577 is one of the most important statutes for anyone involved in Turkish administrative litigation.

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The legislation regulates matters including:

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• Types of administrative cases

• Jurisdiction

• Filing procedures

• Petitions

• Procedural periods

• Evidence

• Hearings

• Appeals

• Stay of execution

• Court decisions

• Enforcement of judgments

 

The official text is available through the Turkish Revenue Administration's legislation database.

 

For the most current legislation and case-law, the UYAP Mevzuat system should also be consulted. The official UYAP system currently provides access to extensive legislation and case-law databases, including hundreds of thousands of Council of State decisions. (UYAP Mevzuat)

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Administrative Litigation Deadlines

One of the most important practical issues in an administrative dispute is timing.

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An individual or company should not assume that an administrative decision can be challenged indefinitely.

 

The applicable period may depend on:

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• The type of administrative act

• The applicable statute

• How and when the decision was notified

• Whether an administrative application was made

• Whether a special statutory procedure applies

• The competent court

• The particular legal remedy

 

For this reason, anyone receiving an adverse administrative decision should have the document reviewed promptly.

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Do not calculate an administrative litigation deadline solely from an online article. The original decision, notification and complete procedural history should be examined by a Turkish lawyer.

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Stay of Execution in Administrative Litigation

In certain circumstances, a client may seek a stay of execution (yürütmenin durdurulması) while an administrative case is pending.

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This remedy can be particularly important where implementing an administrative act before the litigation is resolved could create serious consequences.

 

The requirements for such relief are governed by Turkish administrative procedural law and should be assessed according to the particular case.

 

The Constitutional Court's published materials concerning Law No. 2577 provide useful official discussion of the statutory framework governing stay-of-execution requests. (Constitutional Court decision materials)

 

A stay of execution is not automatic merely because an administrative lawsuit has been filed. The court must assess the statutory requirements.

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Administrative Decisions and the Principle of Legality

Public authorities do not possess unlimited powers.

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Administrative action must have a legal basis and remain within the powers granted to the relevant authority.

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When reviewing an administrative decision, lawyers may therefore ask:

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Was the Authority Competent?

The decision must be issued by the legally competent administrative authority.

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Was the Correct Procedure Followed?

Procedural requirements can be legally significant.

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Was There a Sufficient Legal and Factual Basis?

The administration's reasoning and factual basis may need to be assessed against the governing legislation.

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Was the Decision Within the Scope of the Authority's Powers?

An administrative authority cannot simply create powers for itself where legislation does not provide them.

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Was the Administrative Purpose Lawful?

The purpose for which administrative power was exercised can form part of judicial review.

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These issues are particularly important in annulment proceedings.

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Administrative Investigations

Administrative investigations can arise in numerous regulated sectors.

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A company or individual may receive an investigation notice, request for documents, inspection, administrative inquiry or sanction proposal.

 

Our administrative lawyers can assist with:

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• Reviewing investigation notices

• Assessing the legal authority of the administration

• Reviewing evidence

• Preparing responses

• Identifying procedural issues

• Communicating with authorities

• Assessing possible sanctions

• Developing litigation strategy where appropriate

 

Early involvement can help clients understand the potential consequences before the administrative process reaches a later stage.

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Public Procurement Disputes

Public procurement is an important area of administrative law because public purchasing decisions are subject to specific statutory and regulatory frameworks.

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Businesses may encounter disputes concerning:

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• Tender specifications

• Eligibility requirements

• Bid evaluation

• Exclusion from tenders

• Procurement decisions

• Administrative review

• Contract-related administrative measures

 

Companies participating in Turkish public procurement should obtain advice promptly when a potentially adverse decision is received because procurement procedures can involve strict and specialized deadlines.

 

The Public Procurement Authority (Kamu İhale Kurumu) is an important official source for Turkish public procurement information and regulations.

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Competition and Administrative Law

Competition regulation can also involve administrative decision-making.

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The Turkish Competition Authority is the official institution responsible for enforcing Turkish competition legislation.

 

Administrative-law issues can arise in connection with regulatory decisions, investigations, sanctions and judicial review of administrative decisions.

 

Where a competition matter also involves administrative litigation, the case may require coordination between competition-law and administrative-law analysis.

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Tax Administrative Disputes

Tax disputes can involve administrative decisions, assessments, penalties and collection measures.

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The Turkish Revenue Administration (Gelir İdaresi Başkanlığı) provides official information concerning Turkish tax administration and legislation.

 

The Tax Courts operate within the administrative judicial system, and the applicable remedy depends on the nature of the tax dispute.

 

Because tax litigation has specialized rules and deadlines, clients should obtain advice from lawyers experienced in both administrative procedure and the relevant tax legislation.

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Customs and Foreign Trade Administration

Importers, exporters and international businesses may encounter administrative disputes involving customs and foreign trade authorities.

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Potential issues can involve:

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• Customs assessments

• Administrative penalties

• Import restrictions

• Export controls

• Classification disputes

• Customs valuation

• Regulatory compliance

• Administrative decisions affecting international trade

 

The Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Türkiye is the official government source for Turkish trade policy, customs and foreign trade information.

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Immigration-Related Administrative Decisions

Foreign nationals in Türkiye can face administrative decisions affecting their legal position.

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These may involve:

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• Residence permits

• Removal decisions

• Entry restrictions

• Immigration procedures

• Administrative detention

• International protection

• Other decisions by competent migration authorities

 

The Presidency of Migration Management is the official Turkish government authority providing information concerning migration and international protection.

 

An immigration application and an administrative challenge against an adverse immigration decision are not necessarily the same legal process. The applicable remedy should be identified from the actual decision received.

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Real Estate, Planning and Zoning Administration

Property investors and developers can encounter administrative-law issues involving:

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• Zoning plans

• Planning amendments

• Construction permissions

• Municipal decisions

• Development restrictions

• Demolition orders

• Land-use decisions

• Public-law restrictions affecting property

 

These disputes may require examination of planning documents, municipal decisions, land records, technical reports and relevant legislation.

 

For official land and cadastral information, the General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre (TKGM) is an important government source.

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Environmental Administrative Matters

Businesses operating in sectors with environmental obligations may interact with public authorities concerning permits, inspections, environmental compliance and administrative sanctions.

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The Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change is the official government source for environmental, urban planning and related regulatory matters.

 

Where an environmental decision affects a business or project, the legality of the administrative act and available remedies should be examined separately from the underlying technical or environmental issues.

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Energy and Other Regulated Industries

Highly regulated sectors can generate administrative disputes involving licenses, permits, regulatory decisions, inspections and sanctions.

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Depending on the industry, official regulatory authorities may include:

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• Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDK)

• Information and Communications Technologies Authority (BTK)

• Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BDDK)

• Capital Markets Board of Türkiye (SPK)

• Personal Data Protection Authority (KVKK)

• Turkish Competition Authority

 

Each regulator operates under its own statutory framework. A legal dispute involving a regulated industry should therefore be analyzed with reference to the specific sector legislation and regulatory decisions.

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Administrative Law and Personal Data Protection

Regulatory decisions concerning personal data may also have an administrative dimension.

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The Personal Data Protection Authority provides official information concerning Türkiye's Personal Data Protection Law and regulatory framework.

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Companies facing regulatory action should distinguish between:

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1. The underlying compliance issue;

2. The administrative decision;

3. Available administrative remedies; and

4. Potential judicial review.

 

This distinction can be important when developing a litigation strategy.

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Administrative Law and Financial Regulation

Banks, financial institutions, investment companies and other regulated entities may be subject to decisions of specialized regulatory authorities.

For banking matters, the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency is an official source of regulatory information.

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For capital markets matters, the Capital Markets Board of Türkiye provides official legislation, announcements and regulatory information.

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Administrative-law advice can become relevant when a regulatory measure, sanction or decision is challenged before the competent administrative courts.

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Administrative Law and Telecommunications

Telecommunications and electronic communications are highly regulated activities in Türkiye.

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The Information and Communications Technologies Authority is the official regulatory institution for electronic communications and related sectors.

 

Businesses operating in telecommunications, technology and digital services may therefore encounter administrative-law issues concerning regulatory decisions, licenses, sanctions and compliance.

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Administrative Law and Public Health Regulation

Businesses operating in pharmaceutical, medical, healthcare and related sectors may interact with multiple public authorities.

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Depending on the matter, administrative decisions may concern:

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• Product authorization

• Licensing

• Inspections

• Regulatory compliance

• Administrative sanctions

• Market access

• Professional regulation

 

The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Türkiye is an important official source for health-sector regulations and institutional information.

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Administrative Law and Professional Licensing

Certain professions and regulated activities require government authorization or professional registration.

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An administrative decision affecting professional status may have serious consequences for an individual.

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Potential disputes may concern:

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• Licensing

• Registration

• Professional discipline

• Administrative sanctions

• Suspension

• Cancellation of authorization

• Regulatory compliance

 

Each profession can be governed by different legislation, so the precise legal framework must be identified before selecting a remedy.

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Administrative Contracts and Government Agreements

Not every government-related contract is treated in exactly the same way as a private commercial agreement.

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Certain agreements involving public services, concessions or governmental functions may be subject to administrative-law principles and specialized statutory rules.

 

The Council of State has constitutionally recognized functions concerning certain public-service concessions and administrative disputes. (Official Constitution materials)

 

Where a contractual dispute involves a public authority, the legal characterization of the agreement should therefore be examined before deciding which court or procedure applies.

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UYAP and Digital Administrative Litigation

Türkiye has developed extensive digital infrastructure for judicial proceedings.

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The UYAP National Judiciary Informatics System provides electronic judicial services, while the official UYAP Mevzuat platform provides access to legislation and case law.

 

In June 2026, the Ministry of Justice also announced an updated UYAP Mevzuat mobile application providing access to current legislation, Presidential decisions, regulations and case law. (Ministry of Justice / UYAP announcement)

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Digital access can make case monitoring and legal research more efficient, but it does not eliminate the need for professional legal assessment.

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The Constitutional Court and Administrative Disputes

Some administrative disputes may ultimately involve constitutional rights.

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The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Türkiye provides official information about constitutional review, individual applications, legislation and leading judgments. (Constitutional Court)

 

An individual application is a specialized constitutional remedy and should not be confused with an ordinary administrative appeal.

 

The Constitutional Court's official resources provide information concerning:

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• Individual applications

• Constitutional review

• Basic legal texts

• Leading judgments

• Application requirements

• Court decisions

 

The Court's official website should be used when researching current constitutional jurisprudence.

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European Convention on Human Rights and Administrative Law

Administrative decisions can, depending on the circumstances, raise issues concerning rights protected under the European Convention on Human Rights.

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The European Court of Human Rights provides official information concerning Convention rights, applications, judgments and procedure.

 

Potential human-rights issues do not automatically create a right to proceed directly to an international court. Domestic remedies and the relevant admissibility requirements must be considered first.

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Administrative Law and the European Union

International businesses operating in Türkiye may also encounter regulatory issues influenced by Türkiye's relationship with the European Union and its international commitments.

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Relevant official information can be found through the European Commission and the European Union Delegation to Türkiye.

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However, whether EU rules directly apply to a particular Turkish administrative dispute depends on the relevant legal framework and facts.

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Official Sources for Researching Turkish Administrative Law

For people researching administrative law in Türkiye, the following official resources can be particularly useful:

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Turkish Legislation and Case Law

The UYAP Mevzuat and Case-Law Database provides access to Turkish legislation and judicial decisions.

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Law No. 2577

The official text of Law No. 2577 on Administrative Judicial Procedure is available through the Turkish Revenue Administration's legislation portal.

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Council of State

The Council of State is the principal high court within the administrative judiciary.

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Administrative Judicial Services

The Ministry of Justice Administrative Judicial Services Department publishes information and announcements concerning the administrative judiciary.

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Constitutional Court

The Constitutional Court provides official constitutional texts, decisions and individual-application resources.

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Ministry of Justice

The Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Türkiye provides information concerning Türkiye's justice system and legal institutions.

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Official Gazette

The Official Gazette of the Republic of Türkiye is an important primary source for newly published legislation, regulations, presidential decisions and other official instruments.

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Parliament

The Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (TBMM) provides official legislative information, parliamentary records and information concerning legislation.

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Migration

The Presidency of Migration Management provides official information concerning immigration and international protection.

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Tax Administration

The Turkish Revenue Administration provides official tax legislation and administrative information.

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Trade and Customs

The Ministry of Trade provides official information concerning trade, customs and foreign economic regulation.

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Public Procurement

The Public Procurement Authority provides official information concerning Turkish public procurement.

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Competition

The Turkish Competition Authority provides official information concerning competition law and regulatory enforcement.

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Banking Regulation

The Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency provides official banking regulatory information.

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Capital Markets

The Capital Markets Board of Türkiye provides official information concerning capital markets regulation.

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Telecommunications

The Information and Communications Technologies Authority provides official regulatory information concerning telecommunications and electronic communications.

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Data Protection

The Personal Data Protection Authority provides official information concerning Türkiye's personal-data protection regime.

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Environment and Urban Planning

The Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change provides official information concerning environmental and urban-planning regulation.

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Land Registry and Cadastre

The General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre provides official institutional and land-registry information.

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How We Assess an Administrative Law Case

At Kurucuk & Associates, an administrative dispute is approached through several questions.

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1. What administrative action has occurred?

We identify the exact decision, measure, omission or administrative process affecting the client.

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2. Which authority issued it?

The identity and statutory powers of the authority can be legally significant.

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3. What legislation applies?

We identify the relevant primary legislation, secondary regulations and sector-specific rules.

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4. What remedy is available?

Depending on the circumstances, the appropriate course may involve an administrative application, objection, annulment action, full remedy action, appeal or another procedure.

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5. What is the deadline?

We identify potentially applicable procedural periods from the actual documents and notification history.

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6. What evidence supports the case?

We review the administrative record and other relevant evidence.

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7. What are the practical consequences?

Legal strategy should take account of the client's commercial, financial, professional or personal objectives.

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Why Choose Kurucuk & Associates for Administrative Law in Istanbul?

Administrative law is a specialized field where procedural precision matters.

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Kurucuk & Associates assists clients by combining:

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• Turkish administrative-law knowledge

• Litigation experience

• Regulatory analysis

• Document-based case assessment

• Strategic legal planning

• English-language communication for international clients

• Coordination with related legal practice areas

 

Our objective is not simply to identify a legal rule. It is to understand how that rule applies to the client's particular administrative problem and to identify a legally available and commercially practical course of action.

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Administrative Lawyer in Istanbul for International Clients

Istanbul is a major commercial and investment center, and international businesses frequently interact with Turkish public institutions.

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Foreign clients may need administrative-law assistance when:

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• Establishing regulated businesses

• Obtaining government approvals

• Developing property

• Applying for permits

• Participating in public procurement

• Responding to regulatory investigations

• Challenging administrative sanctions

• Dealing with immigration authorities

• Resolving municipal disputes

• Protecting investments affected by administrative decisions

 

Kurucuk & Associates provides legal assistance to foreign individuals, investors and companies navigating Turkish administrative procedures.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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What does an administrative lawyer do in Istanbul?

An administrative lawyer advises clients concerning decisions, actions and procedures of Turkish public authorities and may represent them before administrative authorities and courts.

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Can an administrative decision be cancelled by a Turkish court?

Where the statutory requirements are satisfied, an administrative court may annul an unlawful administrative act. The precise grounds and procedure depend on the case.

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What is an annulment action in Turkish law?

An annulment action is a form of administrative litigation seeking judicial cancellation of an administrative act alleged to be unlawful.

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What is a full remedy action?

A full remedy action is an administrative judicial mechanism that may be used where an administrative action or omission has caused compensable damage, subject to the requirements of Turkish law.

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What is the Council of State in Türkiye?

The Council of State, or Danıştay, is a high administrative court with judicial and other functions established under the Turkish Constitution and relevant legislation.

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Can a foreign investor challenge a Turkish administrative decision?

A foreign investor may have administrative-law remedies depending on the nature of the decision, the investor's legal interests and the applicable legislation.

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Can municipalities be sued in administrative court?

Municipal decisions and actions may be subject to administrative judicial review where the applicable legal requirements are satisfied.

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Can an administrative fine be challenged?

Potentially, yes. The available remedy depends on the legal basis, issuing authority, type of sanction and applicable procedural rules.

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Can I ask for a stay of execution?

In appropriate circumstances, a party may request a stay of execution under Turkish administrative procedural law. The statutory requirements must be satisfied.

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Where can I find Turkish administrative legislation?

The official UYAP Mevzuat database and the Official Gazette are important sources for Turkish legislation.

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Where can I find Council of State decisions?

Council of State decisions can be researched through official UYAP resources and the Council of State's official website.

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Is administrative litigation different from civil litigation?

Yes. Administrative litigation operates within a distinct judicial jurisdiction and is governed principally by specialized administrative procedural legislation.

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Contact an Administrative Lawyer in Istanbul

If a Turkish public authority has issued a decision affecting your rights, business, property, investment, professional activity, license, permit or immigration status, obtaining legal advice promptly can help clarify the available options.

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Kurucuk & Associates provides administrative law services in Istanbul for individuals, businesses, investors and international clients.

 

Our experienced lawyers in Istanbul, Turkey can review the relevant administrative decision and supporting documents, identify the applicable legal framework, assess procedural issues and advise on the available legal remedies.